GeForce RTX 4090 vs GeForce GTX 1060
GeForce RTX 4090
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GeForce GTX 1060
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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 4090
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 4090 is significantly newer (2022 vs 2016). The GeForce RTX 4090 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 4090 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 278.7% higher G3D Mark score and 300% more VRAM (24 GB vs 6 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1060.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+278.7%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-278.7%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) / 5nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (24 GB) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (304mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 1060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $60 versus $1,649 for the GeForce RTX 4090, it costs 96% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 625.7% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+625.7%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($1,649) | ✅More affordable ($60) |
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 4090 and GeForce GTX 1060
GeForce RTX 4090
The GeForce RTX 4090 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 20 2022. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2235 MHz to 2520 MHz. It has 16384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 450W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 128 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 38,112 points. Launch price was $1,599.
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 RTX 4090 scores 38,112 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce RTX 4090 leads by 278.7%. The GeForce RTX 4090 is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 5 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 16,384 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 82.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 2520 MHz vs 1733 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 38,112+279% | 10,064 |
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Pascal |
| Process Node | 5 nm | 16 nm |
| Shading Units | 16384+540% | 2560 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 82.58 TFLOPS+831% | 8.873 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 2520 MHz+45% | 1733 MHz |
| ROPs | 176+175% | 64 |
| TMUs | 512+220% | 160 |
| L1 Cache | 16 MB+1602% | 0.94 MB |
| L2 Cache | 72 MB+3500% | 2 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090 is support for DLSS 3 Frame Gen. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce GTX 1060 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 4090 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The GeForce GTX 1060 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 3.5 | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | DLSS 3.0 (Native) | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | Yes (DLSS 3.5) | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 4090 comes with 24 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB. The GeForce RTX 4090 offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 1008 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 425% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090. Bus width: 384-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 72 MB (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce RTX 4090 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 24 GB+300% | 6 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 1008 GB/s+425% | 192 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 384-bit+100% | 192-bit |
| L2 Cache | 72 MB+3500% | 2 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.2+2% | 12 |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6+2% | 4.5 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4090) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | 8th Gen NVENC (2x) | NVENC (Pascal) |
| Decoder | 5th Gen NVDEC | NVDEC (Pascal) |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 | H.264,H.265/HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 4090 draws 450W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 85.7% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1000W (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 16-pin (12VHPWR) vs 6-pin. Card length: 304mm vs 173mm, occupying 3 vs 2 slots.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 450W | 180W-60% |
| Recommended PSU | 1000W | 400W-60% |
| Power Connector | 16-pin (12VHPWR) | 6-pin |
| Length | 304mm | 173mm |
| Height | 137mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 3 | 2-33% |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 84.7+52% | 55.9 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 4090 launched at $1599 MSRP and currently averages $1649, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 and now averages $60. The GeForce GTX 1060 costs 96.4% less ($1589 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 23.1 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 626% better value. The GeForce RTX 4090 is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2016).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1599 | $249-84% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $1649 | $60-96% |
| Performance per Dollar | 23.1 | 167.7+626% |
| Codename | AD102 | GP104 |
| Release | September 20 2022 | May 27 2016 |
| Ranking | #4 | #137 |
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