GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB vs GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB: specs and benchmark comparison
Short verdict
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: rendering and compute. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
Compare with AIRendering and compute
B +31.8%NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB leads in this scenario (up to 31.8% in comparable benchmarks).
No comparable benchmarks yet: gaming: rasterization, gaming: ray tracing, power efficiency.
Advantages
Only measured and rated values: a noticeable benchmark gap and specs where more is better.
Where GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB is better1
Memory bandwidth 0.2 GB/s more192.2 GB/s vs 192 GB/s
Where GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB is better3
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0 31.8% faster361 samples/min vs 274 samples/min
Shader units 128 more1,280 (CUDA cores) vs 1,152 (CUDA cores)
Video memory 3 GB more6 GB vs 3 GB
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions.
- B ahead by 31.8%
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0
GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) · samples/min, higher is better
GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB273.7 samples/minGeForce GTX 1060 6 GB360.7 samples/minPosition among tested models (67, OptiX)
A · 274B · 36105,00010,00015,000Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB is ahead by 31.8% in this benchmark.
About the measurement and source
- A · NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB
273.7 samples/min · community measurement, sample 30 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 30 submissions (1 outliers excluded), interquartile range 261.53–284.14; submissions 2025-07-18 to 2026-01-30; OPTIX backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
- B · NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
360.7 samples/min · community measurement, sample 57 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 57 submissions (5 outliers excluded), interquartile range 351.09–366.92; submissions 2025-07-29 to 2026-06-11; OPTIX backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
difference = |A − B| ÷ the smaller value × 100%. The 5% noticeable threshold is a UX heuristic, not statistical significance.
Cycles render in Blender Benchmark. Median of the sum of samples per minute over three scenes after removing outliers.
Reference results (49)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 2.92GPU, bmw27 (CUDA) | 160.2 | 154.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 2.93.1GPU, bmw27 (CUDA) | 139.4 | 130.9 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 2.92GPU, bmw27 (OPTIX) | 179.7 | 158.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 2.93.1GPU, bmw27 (OPTIX) | 183.4 | 163.9 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 2.92GPU, classroom (CUDA) | 516.2 | 528 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 2.93.1GPU, classroom (CUDA) | 479.5 | 473.5 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 2.92GPU, classroom (OPTIX) | 647.7 | 583.9 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 2.92GPU, fishy_cat (CUDA) | 316.2 | 305.7 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 2.93.1GPU, fishy_cat (CUDA) | 325.3 | 304.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 2.92GPU, koro (CUDA) | 528.5 | 530.6 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 2.93.1GPU, koro (CUDA) | 553.3 | 529.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 2.92GPU, pavillon_barcelona (CUDA) | 884.3 | 866.6 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 2.93.1GPU, pavillon_barcelona (CUDA) | 832 | 797.5 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 2.92GPU, pavillon_barcelona (OPTIX) | 936.5 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 2.93.1GPU, victor (CUDA) | 22,922 | 1,242.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.4.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (CUDA) | 387.4 | 454 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.2.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (CUDA) | 357.4 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.1GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | 263.2 | 283.7 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.2.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | 232.8 | 316.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.1.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | 314.3 | 392.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.1GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | 251.1 | 383.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.3.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | 258.8 | 392.5 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.4.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | 291.6 | 388.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.5.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | 295.6 | 391.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.6.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | 305.6 | 390.9 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.0.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | 299.6 | 370.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.1.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | 331.8 | 368.4 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.4.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | 273.3 | 360.5 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.0.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | 184.6 | 294.6 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | 204 | 308.