GeForce GTX 970M SLI 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.

GeForce GTX 970M SLI vs GeForce GTX 1060 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 970M SLI vs GeForce GTX 1060: 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 970M SLI

2014

Why buy it

✅Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2014 hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅165.4% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 4 GB).
✅GeForce GTX 970M SLI is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce GTX 1060 is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce GTX 1060 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 165.4% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 83% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 5,500), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce GTX 1060 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 6 GB vs 4 GB of VRAM, a 16nm process instead of 28nm, and a newer 2016 generation instead of 2014. 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 today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce GTX 970M SLI vs GeForce GTX 1060 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

GeForce GTX 970M SLI

The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 7 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 924 MHz to 1038 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 162W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,500 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.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 970M SLI scores 5,500 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 83%. The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is built on Maxwell while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1038 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	5,500	10,064+83%
Architecture	Maxwell	Pascal
Process Node	28 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	2560	2560
Boost Clock	1038 MHz	1733 MHz+67%

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 970M SLI has 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 carries 6 GB. GeForce GTX 1060 gives you 50% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 120 GB/s x2 (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 526% advantage for the GeForce GTX 970M SLI. Memory bus width is 192-bit x2 on the GeForce GTX 970M SLI and 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	6 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	120 GB/s x2	192 GB/s+60%
Bus Width	192-bit x2	192-bit

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Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.4 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12
Vulkan	1.2	1.3+8%
OpenGL	4.4	4.5+2%
Max Displays	4	4

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Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP6) vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	NVENC	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	PureVideo HD (VP6)	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	H.264,H.265/HEVC

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 970M SLI draws 162W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 10.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) 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 970M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	162W-10%	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)	80°C	—
Perf/Watt	34.0	55.9+64%

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Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce GTX 1060 (2016 vs 2014).

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
MSRP	—	$249
Codename	—	GP104
Release	October 7 2014	May 27 2016
Ranking	#284	#137

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