G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce3 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅10724.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $250 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 403268.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 0.0 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅9423.8% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 65 MB).
✅GeForce3 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce GTX 1060 is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌445.5% higher power demand at 180W vs 33W.

GeForce3

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 33W instead of 180W, a 147W reduction.
✅Measures 165mm instead of 173mm, a 8mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 65 MB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2015 hardware with 65 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌
100.4% HIGHER MSRP
$499 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce GTX 1060 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 10724.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 201180% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 5), so the answer here is pretty clean.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce GTX 1060 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 6 GB vs 65 MB of VRAM, a 16nm process instead of 28nm, and a newer 2016 generation instead of 2015. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce GTX 1060 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $250 cheaper on MSRP at $249 vs $499, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 403268.4% (40.4 vs 0.0), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce3 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

GeForce GTX 1060

The GeForce GTX 1060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 27 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1607 MHz to 1733 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,064 points. Launch price was $599.

GeForce3

The GeForce3 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 928 MHz to 941 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the GeForce3's 5 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 201180%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the GeForce3 uses Maxwell, both on 16 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 384 (GeForce3). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 0.7227 TFLOPS (GeForce3). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 941 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce3
G3D Mark Score	10,064+201180%	5
Architecture	Pascal	Maxwell
Process Node	16 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2560+567%	384
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS+1128%	0.7227 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1733 MHz+84%	941 MHz
ROPs	64+700%	8
TMUs	160+567%	24
L1 Cache	960 KB+400%	192 KB
L2 Cache	2 MB+100%	1 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce3
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce3 carries 65 MB. GeForce GTX 1060 gives you 9423.8% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060 and 64-bit on the GeForce3. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 1 MB (GeForce3) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce3
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+9424%	0.063 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	192-bit+200%	64-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB+100%	1 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 8.1 (GeForce3). Vulkan: 1.3 vs N/A. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 1.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce3
DirectX	12+48%	8.1
Vulkan	1.3	N/A
OpenGL	4.5+246%	1.3
Max Displays	4+100%	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060) vs None (GeForce3). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs None. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060) vs MPEG-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce3).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce3
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	None
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	None
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	MPEG-1,MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the GeForce3's 33W — a 138% difference. The GeForce3 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 350W (GeForce3). Power connectors: 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 173mm vs 165mm, occupying 2 vs 1 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce3
TDP	180W	33W-82%
Recommended PSU	400W	350W-13%
Power Connector	6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	173mm	165mm
Height	111mm	100mm
Slots	2	1-50%
Temp (Load)	—	85
Perf/Watt	55.9+27850%	0.2

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1060 came in at $249, while the GeForce3 launched at $499. On MSRP, GeForce GTX 1060 was 50.1% cheaper ($250 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 0.0 (GeForce3) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 100+% better value. The newer card here is GeForce GTX 1060 (2016 vs 2015).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce3
MSRP	$249-50%	$499
Performance per Dollar	40.4	0.0
Codename	GP104	GM108
Release	May 27 2016	March 13 2015
Ranking	#137	#810

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