GeForce GTX 1060 vs M1 8-Core GPU

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 M1 8-Core GPU 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 M1 8-Core GPU: 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

✅+101.3% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).

Trade-offs

❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌500% higher power demand at 180W vs 30W.

M1 8-Core GPU

2020

Why buy it

✅Better long-term bet: Unknown architecture on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅Draws 30W instead of 180W, a 150W reduction.
✅More future proof: Unknown architecture on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (5,000 vs 10,064).
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce GTX 1060 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 101.3% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 5,000), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.

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

M1 8-Core GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 5nm process instead of 16nm and a newer 2020 generation instead of 2016. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce GTX 1060 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 1060 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, M1 8-Core GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs M1 8-Core GPU 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.

M1 8-Core GPU

The M1 8-Core GPU is manufactured by Apple. It was released in November 10 2020. The core clock speed is 1278 MHz. It has 8 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,000 points.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the M1 8-Core GPU's 5,000 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 101.3%. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 8 (M1 8-Core GPU).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	M1 8-Core GPU
G3D Mark Score	10,064+101%	5,000
Process Node	16 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	2560+31900%	8

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 1060 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The M1 8-Core GPU leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	M1 8-Core GPU
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	Standard

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB of VRAM, while the M1 8-Core GPU carries 2 GB. GeForce GTX 1060 gives you 200% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 68 GB/s (M1 8-Core GPU) — a 182.4% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1060. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060 and Unified on the M1 8-Core GPU.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	M1 8-Core GPU
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+200%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	Shared
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s+182%	68 GB/s
Bus Width	192-bit	Unified

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs N/A (M1 8-Core GPU). OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.1 (Rosetta 2). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	M1 8-Core GPU
DirectX	12	N/A
OpenGL	4.5+10%	4.1 (Rosetta 2)
Max Displays	4+100%	2

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Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060) vs Apple M1 Video Encoder (M1 8-Core GPU). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs Apple M1 Video Decoder. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060) vs H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW (M1 8-Core GPU).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	M1 8-Core GPU
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	Apple M1 Video Encoder
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	Apple M1 Video Decoder
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the M1 8-Core GPU's 30W — a 142.9% difference. The M1 8-Core GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 350W (M1 8-Core GPU). Power connectors: 6-pin vs PCIe-powered.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	M1 8-Core GPU
TDP	180W	30W-83%
Recommended PSU	400W	350W-13%
Power Connector	6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	173mm	—
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	0-100%
Perf/Watt	55.9	166.7+198%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1060 came in at $249, while the M1 8-Core GPU launched at $0. On MSRP, M1 8-Core GPU was 100+% cheaper ($249 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs Infinity (M1 8-Core GPU) — the M1 8-Core GPU offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is M1 8-Core GPU (2020 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	M1 8-Core GPU
MSRP	$249	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	40.4	Infinity
Codename	GP104	—
Release	May 27 2016	November 10 2020
Ranking	#137	#428

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