GeForce GTX 960M 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. The GeForce GTX 960M is positioned at rank #35 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Great cost-benefit for your build. 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 GeForce GTX 960M

#25

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

161%

#27

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

146%

#28

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

145%

#32

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

132%

#33

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

131%

#35

GeForce GTX 960M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

100%

#37

UHD Graphics 730 (Rocket Lake)

MSRP: $50|Avg: $50

98%

#46

Radeon RX 5500M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

88%

#48

GeForce GTX 980 (móvel)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

87%

#49

GeForce 610M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $20

87%

#50

GeForce GTX 1650 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $75

86%

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 198.2% 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 960M.

Insight	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 1060
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-198.2%)	✅Leading raw performance (+198.2%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+50%)
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	—	📏 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 $50 (vs $60), it costs 17% less, resulting in a 148.5% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 1060
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+148.5%)
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($50)	⚠️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 960M Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 960M

The GeForce GTX 960M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1096 MHz to 1176 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,375 points.

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 960M scores 3,375 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 198.2%. The GeForce GTX 960M is built on Maxwell while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 640 (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 1.505 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1176 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	3,375	10,064+198%
Architecture	Maxwell	Pascal
Process Node	28 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	640	2560+300%
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.505 TFLOPS	8.873 TFLOPS+490%
Boost Clock	1176 MHz	1733 MHz+47%
ROPs	16	64+300%
TMUs	40	160+300%
L1 Cache	320 KB	960 KB+200%
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	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 960M 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. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit.

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

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 960M) 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 960M	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	12 (11_0)	12
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6+2%	4.5
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (4th Gen) (GeForce GTX 960M) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: NVDEC (1st Gen) vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,H.265 (GeForce GTX 960M) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	NVENC (4th Gen)	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	NVDEC (1st Gen)	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,H.265	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 960M draws 75W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 82.4% difference. The GeForce GTX 960M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 173mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	75W-58%	180W
Recommended PSU	350W-13%	400W
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	6-pin
Length	0mm	173mm
Height	0mm	111mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	82	—
Perf/Watt	45.0	55.9+24%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 960M costs 16.7% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 67.5 (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 148.4% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2015).