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

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
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  • 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.

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 +
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