GeForce GTX 1060 vs Quadro FX 3500

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 FX 3500 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 FX 3500: 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

✅1766.2% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $1,350 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 24287.9% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 0.2 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅2300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 256 MB).
✅Quadro FX 3500 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.

Quadro FX 3500

2008

Why buy it

✅Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 256 MB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2008 hardware with 256 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌
542.2% HIGHER MSRP
$1,599 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.2 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($1,599 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 1766.2% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 3697.7% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 265), 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 256 MB of VRAM, a 16nm process instead of 55nm, and a newer 2016 generation instead of 2008. 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 $1,350 cheaper on MSRP at $249 vs $1,599, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 24287.9% (40.4 vs 0.2), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs Quadro FX 3500 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.

Quadro FX 3500

The Quadro FX 3500 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in November 11 2008. It features the Tesla 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 610 MHz. It has 240 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 189W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 265 points. Launch price was $3,499.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the Quadro FX 3500's 265 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 3697.7%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the Quadro FX 3500 uses Tesla 2.0, both on 16 nm vs 55 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 240 (Quadro FX 3500). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 0.6221 TFLOPS (Quadro FX 3500).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro FX 3500
G3D Mark Score	10,064+3698%	265
Architecture	Pascal	Tesla 2.0
Process Node	16 nm	55 nm
Shading Units	2560+967%	240
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS+1326%	0.6221 TFLOPS
ROPs	64+100%	32
TMUs	160+100%	80
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	0.25 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 1060 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Quadro FX 3500 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro FX 3500
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 FX 3500 carries 256 MB. GeForce GTX 1060 gives you 2300% 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 FX 3500. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 0.25 MB (Quadro FX 3500) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro FX 3500
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+2300%	0.25 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	192-bit+200%	64-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	0.25 MB

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the Quadro FX 3500's 189W — a 4.9% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 350W (Quadro FX 3500). Power connectors: 6-pin vs PCIe-powered.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro FX 3500
TDP	180W-5%	189W
Recommended PSU	400W	350W-13%
Power Connector	6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	173mm	—
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	—
Perf/Watt	55.9+3893%	1.4

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1060 came in at $249, while the Quadro FX 3500 launched at $1599. On MSRP, GeForce GTX 1060 was 84.4% cheaper ($1350 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 0.2 (Quadro FX 3500) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 20100% better value. The newer card here is GeForce GTX 1060 (2016 vs 2008).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro FX 3500
MSRP	$249-84%	$1599
Performance per Dollar	40.4+20100%	0.2
Codename	GP104	GT200B
Release	May 27 2016	November 11 2008
Ranking	#137	#815

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