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 RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU 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 RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU: 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

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌56.5% higher power demand at 180W vs 115W.
❌64.8% longer card at 173mm vs 105mm.

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

2023

Why buy it

✅50.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 6 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅Draws 115W instead of 180W, a 65W reduction.
✅Measures 105mm instead of 173mm, a 68mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌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?

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 50.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 151.1% in PassMark G3D (25,267 vs 10,064), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 12 GB vs 6 GB of VRAM, a 5nm process instead of 16nm, 40 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2023 generation instead of 2016. 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. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 1060 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and strong 1440p headroom, RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU 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.

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 21 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 975 MHz to 1500 MHz. It has 5120 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 40 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 25,267 points.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU's 25,267 — the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU leads by 151.1%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU uses Ada Lovelace, both on 16 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 5,120 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 15.82 TFLOPS (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1500 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
G3D Mark Score	10,064	25,267+151%
Architecture	Pascal	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	16 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	2560	5120+100%
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS	15.82 TFLOPS+78%
Boost Clock	1733 MHz+16%	1500 MHz
ROPs	64	64
TMUs	160	160
L1 Cache	0.94 MB	5 MB+432%
L2 Cache	2 MB	48 MB+2300%

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB of VRAM, while the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU carries 12 GB. RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 432 GB/s (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU) — a 125% advantage for the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060 and 192-bit on the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 48 MB (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU) — the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	12 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	432 GB/s+125%
Bus Width	192-bit	192-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	48 MB+2300%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
DirectX	12	12 Ultimate (12_2)
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 NVENC 8th Gen (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060) vs H.264,H.265,AV1 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	NVENC 8th Gen
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	H.264,H.265,AV1

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU's 115W — a 44.1% difference. The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 650W (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Power connectors: 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 173mm vs 105mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
TDP	180W	115W-36%
Recommended PSU	400W-38%	650W
Power Connector	6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	173mm	105mm
Height	111mm	82mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	—	85
Perf/Watt	55.9	219.7+293%

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU (2023 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
MSRP	$249	—
Codename	GP104	AD104
Release	May 27 2016	March 21 2023
Ranking	#137	#81

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