GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB vs GeForce GTX 970

When comparing GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and GeForce GTX 970, we look primarily at benchmarks and game tests. But it is not only about the numbers. Often you can find third-party models with higher clock speeds, better cooling, or a customizable RGB lighting. Not all of them will have all the features you need. Another thing to consider is the port selection. Most graphics cards have at least one DisplayPort and HDMI interface, but some monitors require DVI. Before you buy, check the TDP of the graphics card - this characteristic will help you estimate the consumption of the graphics card. You may even have to upgrade your PSU to meet its requirements. An important factor when choosing between GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and GeForce GTX 970 is the price. Does the additional cost justify the performance hit? Our comparison should help you make the right decision.

GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB

GeForce GTX 970 Check Price

Main Specs

	GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB	GeForce GTX 970
Power consumption (TDP)	120 Watt	148 Watt
Interface	PCIe 3.0 x16	PCIe 3.0 x16
Supplementary power connectors	1x 6-pin	2x 6-pins
Memory type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Maximum RAM amount	3 GB	4 GB
Display Connectors	1x DVI, 1x HDMI, 3x DisplayPort	1x DVI, 1x HDMI, 3x DisplayPort
Recommended system power (PSU)		500 Watt
		Check Price

GeForce GTX 970 has 23% more power consumption, than GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB.
Both video cards are using PCIe 3.0 x16 interface connection to a motherboard.
GeForce GTX 970 has 1 GB more memory, than GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB.
Both cards are used in Desktops.
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB is build with Pascal architecture, and GeForce GTX 970 - with Maxwell.
Core clock speed of GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB is 456 MHz higher, than GeForce GTX 970.
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB is manufactured by 16 nm process technology, and GeForce GTX 970 - by 28 nm process technology.
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB is 240 mm longer, than GeForce GTX 970.
Memory clock speed of GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB is 8001 MHz higher, than GeForce GTX 970.

