GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB comes out dramatically faster — about 44% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1060. It also wins on performance-per-dollar, making it the cleaner choice when you can afford it.
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GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs GeForce GTX 1060: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs GeForce GTX 1060
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is dramatically faster, around 44% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1060. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB packs 2,560 CUDA cores versus 1,280 on the GeForce GTX 1060.
Price & Value
The GeForce GTX 1060 currently lists from $134 GBP, $46 GBP less than the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB at $180 GBP. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB wins on performance-per-dollar by about 7%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is trading below its $299 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is trading below its $249 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the GeForce GTX 1060 is the gentler choice at 120W versus 130W. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 130W draw means more heat and a bigger PSU. Its more modern Ampere architecture on a Samsung 8nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB carries 8GB versus 6GB on the GeForce GTX 1060. The extra 2GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB's memory is also faster — 224 GB/s versus 192 GB/s (128-bit vs 192-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is roughly 6 years newer than the GeForce GTX 1060 (Ampere vs Pascal), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1060 or GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the all-round winner here — it's faster and the better value, so buy it if it fits your budget. Only consider the GeForce GTX 1060 if you find it at a steep discount.