GeForce GTX 970 vs GeForce GTX 1060 3GB

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 3GB is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.8% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 970 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

Insight	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.8%)	✅Leading raw performance (+1.8%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+33.3%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	Standard Size (267mm)	Standard Size (250mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $50), it costs 0% less, resulting in a 1.8% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+1.8%)
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 970 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 3GB Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 970 and GeForce GTX 1060 3GB

GeForce GTX 970

The GeForce GTX 970 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 19 2014. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1050 MHz to 1178 MHz. It has 1664 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,640 points. Launch price was $329.

GeForce GTX 1060 3GB

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 18 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1506 MHz to 1708 MHz. It has 1152 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,815 points. Launch price was $199.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 970 scores 9,640 and the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB reaches 9,815 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 970 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 1,664 (GeForce GTX 970) vs 1,152 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB). Raw compute: 3.92 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 970) vs 3.935 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB). Boost clocks: 1178 MHz vs 1708 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
G3D Mark Score	9,640	9,815+2%
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Pascal
Process Node	28 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	1664+44%	1152
Compute (TFLOPS)	3.92 TFLOPS	3.935 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1178 MHz	1708 MHz+45%
ROPs	56+17%	48
TMUs	104+44%	72
L1 Cache	624 KB+44%	432 KB
L2 Cache	2 MB+33%	1.5 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
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 970 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB has 3 GB. The GeForce GTX 970 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce GTX 970) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) — a 16.7% advantage for the GeForce GTX 970. Bus width: 256-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 970) vs 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) — the GeForce GTX 970 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+33%	3 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	224 GB/s+17%	192 GB/s
Bus Width	256-bit+33%	192-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB+33%	1.5 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (FL 12_1) (GeForce GTX 970) vs 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
DirectX	12 (FL 12_1)	12.1
Vulkan	1.3+18%	1.1
OpenGL	4.6+2%	4.5
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 2nd gen (GeForce GTX 970) vs NVENC 4.0 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB). Decoder: PureVideo VP6 vs PureVideo HD VP6. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 970) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB).

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
Encoder	NVENC 2nd gen	NVENC 4.0
Decoder	PureVideo VP6	PureVideo HD VP6
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 970 draws 150W versus the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB's 120W — a 22.2% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 970) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 250mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
TDP	150W	120W-20%
Recommended PSU	500W	400W-20%
Power Connector	2x 6-pin	6-pin
Length	267mm	250mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	80°C	75°C-6%
Perf/Watt	64.3	81.8+27%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 970 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB launched at $199 and now averages $50. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 192.8 (GeForce GTX 970) vs 196.3 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) — the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB offers 1.8% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2014).