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 K5000 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 K5000: 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

✅144.1% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $2,250 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 2432.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 1.6 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 4 GB).
✅Quadro K5000 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.
❌47.5% higher power demand at 180W vs 122W.

Quadro K5000

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 122W instead of 180W, a 58W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2012 hardware with 4 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$249 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 1.6 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($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 144.1% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 152.3% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 3,989), 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 4 GB of VRAM, a 16nm process instead of 28nm, and a newer 2016 generation instead of 2012. 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 2432.1% (40.4 vs 1.6), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs Quadro K5000 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 K5000

The Quadro K5000 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 17 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 706 MHz to 706 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 122W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,989 points. Launch price was $2,499.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the Quadro K5000's 3,989 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 152.3%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the Quadro K5000 uses Kepler, both on 16 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 1,536 (Quadro K5000). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 2.169 TFLOPS (Quadro K5000). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 706 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro K5000
G3D Mark Score	10,064+152%	3,989
Architecture	Pascal	Kepler
Process Node	16 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2560+67%	1536
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS+309%	2.169 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1733 MHz+145%	706 MHz
ROPs	64+100%	32
TMUs	160+25%	128
L1 Cache	960 KB+650%	128 KB
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	0.5 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 1060 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Quadro K5000 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro K5000
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 K5000 carries 4 GB. GeForce GTX 1060 gives you 50% 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 K5000. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 0.5 MB (Quadro K5000) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro K5000
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+50%	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	192-bit+200%	64-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	0.5 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12_0 (Quadro K5000). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro K5000
DirectX	12	12_0
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060) vs NVENC 2nd Gen (Quadro K5000). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs NVDEC 1st Gen.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro K5000
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	NVENC 2nd Gen
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	NVDEC 1st Gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	—

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the Quadro K5000's 122W — a 38.4% difference. The Quadro K5000 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 350W (Quadro K5000). Power connectors: 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 173mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro K5000
TDP	180W	122W-32%
Recommended PSU	400W	350W-13%
Power Connector	6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	173mm	267mm
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	2
Perf/Watt	55.9+71%	32.7

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1060 came in at $249, while the Quadro K5000 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 1.6 (Quadro K5000) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 2425% better value. The newer card here is GeForce GTX 1060 (2016 vs 2012).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro K5000
MSRP	$249-90%	$2499
Performance per Dollar	40.4+2425%	1.6
Codename	GP104	GK104
Release	May 27 2016	August 17 2012
Ranking	#137	#492

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