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 NVS 420 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 NVS 420: 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

✅3508.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 4 GB).
✅Quadro NVS 420 is already legacy-tier future-proofing, 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.
❌80% higher power demand at 180W vs 100W.

Quadro NVS 420

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 100W instead of 180W, a 80W reduction.
✅Measures 160mm instead of 173mm, a 13mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

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.
❌2018 hardware with 4 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern 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. In our data, it leads by 3508.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 7246% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 137), 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. 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 today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs Quadro NVS 420 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 NVS 420

The Quadro NVS 420 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 21 2018. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1227 MHz to 1647 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 137 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the Quadro NVS 420's 137 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 7246%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the Quadro NVS 420 uses Pascal, both on a 16 nm process. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 2,304 (Quadro NVS 420). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 7.589 TFLOPS (Quadro NVS 420). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1647 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro NVS 420
G3D Mark Score	10,064+7246%	137
Architecture	Pascal	Pascal
Process Node	16 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	2560+11%	2304
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS+17%	7.589 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1733 MHz+5%	1647 MHz
ROPs	64	64
TMUs	160+11%	144
L1 Cache	960 KB+11%	864 KB
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 1060 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Quadro NVS 420 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro NVS 420
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 NVS 420 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 NVS 420.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro NVS 420
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+50%	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	192-bit+200%	64-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 10_0 (Quadro NVS 420). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro NVS 420
DirectX	12+20%	10_0
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060) vs PureVideo HD (Quadro NVS 420). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs PureVideo HD.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro NVS 420
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	PureVideo HD
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	PureVideo HD
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	—

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the Quadro NVS 420's 100W — a 57.1% difference. The Quadro NVS 420 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 350W (Quadro NVS 420). Power connectors: 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 173mm vs 160mm, occupying 2 vs 1 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro NVS 420
TDP	180W	100W-44%
Recommended PSU	400W	350W-13%
Power Connector	6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	173mm	160mm
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	1-50%
Perf/Watt	55.9+3893%	1.4

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1060 came in at $249, while the Quadro NVS 420 launched at $0. On MSRP, Quadro NVS 420 was 100+% cheaper ($249 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs Infinity (Quadro NVS 420) — the Quadro NVS 420 offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Quadro NVS 420 (2018 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Quadro NVS 420
MSRP	$249	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	40.4	Infinity
Codename	GP104	GP104
Release	May 27 2016	February 21 2018
Ranking	#137	#266

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