Game benchmarks


high / 1080p	50−55	50−55
ultra / 1080p	30−35	30−35
QHD / 1440p	24−27	27−30
4K / 2160p	14−16	14−16
low / 720p	75−80	75−80
medium / 1080p	60−65	60−65
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and GeForce GTX 970 have the same average FPS in Assassin's Creed Odyssey.
high / 1080p	75−80	75−80
ultra / 1080p	70−75	70−75
QHD / 1440p	50−55	50−55
4K / 2160p	27−30	27−30
low / 720p	130−140	130−140
medium / 1080p	85−90	85−90
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and GeForce GTX 970 have the same average FPS in Battlefield 5.
low / 768p	45−50	45−50
QHD / 1440p	45−50	45−50
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and GeForce GTX 970 have the same average FPS in Call of Duty: Warzone.
low / 768p	250−260	250−260
medium / 768p	230−240	230−240
QHD / 1440p	150−160	150−160
4K / 2160p	100−110	100−110
high / 768p	220−230	220−230
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and GeForce GTX 970 have the same average FPS in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
low / 768p	70−75	70−75
medium / 1080p	50−55	50−55
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and GeForce GTX 970 have the same average FPS in Cyberpunk 2077.
low / 768p	120−130	120−130
medium / 768p	110−120	110−120
ultra / 1080p	110−120	110−120
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and GeForce GTX 970 have the same average FPS in Dota 2.
high / 1080p	60−65	60−65
ultra / 1080p	60−65	60−65
QHD / 1440p	40−45	40−45
4K / 2160p	21−24	21−24
low / 720p	100−110	100−110
medium / 1080p	65−70	65−70
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and GeForce GTX 970 have the same average FPS in Far Cry 5.
high / 1080p	90−95	90−95
ultra / 1080p	70−75	70−75
QHD / 1440p	45−50	45−50
4K / 2160p	21−24	21−24
low / 720p	220−230	220−230
medium / 1080p	140−150	140−150
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and GeForce GTX 970 have the same average FPS in Fortnite.
high / 1080p	85−90	85−90
ultra / 1080p	65−70	65−70
QHD / 1440p	45−50	45−50
4K / 2160p	30−35	30−35
low / 720p	130−140	130−140
medium / 1080p	90−95	90−95
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and GeForce GTX 970 have the same average FPS in Forza Horizon 4.
low / 768p	160−170	160−170
medium / 768p	150−160	150−160
high / 1080p	95−100	95−100
ultra / 1080p	45−50	45−50
QHD / 1440p	40−45	40−45
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and GeForce GTX 970 have the same average FPS in Grand Theft Auto V.
high / 1080p	35−40	35−40
ultra / 1080p	30−35	30−35
QHD / 1440p	24−27	24−27
4K / 2160p	14−16	14−16
low / 720p	90−95	95−100
medium / 1080p	50−55	50−55
The average gaming FPS of GeForce GTX 970 in Metro Exodus is 2% more, than GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB.
low / 768p	120−130	120−130
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and GeForce GTX 970 have the same average FPS in Minecraft.
high / 1080p	75−80	75−80
ultra / 1080p	55−60	55−60
4K / 2160p	18−20	18−20
low / 720p	120−130	120−130
medium / 1080p	85−90	85−90
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and GeForce GTX 970 have the same average FPS in PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS.
high / 1080p	35−40	35−40
ultra / 1080p	21−24	24−27
QHD / 1440p	16−18	16−18
4K / 2160p	10−11	10−12
low / 720p	90−95	90−95
medium / 1080p	55−60	55−60
The average gaming FPS of GeForce GTX 970 in Red Dead Redemption 2 is 2% more, than GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB.
low / 768p	180−190	180−190
medium / 768p	120−130	120−130
high / 1080p	70−75	70−75
ultra / 1080p	40−45	40−45
4K / 2160p	24−27	24−27
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and GeForce GTX 970 have the same average FPS in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
low / 768p	120−130	120−130
ultra / 1080p	65−70	65−70
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and GeForce GTX 970 have the same average FPS in World of Tanks.

Full Specs

	GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB	GeForce GTX 970
Architecture	Pascal	Maxwell
Code name	GP106	GM204
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Release date	18 August 2016	19 September 2014
Pipelines	1152	1664
Core clock speed	1506 MHz	1050 MHz
Boost Clock	1708 MHz	1178 MHz
Transistor count	4,400 million	5,200 million
Manufacturing process technology	16 nm	28 nm
Texture fill rate	123.0	109 billion/sec
Floating-point performance	3,935 gflops	3,920 gflops
Length	250 mm	10.5" (26.7 cm)
Memory bus width	192 Bit	256 Bit
Memory clock speed	8008 MHz	7.0 GB/s
Memory bandwidth	192.2 GB/s	224 GB/s
Shared memory		-
G-SYNC support		+
DirectX	12 (12_1)	12 (12_1)
Shader Model	6.4	6.4
OpenGL	4.6	4.4
OpenCL	1.2	1.2
Vulkan	+	1.1.126
CUDA	6.1	+
Monero / XMR (CryptoNight)		0.48 kh/s
CUDA cores		1664
Bus support		PCI Express 3.0
Height		4.376" (11.1 cm)
SLI options		+
Multi monitor support		4 displays
HDCP		+
Maximum VGA resolution		2048x1536
Audio input for HDMI		Internal
Bitcoin / BTC (SHA256)		478 Mh/s
Decred / DCR (Decred)		1.51 Gh/s
Ethereum / ETH (DaggerHashimoto)	19 Mh/s	22.21 Mh/s
Zcash / ZEC (Equihash)		291.61 Sol/s
GameStream		+
GeForce ShadowPlay		+
GPU Boost		2.0
GameWorks		+
		Check Price

GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB vs GeForce GTX 970

Main Specs

Game benchmarks

Full Specs

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