GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile vs GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile
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GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.7% higher G3D Mark score and 166.7% more VRAM (8 GB vs 3 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.7%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.7%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | Standard Size (250mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile 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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile and GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile
The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 11 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 712 MHz to 1057 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 16 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,080 points.
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 RTX 3050 Mobile scores 10,080 and the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB reaches 9,815 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB uses Pascal, both on 8 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile) vs 1,152 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB). Raw compute: 4.329 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile) vs 3.935 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB). Boost clocks: 1057 MHz vs 1708 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 10,080+3% | 9,815 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Pascal |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 16 nm |
| Shading Units | 2048+78% | 1152 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 4.329 TFLOPS+10% | 3.935 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1057 MHz | 1708 MHz+62% |
| ROPs | 40 | 48+20% |
| TMUs | 64 | 72+13% |
| L1 Cache | 2 MB+376% | 0.42 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+33% | 1.5 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB has 3 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile offers 166.7% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile) vs 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB+167% | 3 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 192 GB/s | 192 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 192-bit+50% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+33% | 1.5 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile) 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 RTX 3050 Mobile | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.2 | 12.1 |
| Vulkan | 1.3+18% | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.6+2% | 4.5 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: 7th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile) vs NVENC 4.0 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs PureVideo HD VP6. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | 7th Gen NVENC | NVENC 4.0 |
| Decoder | 5th Gen NVDEC | PureVideo HD VP6 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile draws 75W versus the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB's 120W — a 46.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB). Power connectors: Mobile vs 6-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 250mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 75W-38% | 120W |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 400W-20% |
| Power Connector | Mobile | 6-pin |
| Length | 0mm | 250mm |
| Height | 0mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 75°C-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 134.4+64% | 81.8 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2016).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $50 |
| Codename | GA107 | GP106 |
| Release | May 11 2021 | August 18 2016 |
| Ranking | #290 | #272 |
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