The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 has been a popular choice among gamers since its release in 2016. With its impressive performance and affordable price tag, it quickly became a favorite among those looking to upgrade their gaming rigs without breaking the bank. However, with the rapid advancement of technology and the release of newer, more powerful graphics cards, the question remains: is a GTX 1060 still good for gaming?
Understanding the GTX 1060’s Capabilities
To answer this question, let’s take a closer look at the GTX 1060’s specifications and capabilities. The GTX 1060 is a mid-range graphics card that is based on the Pascal architecture. It features 1280 CUDA cores, 6 GB of GDDR5 memory, and a memory bandwidth of 192 GB/s. These specs allow the GTX 1060 to deliver smooth performance in a wide range of games, including popular titles like Fortnite, League of Legends, and Overwatch.
Performance in Modern Games
So, how does the GTX 1060 perform in modern games? The answer is, it depends on the game and the settings you’re using. In general, the GTX 1060 can handle most modern games at medium to high settings, but it may struggle with more demanding titles or those that require 4K resolution.
For example, in Fortnite, the GTX 1060 can deliver an average frame rate of around 60 FPS at 1080p resolution with medium settings. However, if you crank up the settings to high or try to play at 1440p or 4K resolution, the frame rate will likely drop significantly.
Similarly, in League of Legends, the GTX 1060 can handle high settings at 1080p resolution with ease, but may struggle with more demanding champions or larger team fights.
Benchmarking the GTX 1060
To give you a better idea of the GTX 1060’s performance, let’s take a look at some benchmarking results. In the popular 3DMark Time Spy benchmark, the GTX 1060 scores around 5,500 points, which is respectable but not spectacular.
In the Unigine Heaven benchmark, the GTX 1060 scores around 1,500 points, which is a bit lower than some of the newer graphics cards on the market.
| Benchmark | GTX 1060 Score |
| — | — |
| 3DMark Time Spy | 5,500 points |
| Unigine Heaven | 1,500 points |
Comparing the GTX 1060 to Newer Graphics Cards
So, how does the GTX 1060 compare to some of the newer graphics cards on the market? The answer is, it depends on the specific card you’re comparing it to.
For example, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super is a more recent mid-range graphics card that offers improved performance and power efficiency compared to the GTX 1060. In the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark, the GTX 1660 Super scores around 7,000 points, which is significantly higher than the GTX 1060.
On the other hand, the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT is a mid-range graphics card that offers competitive performance to the GTX 1060 at a similar price point. In the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark, the RX 5600 XT scores around 6,000 points, which is slightly higher than the GTX 1060.
Upgrading from a GTX 1060
If you’re currently using a GTX 1060 and are looking to upgrade, there are several options to consider. If you’re looking for a significant performance boost, you may want to consider upgrading to a higher-end graphics card like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 or the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT.
However, if you’re on a budget and just want to squeeze a bit more performance out of your system, you may want to consider upgrading to a mid-range graphics card like the GTX 1660 Super or the RX 5600 XT.
Things to Consider Before Upgrading
Before upgrading your graphics card, there are several things to consider. First, make sure your system is compatible with the new graphics card. This includes checking the power supply, motherboard, and case to ensure they can handle the new card.
Second, consider the cost of the upgrade. While a new graphics card may offer improved performance, it may not be worth the cost if you’re on a tight budget.
Finally, consider the power consumption of the new graphics card. If you’re looking to upgrade to a more powerful card, you may need to upgrade your power supply as well.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 is still a viable option for gaming, but its performance may vary depending on the game and settings you’re using. While it can handle most modern games at medium to high settings, it may struggle with more demanding titles or those that require 4K resolution.
If you’re currently using a GTX 1060 and are looking to upgrade, there are several options to consider. However, before upgrading, make sure to consider the cost, compatibility, and power consumption of the new graphics card.
Ultimately, the GTX 1060 is a great option for those on a budget or who are just looking for a reliable graphics card for casual gaming. However, if you’re looking for top-of-the-line performance, you may want to consider upgrading to a more powerful graphics card.
Final Thoughts
The GTX 1060 may not be the most powerful graphics card on the market, but it’s still a great option for those who want to enjoy smooth gaming performance without breaking the bank. With its affordable price tag and impressive performance, it’s no wonder the GTX 1060 has remained a popular choice among gamers for so long.
Whether you’re a casual gamer or a serious enthusiast, the GTX 1060 is definitely worth considering. So, if you’re in the market for a new graphics card, be sure to check out the GTX 1060 and see if it’s right for you.
What is the GTX 1060 and how does it compare to other graphics cards?
The GTX 1060 is a mid-range graphics card released by NVIDIA in 2016. It is based on the Pascal architecture and offers 1280 CUDA cores, 6 GB of GDDR5 memory, and a 128-bit memory bus. Compared to other graphics cards, the GTX 1060 is positioned between the GTX 1050 and GTX 1070 in terms of performance. It offers a good balance between price and performance, making it a popular choice for gamers who want to play modern games at high settings without breaking the bank.
