GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB vs Radeon HD 7970

When comparing GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and Radeon HD 7970, 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 Radeon HD 7970 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

Main Specs

  GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB Radeon HD 7970
Power consumption (TDP) 120 Watt 300 Watt
Interface PCIe 3.0 x16 PCIe 3.0 x16
Supplementary power connectors 1x 6-pin 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin
Memory type GDDR5 GDDR5
Maximum RAM amount 3 GB 3 GB
Display Connectors 1x DVI, 1x HDMI, 3x DisplayPort 1x DVI, 1x HDMI, 2x mini-DisplayPort
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  • Radeon HD 7970 has 150% 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 1060 3 GB and Radeon HD 7970 have maximum RAM of 3 GB.
  • Both cards are used in Desktops.
  • GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB is build with Pascal architecture, and Radeon HD 7970 - with GCN.
  • GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB is manufactured by 16 nm process technology, and Radeon HD 7970 - by 28 nm process technology.
  • Radeon HD 7970 is 24 mm longer, than GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB.
  • Memory clock speed of GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB is 6633 MHz higher, than Radeon HD 7970.

Game benchmarks

high / 1080p 50−55 35−40
ultra / 1080p 30−35 21−24
QHD / 1440p 24−27 16−18
4K / 2160p 14−16 10−11
low / 720p 75−80 60−65
medium / 1080p 60−65 40−45
The average gaming FPS of GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB in Assassin's Creed Odyssey is 37% more, than Radeon HD 7970.

Full Specs

  GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB Radeon HD 7970
Architecture Pascal GCN
Code name GP106 Tahiti XT
Type Desktop Desktop
Release date 18 August 2016 22 December 2011
Pipelines 1152 2048
Core clock speed 1506 MHz
Boost Clock 1708 MHz 925 MHz
Transistor count 4,400 million 4,313 million
Manufacturing process technology 16 nm 28 nm
Texture fill rate 123.0 118.4
Floating-point performance 3,935 gflops 3,789 gflops
Length 250 mm 274 mm
Memory bus width 192 Bit 384 Bit
Memory clock speed 8008 MHz 1375 MHz
Memory bandwidth 192.2 GB/s 264 GB/s
Shared memory -
DirectX 12 (12_1)
Shader Model 6.4 5.1
OpenGL 4.6 4.6
OpenCL 1.2 1.2
Vulkan +
CUDA 6.1
FreeSync +
Bus support PCIe 2.1 x16
HDMI +
Bitcoin / BTC (SHA256) 485 Mh/s
Eyefinity +
Design reference
CrossFire +
Ethereum / ETH (DaggerHashimoto) 19 Mh/s 20.71 Mh/s
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