NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB GDDR5X
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB GDDR5X: Review and Analysis for 2025
Balanced classic for budget systems or an outdated solution?
1. Architecture and Key Features
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB GDDR5X graphics card is based on the Pascal architecture, released in 2016. Despite its age, this model saw a resurgence in 2023 due to the transition to GDDR5X memory, which improved its performance in modern tasks.
- Manufacturing technology: 16 nm process (FinFET from TSMC).
- Cores: 1280 CUDA cores, base frequency — 1506 MHz, turbo mode — up to 1708 MHz.
- Unique features: Support for DirectX 12, Vulkan API, and NVIDIA Ansel for creating 360° screenshots. However, the RTX technologies (ray tracing) and DLSS are absent — these are reserved for newer RTX series.
The card is aimed at gamers who value stability and proven reliability rather than cutting-edge effects.
2. Memory: Type, Size, and Impact on Performance
The main upgrade for the GTX 1060 in 2023 is the shift from GDDR5 to GDDR5X:
- Size: 6 GB.
- Bus: 192-bit.
- Memory speed: 10 Gbps per chip, which provides a bandwidth of 240 GB/s (compared to 192 GB/s for the original version).
This improvement is particularly noticeable in games with large textures (such as Cyberpunk 2077 or Red Dead Redemption 2), where the FPS gain reaches 10-15% compared to the GDDR5 version. However, for memory-intensive tasks (like rendering 4K video), 6 GB is already insufficient.
3. Gaming Performance
The GTX 1060 6 GB GDDR5X remains relevant for 1080p gaming at medium settings:
- Cyberpunk 2077: ~35-40 FPS (medium settings, without Ray Tracing).
- Apex Legends: ~90-100 FPS (high settings).
- Elden Ring: ~45-50 FPS (medium settings).
At 1440p, the card only manages less demanding titles (CS2, Valorant) or with reduced graphics settings. 4K is impractical: FPS rarely exceeds 25-30 even at low settings.
Ray tracing is unavailable due to the lack of RT cores. In games with hybrid rendering (like Shadow of the Tomb Raider), enabling RTX reduces performance to 15-20 FPS.
4. Professional Tasks
For basic professional tasks, the card is suitable but with caveats:
- Video editing: In Adobe Premiere Pro, rendering a 1080p project takes ~30-40% longer than it does with modern GPUs (like the RTX 3060).
- 3D modeling: In Blender (using CUDA), rendering a moderately complex scene takes 2-3 times longer than on an RTX 3060.
- Scientific calculations: Support for CUDA and OpenCL allows for basic-level machine learning, but 6 GB of memory limits work with large neural network models.
5. Power Consumption and Heat Dissipation
- TDP: 130 W (10 W higher than the original GTX 1060).
- Cooling recommendations:
- A decent air cooler with 2-3 heat pipes is sufficient (e.g., versions from ASUS Dual or MSI Gaming X).
- A case with 2-3 fans (intake at the front, exhaust at the back) to keep the temperature below 75°C under load.
The card doesn't require liquid cooling solutions or massive radiators, making it convenient for compact builds.
6. Comparison with Competitors
Main competitors in 2025:
- AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT 4 GB: Cheaper (~$140) but weaker at 1440p and suffers from a lack of VRAM.
- Intel Arc A580 8 GB: Better at handling DX12 and Vulkan, but requires updated drivers.
- NVIDIA RTX 3050 6 GB: 20-25% faster, supports DLSS, but more expensive (~$200).
The GTX 1060 GDDR5X occupies a niche between budget newcomers and used RTX 2060s, offering stability and low price.
7. Practical Tips
- Power supply: A 450 W unit with an 80+ Bronze certification is sufficient (e.g., Corsair CX450).
- Compatibility: PCIe 3.0 x16, works on platforms with Intel 8th generation processors and newer or AMD Ryzen 2000+.
- Drivers: NVIDIA stopped major updates in 2024, but critical fixes are released. New games may experience optimization issues.
8. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Low price (~$160 for new models).
- Energy efficiency.
- Support for modern APIs (DX12, Vulkan).
Cons:
- No ray tracing and DLSS.
- 6 GB of memory is insufficient for AAA games in 2025 at high settings.
- Limited performance in professional tasks.
9. Final Conclusion
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB GDDR5X is a choice for:
- Budget gamers looking to play at medium settings in 1080p.
- Owners of older PCs seeking a simple upgrade without replacing the power supply.
- Enthusiasts building secondary systems for streaming or indie games.
However, if you plan to dive into the world of Ray Tracing or work with 4K content, it’s better to consider the RTX 3060 or AMD RX 7600. The GTX 1060 GDDR5X symbolizes a balance between price and performance, but its time is gradually running out.