GeForce GTX 1060 vs Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

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

✅+416.9% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $350 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1143.5% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 3.3 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs Unknown).
✅Less risky long-term buy than Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3: it remains the more sensible modern option while Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 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.
❌2471.4% higher power demand at 180W vs 7W.

Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 7W instead of 180W, a 173W reduction.
✅More future proof: Unknown architecture on 7nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (1,947 vs 10,064).
❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2018-era hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌
140.6% HIGHER MSRP
$599 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 3.3 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

2018

Why buy it

✅+416.9% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $350 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1143.5% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 3.3 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs Unknown).
✅Less risky long-term buy than Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3: it remains the more sensible modern option while Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 is already obsolete for modern gaming.

Why buy it

✅Draws 7W instead of 180W, a 173W reduction.
✅More future proof: Unknown architecture on 7nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌2471.4% higher power demand at 180W vs 7W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (1,947 vs 10,064).
❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2018-era hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌
140.6% HIGHER MSRP
$599 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 3.3 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce GTX 1060 better than Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3?

Yes. GeForce GTX 1060 is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 10,064 vs 1,947 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce GTX 1060 is a 2016 card with no meaningful modern upscaling stack, while Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 is a 2018 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 416.9% more raw performance headroom and more VRAM at 6 GB instead of Unknown. 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 $350 cheaper on MSRP at $249 MSRP versus $599 MSRP, and you are getting 416.9% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 1143.5%. Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 is the newer 2018 card, so it still has a real case if you care more about newer architecture and lower power draw (7W vs 180W) than about squeezing out the strongest gaming value today.

When does Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 make more sense than GeForce GTX 1060?

Yes. Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is still fine for 1080p, but 1440p and especially 4K require more compromise. It makes more sense if your priority is newer architecture, lower power draw (7W vs 180W), and staying closer to $599 MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce GTX 1060. The trade-off is that GeForce GTX 1060 currently gives you 416.9% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 1143.5%.

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.

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
1080p
low	117 FPS	88 FPS
medium	105 FPS	70 FPS
high	91 FPS	58 FPS
ultra	77 FPS	41 FPS
1440p
low	103 FPS	66 FPS
medium	87 FPS	53 FPS
high	76 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	67 FPS	32 FPS
4K
low	55 FPS	29 FPS
medium	49 FPS	27 FPS
high	41 FPS	18 FPS
ultra	37 FPS	16 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
1080p
low	216 FPS	88 FPS
medium	181 FPS	70 FPS
high	148 FPS	58 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	39 FPS
1440p
low	134 FPS	66 FPS
medium	107 FPS	48 FPS
high	87 FPS	35 FPS
ultra	68 FPS	26 FPS
4K
low	62 FPS	38 FPS
medium	51 FPS	25 FPS
high	49 FPS	20 FPS
ultra	41 FPS	14 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
1080p
low	453 FPS	88 FPS
medium	362 FPS	70 FPS
high	302 FPS	58 FPS
ultra	226 FPS	44 FPS
1440p
low	340 FPS	66 FPS
medium	272 FPS	53 FPS
high	226 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	170 FPS	33 FPS
4K
low	226 FPS	44 FPS
medium	181 FPS	35 FPS
high	151 FPS	29 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	22 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
1080p
low	358 FPS	88 FPS
medium	302 FPS	70 FPS
high	260 FPS	58 FPS
ultra	226 FPS	44 FPS
1440p
low	299 FPS	66 FPS
medium	254 FPS	53 FPS
high	208 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	170 FPS	33 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	44 FPS
medium	133 FPS	35 FPS
high	123 FPS	29 FPS
ultra	102 FPS	22 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 and Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

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.

Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

The Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 is manufactured by Qualcomm. It was released in December 6 2018. The thermal design power (TDP) is 7W. Manufactured using 7 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,947 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3's 1,947 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 416.9%.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
G3D Mark Score	10,064+417%	1,947
Process Node	16 nm	7 nm

✨

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 Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
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 Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 has 0 MB. The GeForce GTX 1060 offers 100+% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs System.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	Shared System RAM
Memory Type	GDDR5	Shared
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	Unknown
Bus Width	192-bit	System

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3's 7W — a 185% difference. The Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 1W (Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3). Power connectors: 6-pin vs Integrated.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
TDP	180W	7W-96%
Recommended PSU	400W	1W-100%
Power Connector	6-pin	Integrated
Length	173mm	—
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	—
Perf/Watt	55.9	278.1+397%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 MSRP, while the Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 launched at $599. The GeForce GTX 1060 costs 58.4% less ($350 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 3.3 (Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 1124.2% better value. The Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 is the newer GPU (2018 vs 2016).