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 2.81GPU, bmw27 (CUDA) | — | 150.8 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 2.90.1GPU, bmw27 (CUDA) | — | 156.3 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 2.90.1GPU, classroom (CUDA) | — | 519.8 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 2.93.1GPU, classroom (OPTIX) | — | 613.1 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 2.92GPU, fishy_cat (OPTIX) | — | 318.3 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 2.93.1GPU, fishy_cat (OPTIX) | — | 321.2 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 2.92GPU, koro (OPTIX) | — | 479.8 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 2.93.1GPU, koro (OPTIX) | — | 368 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 2.93.1GPU, pavillon_barcelona (OPTIX) | — | 895.1 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 2.92GPU, victor (CUDA) | — | 1,599.7 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 2.93.1GPU, victor (OPTIX) | — | 1,279.1 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.3.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (CUDA) | — | 382.7 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.5.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (CUDA) | — | 456.1 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 4.0.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (CUDA) | — | 429.8 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 4.5.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (CUDA) | — | 471.9 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 4.2.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | — | 366.4 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.0.1GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | — | 445.9 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | — | 388.5 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 4.3.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | — | 359.7 | no pair |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
| Specification | A · GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB | B · GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chip | |||
| Architecture | Pascal | Pascal | equal |
| Shader unitsShader unit counts are comparable only within one architecture. | 1,152 (CUDA cores) | 1,280 (CUDA cores) | B: 128 more |
| Clocks | |||
| Base clock | 1,506 MHz | 1,506 MHz | equal |
| Boost clockClocks of different architectures do not reflect performance directly. For laptop chips, the clock depends on the laptop’s power limit. | 1,708 MHz | 1,708 MHz | equal |
| Memory | |||
| Video memory | 3 GB | 6 GB | B: 3 GB more |
| Memory type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 | equal |
| Memory bus | 192 bit | 192 bit | equal |
| Memory bandwidthExcludes cache (Infinity Cache / L2), which affects effective bandwidth differently. | 192.2 GB/s | 192 GB/s | A: 0.2 GB/s more |
| Power and dimensions | |||
| Board powerTGP (NVIDIA) and TBP (AMD/Intel) are calculated differently; higher is not better. For laptops, the chip maker sets the range and the laptop maker picks the value, so the same chip behaves differently in different laptops. | 120 W (TDP) | 120 W (board power) | not directly comparable |
| Recommended PSU | no data | 400 W | no data for A |
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 | differs |
| Length (reference / Founders Edition)Partner cards have different dimensions; check the specific SKU. | no data | 250 mm | no data for A |
| Thickness (slots) | no data | 2 | no data for A |
| Power connectors (reference) | no data | 1x 6-pin | no data for A |
Chip
Architecture
APascal
BPascal
equalShader units
A1,152 (CUDA cores)
B1,280 (CUDA cores)
B: 128 moreShader unit counts are comparable only within one architecture.
Clocks
Base clock
A1,506 MHz
B1,506 MHz
equalBoost clock
A1,708 MHz
B1,708 MHz
equalClocks of different architectures do not reflect performance directly. For laptop chips, the clock depends on the laptop’s power limit.
Memory
Video memory
A3 GB
B6 GB
B: 3 GB moreMemory type
AGDDR5
BGDDR5
equalMemory bus
A192 bit
B192 bit
equalMemory bandwidth
A192.2 GB/s
B192 GB/s
A: 0.2 GB/s moreExcludes cache (Infinity Cache / L2), which affects effective bandwidth differently.
Power and dimensions
Board power
A120 W (TDP)
B120 W (board power)
not directly comparableTGP (NVIDIA) and TBP (AMD/Intel) are calculated differently; higher is not better. For laptops, the chip maker sets the range and the laptop maker picks the value, so the same chip behaves differently in different laptops.
Recommended PSU
Ano data
B400 W
no data for AInterface
APCIe 3.0 x16
BPCIe 3.0
differsLength (reference / Founders Edition)
Ano data
B250 mm
no data for APartner cards have different dimensions; check the specific SKU.
Thickness (slots)
Ano data
B2
no data for APower connectors (reference)
Ano data
B1x 6-pin
no data for A
“More” does not always mean “better”: higher power draw or size is a system requirement, not an advantage (such bars are dimmed).
Compare with AI
An AI model reviews the specs and benchmarks of this pair and gives a plain-language verdict on who each model suits.
Questions and answers
How much video memory do NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB have?
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB: 3 GB GDDR5, 192-bit bus. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB: 6 GB GDDR5, 192-bit bus.
Which PCIe interface do the cards use?
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB: PCIe 3.0 x16. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB: PCIe 3.0.
Which is faster: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB?
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: rendering and compute. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
See also
Data sources (3)
- Wikipedia (English) — specifications of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB, release date and launch pricechecked November 14, 2026
- NVIDIA — specifications of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GBchecked November 7, 2026
- Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation) — benchmark Blender Benchmark 2.92, benchmark Blender Benchmark 2.93.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 2.81, benchmark Blender Benchmark 2.90.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.6.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.0.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.3.0checked November 14, 2026
How we compare: methodology. Where the data comes from: sources.