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 A2000 12GB 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 A2000 12GB: 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 $200 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
✅Delivers 32.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 30.6 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than RTX A2000 12GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌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 A2000 12GB

2021

Why buy it

✅2.1% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅Draws 70W instead of 180W, a 110W reduction.
✅Measures 167mm instead of 173mm, a 6mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌
80.3% HIGHER MSRP
$449 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 30.6 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($449 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

RTX A2000 12GB is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 2.1% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 36.3% in PassMark G3D (13,721 vs 10,064), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

RTX A2000 12GB is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 8 GB vs 6 GB of VRAM, a 8nm process instead of 16nm, 26 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2021 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 to buy today. It is $200 cheaper on MSRP at $249 vs $449, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 32.3% (40.4 vs 30.6), 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 lighter 1440p headroom, RTX A2000 12GB has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs RTX A2000 12GB 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 A2000 12GB

The RTX A2000 12GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in November 23 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 562 MHz to 1200 MHz. It has 3328 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 26 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 13,721 points. Launch price was $449.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the RTX A2000 12GB's 13,721 — the RTX A2000 12GB leads by 36.3%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the RTX A2000 12GB uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 3,328 (RTX A2000 12GB). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 7.987 TFLOPS (RTX A2000 12GB). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1200 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX A2000 12GB
G3D Mark Score	10,064	13,721+36%
Architecture	Pascal	Ampere
Process Node	16 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2560	3328+30%
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS+11%	7.987 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1733 MHz+44%	1200 MHz
ROPs	64+33%	48
TMUs	160+54%	104
L1 Cache	0.94 MB	3.3 MB+251%
L2 Cache	2 MB	3 MB+50%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX A2000 12GB
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 A2000 12GB carries 8 GB. RTX A2000 12GB gives you 33.3% 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 128-bit on the RTX A2000 12GB. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 3 MB (RTX A2000 12GB) — the RTX A2000 12GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX A2000 12GB
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	8 GB+33%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Bus Width	192-bit+50%	128-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	3 MB+50%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12.2 (RTX A2000 12GB). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX A2000 12GB
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 7th Gen NVENC (RTX A2000 12GB). 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 (Decode) (RTX A2000 12GB).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX A2000 12GB
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	7th Gen NVENC
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the RTX A2000 12GB's 70W — a 88% difference. The RTX A2000 12GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 500W (RTX A2000 12GB). Power connectors: 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 173mm vs 167mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX A2000 12GB
TDP	180W	70W-61%
Recommended PSU	400W-20%	500W
Power Connector	6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	173mm	167mm
Height	111mm	68mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	—	75°C
Perf/Watt	55.9	196.0+251%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1060 came in at $249, while the RTX A2000 12GB launched at $449. On MSRP, GeForce GTX 1060 was 44.5% cheaper ($200 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 30.6 (RTX A2000 12GB) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 32% better value. The newer card here is RTX A2000 12GB (2021 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	RTX A2000 12GB
MSRP	$249-45%	$449
Performance per Dollar	40.4+32%	30.6
Codename	GP104	GA106
Release	May 27 2016	November 23 2021
Ranking	#137	#177

Search GeForce GTX 1060 on Amazon

Search RTX A2000 12GB on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.