For budget-conscious gamers building or upgrading older rigs, the Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB and GTX 970 stand out as affordable GPU champions that still deliver solid 1080p performance in 2023. But which one claims the budget crown nearly a decade later? I put these two classic cards head to head across a range of key criteria to see how they stack up. Read on for a comprehensive comparison detailing which GPU comes out on top for value-focused PC builders.
A Brief History: Budget Champions of Their Day
The GTX 970 launched in September 2014 to high praise as a price-to-performance standout of Nvidia‘s Maxwell era. Priced at a reasonable $329 MSRP, it handily outperformed 2013‘s GTX 770 for nearly 40% better framerates, bringing a leap in efficiency thanks to Maxwell‘s cutting-edge 28nm design. For over two years it reigned supreme in the ~$300 market segment, cementing its reputation as an exceptional 1080p gaming card.
Its reign finally came to an end in July 2016 with the arrival of the GTX 1060 6GB. Based on Nvidia‘s latest 16nm Pascal architecture, the $299 1060 delivered a staggering 70% improvement over the outgoing GTX 960. And impressively, it even narrowly surpassed the mighty 970 due to Pascal‘s superior transistors and process technology – despite having ostensibly weaker specs on paper. So while the 1060 6GB wasn‘t a direct successor, it quickly matched then exceeded the 970‘s popularity for budget builders.
Now over 6 years later, how do these former budget champions compare head to head? Let‘s break things down category by category.
Detailed Specs and Architecture Comparison
| Spec | GTX 1060 6GB | GTX 970 | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | July 2016 | Sept 2014 | 1060 |
| GPU Architecture | 16nm Pascal | 28nm Maxwell | 1060 |
| CUDA Cores | 1280 | 1664 | 970 |
| Base Clock | 1506 MHz | 1050 MHz | 1060 |
| Boost Clock | 1709 MHz | 1178 MHz | 1060 |
| VRAM Speed / Type | 8 Gbps GDDR5 | 7 Gbps GDDR5 | 1060 |
| VRAM | 6GB | 4GB | 1060 |
| Texture Units | 80 | 104 | 970 |
| Pixel Rate | 82 GPixel/s | 66 GPixel/s | 1060 |
| TDP (Power Draw) | 120W | 148W | 1060 |
Comparing the specs shows a fairly even tradeoff of strengths on paper. While the 970‘s Maxwell architecture wields more CUDA cores and texture units, Pascal gives the 1060 speed and efficiency advantages via its blazing 1506MHz+ core clocks and refined 16nm build process.
The 1060 also packs 50% more video memory – an important consideration now and for future longevity. Modern titles are breaching over 4GB more frequently, causing stuttering when the 970‘s buffer fills. So while both GPUs still drive 1080p, having 2 extra GB should extend the 1060‘s viability another year or two.
Now let‘s quantify real-world gaming results.
Gaming Benchmark Performance Comparison
I tested both cards in a benchmarking rig powered by a Ryzen 5 5600X CPU in 14 popular eSports and AAA titles at 1080p maximum settings. Here‘s how their average and minimum FPS scores stack up:
Benchmarks conducted November 2022 on open test bench with AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, 16GB DDR4-3200 and Windows 10 x64 using latest Game Ready Drivers. Results will vary based on full system configuration.
The GTX 1060 6GB averages 15% faster FPS across this game suite with leads widening further in most recent, VRAM-intensive titles like Cyberpunk and Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla. architectural and memory capacity advantages working in tandem. Still, the 970 puts up an impressive fight with fluid minimum FPS above 60 in all but two games tested.
So for current AAA gaming the 1060 is the clear winner, but how have ongoing driver updates impacted legacy support and features over the long run?
Long Term Support and Feature Differences
An often overlooked factor in GPU longevity is ongoing software support from the manufacturer. Outdated drivers can break compatibility and performance in new games, while refreshed releases can improve stability or FPS.
As of late 2022, Nvidia still supplies regular Game Ready Driver updates for both the GTX 900 and 1000 series. However feature differences are apparent:
- Nvidia Freestyle filters, Reflex latency improvements, and DLSS are only available on 10-series Pascal cards or newer.
- The 970 lacks any support for variable refresh technologies like G-Sync or FreeSync for smoothing out frame pacing and combating screen tearing.
- GeForce Experience optimizations profiles are still updating for 10-series cards but haven‘t added new 970 profiles in over a year.
The 1060 6GB continues seeing refreshed optimizations and has access to more features useful for enhancing gameplay quality and competitiveness. While the 970 drives modern games just fine from raw power alone, missing quality-of-life gaming technologies make the 1060 the superior long-term ownership proposition.
Pricing and Availability Situation
At launch pricing strongly favored the GTX 1060 6GB at just $299 MSRP compared to a $329 sticker on the GTX 970. However two years more age takes a toll – many 970 models now sell below original MSRP between $240 to $280 used if you can find one in stock.
By comparison the cheapest 1060 6GB remains around $299 with high demand keeping prices of this capable 1080p card steadily elevated as overall GPU supply continues constrained. So while the 1060 was an obvious value winner new, used market conditions now give the 970 an advantage IF found at the right price.
The best value today: Good condition used GTX 970 under $240 (but hard to find in stock)
The card still selling for original MSRP: GTX 1060 6GB at $299 (more available, plus newer feature set)
So if you can snag a 970 on the secondhand market it becomes a very attractive option mostly thanks to age dragging down resale value. But buying new clearly favors the still excellent 1060 6GB holding its value 5+ years on.
Conclusion: 1060 6GB Claims The Budget Crown
For gamers shopping used, a well-priced GTX 970 remains a capable 1080p performer with plenty of life left in it…albeit missing some nicer gaming features Nvidia only bundles with newer-gen hardware. But buying new, the GTX 1060 6GB retains its original value lead to come out definitively ahead. Access to superior gaming technologies like G-Sync and Nvidia Reflex give it a more future-proofed ownership experience as well.
So in summary:
- GTX 1060 6GB is 15%+ faster and has crucial 2GB more VRAM key to future longevity
- 10-series still sees active driver updates and supports more gaming feature extensibility
- New the 1060 6GB maintains original value lead; 970 cheaper used IF found in stock
- For max value buy 1060 6GB new; or snag 970 used under $240
Either card makes for a savvy pick gaming at 1080p medium/high settings for at least a couple more years. But with new pricing still under $300, more memory and features, plus maintained driver support, the GTX 1060 6GB emerges as the reigning budget GPU champion in late 2022.
