GeForce GTX 1060 vs Radeon 820M

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 Radeon 820M 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 Radeon 820M: 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

✅204.8% more average FPS across 41 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).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).

Trade-offs

❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌500% higher power demand at 180W vs 30W.

Radeon 820M

2024

Why buy it

✅Better long-term bet: RDNA 3+ (2024) on 4nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅Draws 30W instead of 180W, a 150W reduction.
✅More future proof: RDNA 3+ (2024) on 4nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 41 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer 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 204.8% in average FPS across 41 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 369.6% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 2,143), so the answer here is pretty clean.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

Radeon 820M is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: the newer upscaling stack, FSR Upscaling / FSR 4 (2025) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 4nm process instead of 16nm, and a newer 2024 generation instead of 2016. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

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. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 1060 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, Radeon 820M has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs Radeon 820M 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.

Radeon 820M

The Radeon 820M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 2 2024. It features the RDNA 3+ architecture. The boost clock speed is 2900 MHz. It has 128 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 4 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,143 points.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the Radeon 820M's 2,143 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 369.6%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the Radeon 820M uses RDNA 3+, both on 16 nm vs 4 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 128 (Radeon 820M). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 2900 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon 820M
G3D Mark Score	10,064+370%	2,143
Architecture	Pascal	RDNA 3+
Process Node	16 nm	4 nm
Shading Units	2560+1900%	128
Boost Clock	1733 MHz	2900 MHz+67%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 1060 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Radeon 820M leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon 820M
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	AMD Anti-Lag

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon 820M carries 2 GB. GeForce GTX 1060 gives you 200% 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 System on the Radeon 820M.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon 820M
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+200%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	Shared
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	System
Bus Width	192-bit	System

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12 Ultimate (Radeon 820M). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon 820M
DirectX	12	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060) vs VCN 4.0 (Radeon 820M). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs VCN 4.0. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060) vs H.264,H.265,AV1,VP9 (Radeon 820M).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon 820M
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	VCN 4.0
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	VCN 4.0
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	H.264,H.265,AV1,VP9

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the Radeon 820M's 30W — a 142.9% difference. The Radeon 820M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 350W (Radeon 820M). Power connectors: 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 173mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon 820M
TDP	180W	30W-83%
Recommended PSU	400W	350W-13%
Power Connector	6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	173mm	0mm
Height	111mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	—	80
Perf/Watt	55.9	71.4+28%

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Value Analysis

The newer card here is Radeon 820M (2024 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon 820M
MSRP	$249	—
Codename	GP104	Krackan Point
Release	May 27 2016	June 2 2024
Ranking	#137	#669

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