GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce GTX 960
On raw speed the GeForce GTX 1060 comes out ahead: far and away the quicker card, about 133% ahead of the GeForce GTX 960. Best performance and best value in one card here β the clear recommendation if you can afford it.
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Comparable or lower specs
GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce GTX 960: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce GTX 960
The GeForce GTX 1060 is dramatically faster, around 133% ahead of the GeForce GTX 960. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce GTX 1060 packs 1,280 CUDA cores versus 1,024 on the GeForce GTX 960.
Price & Value
The GeForce GTX 1060 currently lists from $23,700 JPY, $38,876 JPY less than the GeForce GTX 960 at $62,576 JPY. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX 1060 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 516%. The GeForce GTX 1060 still sits about $23,401 JPY above its $299 JPY MSRP. The GeForce GTX 960 still sits about $62,377 JPY above its $199 JPY MSRP.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
VRAM favors the GeForce GTX 1060 at 6GB versus 2GB on the GeForce GTX 960 β that extra 4GB matters most at 4K, with high-res texture packs, and for content-creation/local-AI work. The GeForce GTX 1060's memory is also faster β 192 GB/s versus 112 GB/s (192-bit vs 128-bit bus) β which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1060 or GeForce GTX 960?
The GeForce GTX 1060 is the all-round winner here β it's faster and the better value, so buy it if it fits your budget. Only consider the GeForce GTX 960 if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce GTX 1060 better than the GeForce GTX 960?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1060 or the GeForce GTX 960?
Is the GeForce GTX 960 worth the extra $38,876 JPY over the GeForce GTX 1060?
Does the GeForce GTX 1060 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1060 or GeForce GTX 960?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce GTX 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal | Maxwell |
| Process Node | TSMC 16nm | TSMC 28nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 1,280β | 1,024 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce GTX 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,506 MHzβ | 1,127 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,708 MHzβ | 1,178 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce GTX 960 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GBβ | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bitβ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 8 Gbpsβ | 7 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 192 GB/sβ | 112 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce GTX 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 120 W | 120 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 6-pin | 1x 6-pin |
| Released | Jul 2016 | Jan 2015 |