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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is positioned at rank #132 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower 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 970M SLI

#122

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

296%

#124

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

268%

#125

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

268%

#129

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

243%

#130

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

242%

#132

GeForce GTX 970M SLI

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#139

Iris Xe MAX Graphics

MSRP: $55|Avg: $40

98%

#145

Radeon RX 580 (móvel)

MSRP: $229|Avg: $65

95%

#147

GeForce GT 630M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $35

95%

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 83% 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 970M SLI.

Insight	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-83%)	✅Leading raw performance (+83%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / 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

While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce GTX 1060 remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.

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 970M SLI Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 970M SLI and GeForce GTX 1060

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.

⚡

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%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	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 970M SLI 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: 120 GB/s x2 (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 526% advantage for the GeForce GTX 970M SLI. Bus width: 192-bit x2 vs 192-bit.

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

🖥️

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

🎬

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

🔌

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%