GeForce GTX 1060 vs Quadro K4000

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1060

2016Core: 1607 MHzBoost: 1733 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
NVIDIA

Quadro K4000

2013Core: 810 MHz

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - GPU

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

  • +270.1% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Costs $1,020 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $1,269 MSRP).
  • Delivers 1786.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 2.1 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $1,269 MSRP).
  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 3 GB).
  • Less risky long-term buy than Quadro K4000: it remains the more sensible modern option while Quadro K4000 is already obsolete for modern gaming.

Trade-offs

  • Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
  • 125% higher power demand at 180W vs 80W.

Quadro K4000

2013

Why buy it

  • Draws 80W instead of 180W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (2,719 vs 10,064).
  • Less VRAM, with 3 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • Very weak future-proofing: 2013-era hardware with 3 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
  • 409.6% HIGHER MSRP
    $1,269 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 2.1 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($1,269 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce GTX 1060 better than Quadro K4000?
Yes. GeForce GTX 1060 is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 10,064 vs 2,719 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce GTX 1060 is a 2016 card with no meaningful modern upscaling stack, while Quadro K4000 is a 2013 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce GTX 1060 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2016 generation instead of 2013, 270.1% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 6 GB instead of 3 GB, and a 16nm process instead of 28nm. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?
GeForce GTX 1060 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce GTX 1060 is about $1,020 cheaper on MSRP at $249 MSRP versus $1,269 MSRP, and you are getting 270.1% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 1786.4%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.
Is Quadro K4000 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
Yes. Quadro K4000 is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around $1,269 MSRP, even if GeForce GTX 1060 is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

Games Benchmarks

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 9800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce GTX 1060Quadro K4000
1080p
low117 FPS32 FPS
medium105 FPS21 FPS
high91 FPS14 FPS
ultra77 FPS8 FPS
1440p
low103 FPS25 FPS
medium87 FPS15 FPS
high76 FPS8 FPS
ultra67 FPS4 FPS
4K
low55 FPS9 FPS
medium49 FPS6 FPS
high41 FPS4 FPS
ultra37 FPS3 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce GTX 1060Quadro K4000
1080p
low216 FPS39 FPS
medium181 FPS19 FPS
high148 FPS14 FPS
ultra113 FPS9 FPS
1440p
low134 FPS20 FPS
medium107 FPS9 FPS
high87 FPS7 FPS
ultra68 FPS5 FPS
4K
low62 FPS6 FPS
medium51 FPS3 FPS
high49 FPS3 FPS
ultra41 FPS2 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce GTX 1060Quadro K4000
1080p
low453 FPS122 FPS
medium362 FPS98 FPS
high302 FPS82 FPS
ultra226 FPS61 FPS
1440p
low340 FPS92 FPS
medium272 FPS73 FPS
high226 FPS61 FPS
ultra170 FPS46 FPS
4K
low226 FPS61 FPS
medium181 FPS49 FPS
high151 FPS41 FPS
ultra113 FPS31 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce GTX 1060Quadro K4000
1080p
low358 FPS122 FPS
medium302 FPS98 FPS
high260 FPS82 FPS
ultra226 FPS61 FPS
1440p
low299 FPS75 FPS
medium254 FPS61 FPS
high208 FPS52 FPS
ultra170 FPS35 FPS
4K
low170 FPS39 FPS
medium133 FPS30 FPS
high123 FPS26 FPS
ultra102 FPS17 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 and Quadro K4000

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 K4000

The Quadro K4000 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 1 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 810 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 80W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,719 points. Launch price was $1,269.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the Quadro K4000's 2,719 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 270.1%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the Quadro K4000 uses Kepler, both on 16 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 768 (Quadro K4000). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 1.244 TFLOPS (Quadro K4000).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060Quadro K4000
G3D Mark Score
10,064+270%
2,719
Architecture
Pascal
Kepler
Process Node
16 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
2560+233%
768
Compute (TFLOPS)
8.873 TFLOPS+613%
1.244 TFLOPS
ROPs
64+167%
24
TMUs
160+150%
64
L1 Cache
960 KB+1400%
64 KB
L2 Cache
2 MB+426%
0.38 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 1060 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Quadro K4000 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060Quadro K4000
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 comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the Quadro K4000 has 3 GB. The GeForce GTX 1060 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 0.38 MB (Quadro K4000) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060Quadro K4000
VRAM Capacity
6 GB+100%
3 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
192-bit+200%
64-bit
L2 Cache
2 MB+426%
0.38 MB
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the Quadro K4000's 80W — a 76.9% difference. The Quadro K4000 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 350W (Quadro K4000). Power connectors: 6-pin vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060Quadro K4000
TDP
180W
80W-56%
Recommended PSU
400W
350W-13%
Power Connector
6-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
173mm
Height
111mm
Slots
2
Perf/Watt
55.9+64%
34.0
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 MSRP, while the Quadro K4000 launched at $1269. The GeForce GTX 1060 costs 80.4% less ($1020 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 2.1 (Quadro K4000) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 1823.8% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2013).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060Quadro K4000
MSRP
$249-80%
$1269
Performance per Dollar
40.4+1824%
2.1
Codename
GP104
GK106
Release
May 27 2016
March 1 2013
Ranking
#137
#613