GeForce GTX 960 vs GeForce GTX 1060

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 64.1% higher G3D Mark score and 50% more VRAM (6 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 960.

Insight	GeForce GTX 960	GeForce GTX 1060
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-64.1%)	✅Leading raw performance (+64.1%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+50%)
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
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 $45 (vs $60), it costs 25% less, resulting in a 23.1% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 960	GeForce GTX 1060
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+23.1%)
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($45)	⚠️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.

GeForce GTX 960 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 960 and GeForce GTX 1060

GeForce GTX 960

The GeForce GTX 960 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 22 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1127 MHz to 1178 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,133 points. Launch price was $199.

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 960 scores 6,133 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 64.1%. The GeForce GTX 960 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce GTX 960) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 2.413 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 960) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1178 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	6,133	10,064+64%
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Pascal
Process Node	28 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	1024	2560+150%
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.413 TFLOPS	8.873 TFLOPS+268%
Boost Clock	1178 MHz	1733 MHz+47%
ROPs	32	64+100%
TMUs	64	160+150%
L1 Cache	384 KB	960 KB+150%
L2 Cache	1 MB	2 MB+100%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	GeForce 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 960 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB. The GeForce GTX 1060 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 112 GB/s (GeForce GTX 960) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 71.4% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1060. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GTX 960) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	6 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	112 GB/s	192 GB/s+71%
Bus Width	128-bit	192-bit+50%
L2 Cache	1 MB	2 MB+100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 960) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	12 (12_1)	12
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6+2%	4.5
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce GTX 960) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: NVDEC (2nd Gen) vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8 (GeForce GTX 960) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	NVENC (5th Gen)	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	NVDEC (2nd Gen)	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 960 draws 100W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 57.1% difference. The GeForce GTX 960 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 960) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 241mm vs 173mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	100W-44%	180W
Recommended PSU	400W	400W
Power Connector	6-pin	6-pin
Length	241mm	173mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75 C	—
Perf/Watt	61.3+10%	55.9

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 960 launched at $199 MSRP and currently averages $45, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 and now averages $60. The GeForce GTX 960 costs 25% less ($15 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 136.3 (GeForce GTX 960) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 23% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2015).