GeForce GTX 650
VS
GeForce GTX 1060

GeForce GTX 650 vs GeForce GTX 1060

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 650

2012Core: 1058 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1060

2016Core: 1607 MHzBoost: 1733 MHz

Performance Spectrum - GPU

About G3D Mark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 1060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 473.1% higher G3D Mark score and 200% more VRAM (6 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 650.

InsightGeForce GTX 650GeForce GTX 1060
Performance
Lower raw frame rates (-473.1%)
Leading raw performance (+473.1%)
Longevity
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018))
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem
Supports FSR Upscaling
Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM
❌ Less VRAM capacity
✅ More VRAM (+200%)
Efficiency
⚡ Higher Power Consumption
💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit
📏 Compact / SFF Friendly
📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 1060 holds the technical lead. Priced at $25 (vs $60), it costs 58% less, resulting in a 138.8% higher cost efficiency score.

InsightGeForce GTX 650GeForce GTX 1060
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+138.8%)
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($25)
⚠️Higher upfront cost ($60)

Performance Check

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 7800X3D 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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 650 and GeForce GTX 1060

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 650

The GeForce GTX 650 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 6 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 1058 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 65W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,756 points. Launch price was $109.

NVIDIA

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.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 650 scores 1,756 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 473.1%. The GeForce GTX 650 is built on Kepler while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce GTX 650) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 0.8125 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 650) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060).

FeatureGeForce GTX 650GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score
1,756
10,064+473%
Architecture
Kepler
Pascal
Process Node
28 nm
16 nm
Shading Units
384
2560+567%
Compute (TFLOPS)
0.8125 TFLOPS
8.873 TFLOPS+992%
ROPs
16
64+300%
TMUs
32
160+400%
L1 Cache
32 KB
960 KB+2900%
L2 Cache
0.25 MB
2 MB+700%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GTX 650GeForce GTX 1060
Upscaling Tech
FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation
FSR 3 (Compatible)
FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 650 comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB. The GeForce GTX 1060 offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 80 GB/s (GeForce GTX 650) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 140% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1060. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 0.25 MB (GeForce GTX 650) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce GTX 650GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity
2 GB
6 GB+200%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
80 GB/s
192 GB/s+140%
Bus Width
128-bit
192-bit+50%
L2 Cache
0.25 MB
2 MB+700%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11_0 (GeForce GTX 650) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTX 650GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX
11_0
12+9%
Max Displays
3
4+33%
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 2nd Gen (GeForce GTX 650) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: NVDEC 1st Gen vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: H.264 (GeForce GTX 650) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

FeatureGeForce GTX 650GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder
NVENC 2nd Gen
NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder
NVDEC 1st Gen
NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs
H.264
H.264,H.265/HEVC
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 650 draws 65W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 93.9% difference. The GeForce GTX 650 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce GTX 650) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 145mm vs 173mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

FeatureGeForce GTX 650GeForce GTX 1060
TDP
65W-64%
180W
Recommended PSU
300W-25%
400W
Power Connector
1x 6-pin
6-pin
Length
145mm
173mm
Height
111mm
Slots
2
2
Perf/Watt
27.0
55.9+107%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 650 launched at $109 MSRP and currently averages $25, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 and now averages $60. The GeForce GTX 650 costs 58.3% less ($35 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 70.2 (GeForce GTX 650) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 138.9% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2012).

FeatureGeForce GTX 650GeForce GTX 1060
MSRP
$109-56%
$249
Avg Price (30d)
$25-58%
$60
Performance per Dollar
70.2
167.7+139%
Codename
GK107
GP104
Release
September 6 2012
May 27 2016
Ranking
#719
#137