GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB pulls ahead here — in a different league, about 157% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1060. It also wins on performance-per-dollar, making it the cleaner choice when you can afford it.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
Comparable or lower specs
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce GTX 1060: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce GTX 1060
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is dramatically faster, around 157% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1060. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce GTX 1060 is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB packs 3,584 CUDA cores versus 1,280 on the GeForce GTX 1060.
Price & Value
Pricing has the GeForce GTX 1060 at $154 GBP, $188 GBP under the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's $342 GBP. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB wins on performance-per-dollar by about 16%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is trading below its $299 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
At 120W vs 170W, the GeForce GTX 1060 is the gentler load on your system. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's extra power draw buys more performance per watt, not just more heat — worth it if your PSU has the headroom. 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 3060 12GB carries 12GB versus 6GB on the GeForce GTX 1060. The extra 6GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's memory is also faster — 360 GB/s versus 192 GB/s — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is roughly 5 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 3060 12GB?
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB better than the GeForce GTX 1060?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1060 or the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB worth the extra $188 GBP over the GeForce GTX 1060?
Does the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1060 or GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 16nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 1,280 | 3,584✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 28 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 112 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,506 MHz✓ | 1,320 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,708 MHz | 1,777 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB | 12 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 192-bit |
| Memory Speed | 8 Gbps | 15 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 192 GB/s | 360 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 120 W✓ | 170 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 6-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Jul 2016 | Feb 2021 |
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