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 4000 Ada Generation 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 4000 Ada Generation: 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

✅Costs $1,750 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 236% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 12.0 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).
✅Measures 173mm instead of 267mm, a 94mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than RTX 4000 Ada Generation across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌157.1% higher power demand at 180W vs 70W.

RTX 4000 Ada Generation

2023

Why buy it

✅29.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅Better long-term bet: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅Draws 70W instead of 180W, a 110W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌
702.8% HIGHER MSRP
$1,999 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 12.0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($1,999 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
❌54.3% longer card at 267mm vs 173mm.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

RTX 4000 Ada Generation is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 29.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 138.9% in PassMark G3D (24,046 vs 10,064), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

RTX 4000 Ada Generation is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: the newer feature stack, with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) and DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023), while GeForce GTX 1060 is limited to no meaningful modern upscaling stack and no comparable frame-generation support, a 5nm process instead of 16nm, 48 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2023 generation instead of 2016. That gives it the more rounded hardware package for newer games.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce GTX 1060 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $1,750 cheaper on MSRP at $249 vs $1,999, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 236% (40.4 vs 12.0), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. 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 4000 Ada Generation has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs RTX 4000 Ada Generation 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 4000 Ada Generation

The RTX 4000 Ada Generation is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 9 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1500 MHz to 1560 MHz. It has 6144 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 48 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 24,046 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the RTX 4000 Ada Generation's 24,046 — the RTX 4000 Ada Generation leads by 138.9%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the RTX 4000 Ada Generation uses Ada Lovelace, both on 16 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 6,144 (RTX 4000 Ada Generation). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 26.73 TFLOPS (RTX 4000 Ada Generation). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1560 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX 4000 Ada Generation
G3D Mark Score	10,064	24,046+139%
Architecture	Pascal	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	16 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	2560	6144+140%
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS	26.73 TFLOPS+201%
Boost Clock	1733 MHz+11%	1560 MHz
ROPs	64	64
TMUs	160	192+20%
L1 Cache	0.94 MB	6 MB+538%
L2 Cache	2 MB	48 MB+2300%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The clearest feature edge for the RTX 4000 Ada Generation is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. In games that support it, that can smooth out motion and lift perceived FPS. The GeForce GTX 1060 does not have comparable native support in the same tier.The RTX 4000 Ada Generation supports the newer DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1060 is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX 4000 Ada Generation
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction	No	Yes (DLSS 3.5)
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB of VRAM, while the RTX 4000 Ada Generation 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 bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 360 GB/s (RTX 4000 Ada Generation) — a 87.5% advantage for the RTX 4000 Ada Generation. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060 and 160-bit on the RTX 4000 Ada Generation. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 48 MB (RTX 4000 Ada Generation) — the RTX 4000 Ada Generation has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX 4000 Ada Generation
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+200%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6 ECC
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	360 GB/s+88%
Bus Width	192-bit+20%	160-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	48 MB+2300%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12.2 (RTX 4000 Ada Generation). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX 4000 Ada Generation
DirectX	12	12.2+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 8th Gen NVENC (3x) (RTX 4000 Ada Generation). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (RTX 4000 Ada Generation).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX 4000 Ada Generation
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	8th Gen NVENC (3x)
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the RTX 4000 Ada Generation's 70W — a 88% difference. The RTX 4000 Ada Generation is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 750W (RTX 4000 Ada Generation). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 1x 8-pin. Card length: 173mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX 4000 Ada Generation
TDP	180W	70W-61%
Recommended PSU	400W-47%	750W
Power Connector	6-pin	1x 8-pin
Length	173mm	267mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	—	80°C
Perf/Watt	55.9	343.5+514%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1060 came in at $249, while the RTX 4000 Ada Generation launched at $1999. On MSRP, GeForce GTX 1060 was 87.5% cheaper ($1750 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12.0 (RTX 4000 Ada Generation) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 236.7% better value. The newer card here is RTX 4000 Ada Generation (2023 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX 4000 Ada Generation
MSRP	$249-88%	$1999
Performance per Dollar	40.4+237%	12.0
Codename	GP104	AD104
Release	May 27 2016	August 9 2023
Ranking	#137	#47

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