In comparison to other graphics cards, the GTX 1060 is still a viable option for gaming, especially for those who want to play games at 1080p or 1440p resolutions. However, it may struggle with 4K gaming and demanding games that require a lot of graphics processing power. Overall, the GTX 1060 is a good choice for gamers who want a reliable and affordable graphics card that can handle modern games at high settings.
Is the GTX 1060 still a viable option for gaming in 2023?
Yes, the GTX 1060 is still a viable option for gaming in 2023, especially for those who want to play games at 1080p or 1440p resolutions. Although it is an older graphics card, it still offers good performance and can handle modern games at high settings. Additionally, the GTX 1060 is widely supported by game developers, and many games are optimized to run well on this graphics card.
However, it’s worth noting that the GTX 1060 may not be the best choice for gamers who want to play the latest games at 4K resolutions or with ray tracing and other advanced graphics features. For these types of games, a more powerful graphics card such as the RTX 3070 or RTX 3080 may be a better option. Overall, the GTX 1060 is still a good choice for gamers who want a reliable and affordable graphics card that can handle modern games at high settings.
What are the system requirements for the GTX 1060?
The system requirements for the GTX 1060 include a 400-watt power supply, a 64-bit operating system, and a motherboard with a PCIe x16 slot. Additionally, the GTX 1060 requires a minimum of 4 GB of system memory, but 8 GB or more is recommended for optimal performance. In terms of CPU, the GTX 1060 can be paired with a wide range of processors, including Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors, as well as AMD Ryzen 3, 5, and 7 processors.
It’s also worth noting that the GTX 1060 requires a minimum of Windows 10 64-bit or Linux 64-bit to operate. Additionally, the graphics card requires a minimum of 1.5 GB of free disk space for the driver installation. Overall, the system requirements for the GTX 1060 are relatively modest, making it a good choice for gamers who want to build a gaming PC on a budget.
Can the GTX 1060 handle 4K gaming?
The GTX 1060 can handle 4K gaming, but it may struggle with demanding games that require a lot of graphics processing power. At 4K resolutions, the GTX 1060 may not be able to maintain a smooth frame rate, especially in games that require a lot of graphics processing power. However, for less demanding games, the GTX 1060 can still offer good performance at 4K resolutions.
To achieve smooth performance at 4K resolutions, gamers may need to reduce the graphics settings or use technologies such as NVIDIA’s DLSS (deep learning super sampling) to improve performance. Additionally, the GTX 1060 may not be able to handle 4K gaming with ray tracing and other advanced graphics features, which require a lot of graphics processing power. Overall, the GTX 1060 is not the best choice for 4K gaming, but it can still offer good performance for less demanding games.
How does the GTX 1060 compare to the GTX 1660?
The GTX 1660 is a more powerful graphics card than the GTX 1060, offering better performance and more features. The GTX 1660 is based on the Turing architecture and offers 1408 CUDA cores, 6 GB of GDDR6 memory, and a 128-bit memory bus. In comparison, the GTX 1060 offers 1280 CUDA cores, 6 GB of GDDR5 memory, and a 128-bit memory bus.
In terms of performance, the GTX 1660 offers around 10-20% better performance than the GTX 1060, depending on the game and settings. Additionally, the GTX 1660 supports more advanced features such as ray tracing, artificial intelligence-enhanced graphics, and variable rate shading. Overall, the GTX 1660 is a better choice for gamers who want a more powerful graphics card with more features.
Can the GTX 1060 be overclocked?
Yes, the GTX 1060 can be overclocked to improve its performance. Overclocking involves increasing the clock speed of the graphics card to achieve better performance. The GTX 1060 can be overclocked using software such as NVIDIA’s Inspector or MSI’s Afterburner. However, overclocking can also increase the power consumption and heat generation of the graphics card, so it’s essential to monitor the temperatures and power consumption to avoid damaging the card.
To overclock the GTX 1060, gamers can increase the clock speed of the GPU, memory, and voltage. However, it’s essential to do so gradually and monitor the performance and temperatures to avoid instability or damage to the card. Additionally, overclocking may void the warranty of the graphics card, so it’s essential to check the warranty terms before attempting to overclock the GTX 1060.
Is the GTX 1060 still worth buying in 2023?
Yes, the GTX 1060 is still worth buying in 2023, especially for gamers who want a reliable and affordable graphics card that can handle modern games at high settings. Although it is an older graphics card, the GTX 1060 still offers good performance and is widely supported by game developers. Additionally, the GTX 1060 is relatively affordable, making it a good choice for gamers on a budget.
However, it’s worth noting that the GTX 1060 may not be the best choice for gamers who want the latest and greatest graphics features or who want to play games at 4K resolutions. For these types of games, a more powerful graphics card such as the RTX 3070 or RTX 3080 may be a better option. Overall, the GTX 1060 is still a good choice for gamers who want a reliable and affordable graphics card that can handle modern games at high settings.