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 970XM FORCE 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 970XM FORCE 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 970XM FORCE

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 81W instead of 180W, a 99W reduction.

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 already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
❌54.3% longer card at 267mm vs 173mm.

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅73.2% 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).
✅Measures 173mm instead of 267mm, a 94mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌122.2% higher power demand at 180W vs 81W.

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 73.2% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 50.1% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 6,707), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond because it comes out ahead on the available hardware-headroom signals for this matchup.

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. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 1060 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE vs GeForce GTX 1060 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE

The GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 7 2014. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 924 MHz to 1038 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 81W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,707 points. Launch price was $2,560.89.

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 970XM FORCE scores 6,707 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 50.1%. The GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 2.657 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1038 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	6,707	10,064+50%
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Pascal
Process Node	28 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	1280	2560+100%
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.657 TFLOPS	8.873 TFLOPS+234%
Boost Clock	1038 MHz	1733 MHz+67%
ROPs	48	64+33%
TMUs	80	160+100%
L1 Cache	480 KB	960 KB+100%
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	2 MB+33%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE	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

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE 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 (GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 60% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1060. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE and 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060. L2 Cache: 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	6 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	120 GB/s	192 GB/s+60%
Bus Width	192-bit	192-bit
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	2 MB+33%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	12 (12_1)	12
Vulkan	1.4+8%	1.3
OpenGL	4.6+2%	4.5
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 5th Gen NVENC (Maxwell) (GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: 1st Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	5th Gen NVENC (Maxwell)	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	1st Gen NVDEC	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	H.264,HEVC,VC-1,MPEG-2	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE draws 81W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 75.9% difference. The GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 173mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	81W-55%	180W
Recommended PSU	350W-13%	400W
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	6-pin
Length	267mm	173mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	—
Perf/Watt	82.8+48%	55.9

💰

Value Analysis

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

Feature	GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE	GeForce GTX 1060
MSRP	—	$249
Codename	GM204	GP104
Release	October 7 2014	May 27 2016
Ranking	#408	#137

Search GeForce GTX 970XM FORCE on Amazon

Search GeForce GTX 1060 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.