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

✅Costs $151 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs Unknown).
✅More future proof: Pascal (2016−2021) on 16nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (10,064 vs 16,167).
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like FSR Frame Generation + AFMF (2023).
❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌227.3% higher power demand at 180W vs 55W.

Radeon RX 8050S

2025

Why buy it

✅+60.6% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with FSR Frame Generation + AFMF (2023).
✅More future proof: RDNA 3.5 on Unknown node with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 55W instead of 180W, a 125W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌
60.6% HIGHER MSRP
$400 MSRPvs$249 MSRP

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Radeon RX 8050S

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $151 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs Unknown).
✅More future proof: Pascal (2016−2021) on 16nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅+60.6% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with FSR Frame Generation + AFMF (2023).
✅More future proof: RDNA 3.5 on Unknown node with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 55W instead of 180W, a 125W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (10,064 vs 16,167).
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like FSR Frame Generation + AFMF (2023).
❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌227.3% higher power demand at 180W vs 55W.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌
60.6% HIGHER MSRP
$400 MSRPvs$249 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Radeon RX 8050S better than GeForce GTX 1060?

Yes. Radeon RX 8050S is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 16,167 vs 10,064 in G3D Mark. On top of that, Radeon RX 8050S is a 2025 card with FSR 3 + AFMF, while GeForce GTX 1060 is a 2016 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?

Radeon RX 8050S is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2025 generation instead of 2016, 60.6% more raw performance headroom, and better upscaling support with FSR 3 (2023) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack and better frame-generation support with FSR Frame Generation + AFMF (2023) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That broader feature stack should age better as more games lean on modern upscaling and frame-generation support.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

Radeon RX 8050S is the smarter buy by a wide margin. Radeon RX 8050S is about 60.6% more expensive on MSRP at $400 MSRP versus $249 MSRP, and you are getting 60.6% higher G3D Mark. GeForce GTX 1060 really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.

Is GeForce GTX 1060 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

No, not for a fresh gaming build. GeForce GTX 1060 is 2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM, 10,064 in G3D Mark, and no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That is simply too far behind to be an easy modern recommendation.

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

Radeon RX 8050S Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon RX 8050S
1080p
low	117 FPS	85 FPS
medium	105 FPS	74 FPS
high	91 FPS	54 FPS
ultra	77 FPS	35 FPS
1440p
low	103 FPS	70 FPS
medium	87 FPS	60 FPS
high	76 FPS	40 FPS
ultra	67 FPS	25 FPS
4K
low	55 FPS	26 FPS
medium	49 FPS	25 FPS
high	41 FPS	16 FPS
ultra	37 FPS	14 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open Radeon RX 8050S

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon RX 8050S
1080p
low	216 FPS	124 FPS
medium	181 FPS	87 FPS
high	148 FPS	59 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	39 FPS
1440p
low	134 FPS	81 FPS
medium	107 FPS	49 FPS
high	87 FPS	36 FPS
ultra	68 FPS	27 FPS
4K
low	62 FPS	38 FPS
medium	51 FPS	25 FPS
high	49 FPS	20 FPS
ultra	41 FPS	15 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open Radeon RX 8050S

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon RX 8050S
1080p
low	453 FPS	297 FPS
medium	362 FPS	255 FPS
high	302 FPS	176 FPS
ultra	226 FPS	148 FPS
1440p
low	340 FPS	226 FPS
medium	272 FPS	199 FPS
high	226 FPS	142 FPS
ultra	170 FPS	114 FPS
4K
low	226 FPS	141 FPS
medium	181 FPS	122 FPS
high	151 FPS	78 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	57 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open Radeon RX 8050S

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon RX 8050S
1080p
low	358 FPS	123 FPS
medium	302 FPS	92 FPS
high	260 FPS	71 FPS
ultra	226 FPS	60 FPS
1440p
low	299 FPS	93 FPS
medium	254 FPS	71 FPS
high	208 FPS	54 FPS
ultra	170 FPS	45 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	58 FPS
medium	133 FPS	44 FPS
high	123 FPS	34 FPS
ultra	102 FPS	26 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open Radeon RX 8050S

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 and Radeon RX 8050S

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 RX 8050S

The Radeon RX 8050S is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 6 2025. It features the RDNA 3.5 architecture. The boost clock speed is 2800 MHz. It has 32 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 55W. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,167 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the Radeon RX 8050S's 16,167 — the Radeon RX 8050S leads by 60.6%. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 32 (Radeon RX 8050S). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 2800 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon RX 8050S
G3D Mark Score	10,064	16,167+61%
Shading Units	2560+7900%	32
Boost Clock	1733 MHz	2800 MHz+62%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the Radeon RX 8050S is support for FSR Frame Generation + AFMF. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce GTX 1060 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce GTX 1060 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Radeon RX 8050S relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon RX 8050S
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	FSR 3
Frame Generation	Not Supported	FSR Frame Generation + AFMF
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon RX 8050S has 0 MB. The GeForce GTX 1060 offers 100+% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 256 GB/s (Max) (Radeon RX 8050S) — a 33.3% advantage for the Radeon RX 8050S. Bus width: 192-bit vs System Shared.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon RX 8050S
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	none
Memory Type	GDDR5	LPDDR5X (Shared)
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	256 GB/s (Max)+33%
Bus Width	192-bit	System Shared

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12.2 (Radeon RX 8050S). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon RX 8050S
DirectX	12	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.3	1.4+8%
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060) vs VCN 4.5 (Radeon RX 8050S). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs VCN 4.5. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Radeon RX 8050S).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon RX 8050S
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	VCN 4.5
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	VCN 4.5
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the Radeon RX 8050S's 55W — a 106.4% difference. The Radeon RX 8050S is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 650W (Radeon RX 8050S). Power connectors: 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 173mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	Radeon RX 8050S
TDP	180W	55W-69%
Recommended PSU	400W-38%	650W
Power Connector	6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	173mm	0mm
Height	111mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	—	85°C
Perf/Watt	55.9	293.9+426%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 MSRP, while the Radeon RX 8050S launched at $400. The GeForce GTX 1060 costs 37.8% less ($151 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 40.4 (Radeon RX 8050S) — the Radeon RX 8050S offers 0% better value. The Radeon RX 8050S is the newer GPU (2025 vs 2016).