GeForce GTX 1060 vs Quadro 5000

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1060

2016Core: 1607 MHzBoost: 1733 MHz
GTX family
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VS
NVIDIA

Quadro 5000

2011Core: 513 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce GTX 1060 vs Quadro 5000 Performance Spectrum

About G3D Mark

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 Quadro 5000 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 Quadro 5000: 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

  • 282.2% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Costs $2,250 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).
  • Delivers 5045.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 0.8 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).
  • 140% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 3 GB).
  • Quadro 5000 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.
  • 18.4% higher power demand at 180W vs 152W.

Quadro 5000

2011

Why buy it

  • Draws 152W instead of 180W, a 28W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 3 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2011 hardware with 3 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 903.6% HIGHER MSRP
    $2,499 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.8 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($2,499 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 282.2% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 412.7% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 1,963), 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 3 GB of VRAM, a 16nm process instead of 40nm, and a newer 2016 generation instead of 2011. 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 $2,250 cheaper on MSRP at $249 vs $2,499, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 5045.4% (40.4 vs 0.8), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs Quadro 5000 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

Quadro 5000

The Quadro 5000 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 23 2011. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 513 MHz. It has 352 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 152W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,963 points. Launch price was $2,499.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the Quadro 5000's 1,963 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 412.7%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the Quadro 5000 uses Fermi, both on 16 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 352 (Quadro 5000). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 0.7223 TFLOPS (Quadro 5000).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060Quadro 5000
G3D Mark Score
10,064+413%
1,963
Architecture
Pascal
Fermi
Process Node
16 nm
40 nm
Shading Units
2560+627%
352
Compute (TFLOPS)
8.873 TFLOPS+1128%
0.7223 TFLOPS
ROPs
64+60%
40
TMUs
160+264%
44
L1 Cache
960 KB+36%
704 KB
L2 Cache
2 MB+217%
0.63 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 1060 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Quadro 5000 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060Quadro 5000
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB of VRAM, while the Quadro 5000 carries 3 GB. GeForce GTX 1060 gives you 140% 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 Quadro 5000. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 0.63 MB (Quadro 5000) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060Quadro 5000
VRAM Capacity
6 GB+140%
2.5 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
192-bit+200%
64-bit
L2 Cache
2 MB+217%
0.63 MB
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the Quadro 5000's 152W — a 16.9% difference. The Quadro 5000 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 350W (Quadro 5000). Power connectors: 6-pin vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060Quadro 5000
TDP
180W
152W-16%
Recommended PSU
400W
350W-13%
Power Connector
6-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
173mm
Height
111mm
Slots
2
Perf/Watt
55.9+333%
12.9
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1060 came in at $249, while the Quadro 5000 launched at $2499. On MSRP, GeForce GTX 1060 was 90% cheaper ($2250 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 0.8 (Quadro 5000) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 4950% better value. The newer card here is GeForce GTX 1060 (2016 vs 2011).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060Quadro 5000
MSRP
$249-90%
$2499
Performance per Dollar
40.4+4950%
0.8
Codename
GP104
GF100
Release
May 27 2016
February 23 2011
Ranking
#137
#687

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