GTX 1060 Overview
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 is a very popular mid-range Pascal GPU, excellent for 1080p gaming and still very relevant in budget builds today.
GTX 1060 Price History & Trends
↘ Decreasing
GTX 1060 Current Price:
$45
GTX 1060 MSRP:
$249
GTX 1060 Peak Price: (05/2021)
$366
You Save:
$321
GTX 1060 Key Specifications
GTX 1060 PassMark Score:
4166
GTX 1060 Value Score:
93
GTX 1060 Pros:
- Good for 1080p gaming in many titles
- Very efficient
- Affordable on secondary market
GTX 1060 Cons:
- Weak for high settings in modern games
- No ray tracing or next gen features
- Memory limitations for future titles
Is the GTX 1060 6GB still playable for 1080p gaming in 2025, or is it obsolete for new AAA titles?
The GTX 1060 6GB is nearing obsolescence for new AAA titles in 2025. You'll be limited to 1080p Low-to-Medium settings, often requiring FSR to stay above 30-40 FPS. It remains excellent for eSports and older titles.
What are the absolute lowest VRAM-intensive settings I should use to ensure a high, stable framerate in competitive shooters on the 1060?
Disable all advanced post-processing effects, set texture quality to Medium or Low, and turn off motion blur, ambient occlusion, and dynamic shadows. This ensures maximum VRAM availability and stability.
What is the key performance difference between the GTX 1060 6GB and the 3GB versions in 2025?
The 6GB version is about 5-10% faster due to a more capable GPU core (more CUDA cores) and the essential 6GB of VRAM. The 3GB model is heavily VRAM-limited in all modern games and should be avoided for new titles in 2025.
Can I use the GTX 1060 6GB for entry-level video editing and content creation in 2025?
Yes, the GTX 1060 6GB is a solid entry point for 1080p video editing, especially when paired with software that can utilize its NVENC for fast encoding/decoding, such as Adobe Premiere Pro.
What is the minimum recommended CPU to avoid a bottleneck with the GTX 1060 6GB at 1080p?
A budget quad-core CPU from a few generations ago, such as an Intel Core i5-7600K or an AMD Ryzen 5 1600, is the minimum required to avoid a significant bottleneck with the GTX 1060 6GB at 1080p.
What are the common aftermarket cooler options that significantly improve GTX 1060 noise and temperatures?
Cards with a custom dual-fan cooler (from ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, etc.) are generally great. For small form factor cases, finding a powerful single-fan model is key, but the stock cooling is usually adequate for this low-power card.
Can the GTX 1060 6GB handle modern game streaming using its NVENC encoder for Twitch?
The GTX 1060 6GB uses the older Pascal-generation NVENC, which can handle basic 720p or 1080p/30fps streaming. It is usable for beginner streaming, but the quality will be lower than that of Turing (16-series) or RTX cards.
Is overclocking the VRAM on the GTX 1060 6GB more effective than overclocking the core clock for FPS gains?
For the GTX 1060, increasing the memory clock (VRAM overclock) often yields more noticeable and stable performance gains than pushing the core clock, especially in VRAM-intensive games.
Is a used GTX 1060 6GB a better buy than a new entry-level GPU like the Intel Arc A380 in 2025?
The Intel Arc A380 offers newer features and better VRAM management but has a less mature driver ecosystem. The GTX 1060 is more reliable for a vast library of games, making it the safer, consistent used purchase.
How much power does the GTX 1060 6GB consume, and what size power supply is needed for it?
The GTX 1060 6GB has a low TDP of 120W and typically requires a single 6-pin power connector. A good quality 450W power supply is sufficient for the entire system.
