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Neither card is an across-the-board winner. In PassMark’s September 10, 2026 comparison snapshot, the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB has a small lead in overall G3D rating, while the GTX 970 4GB is slightly ahead in the listed DirectX 11 average and leads the DirectX 12 average. The result is close and does not predict performance in every game: the better choice depends on the title, settings, the condition of the individual card, and its price.
Which card is faster overall?
PassMark’s comparison page recorded a G3D rating of 9,853 for the GTX 1060 3GB and 9,636 for the GTX 970 4GB on September 10, 2026. That is a small aggregate lead for the GTX 1060 3GB, not a decisive win or a guarantee that it will run every game faster. PassMark says its results draw on thousands of PerformanceTest benchmark results and update daily, so the figures are best treated as a dated database snapshot rather than a controlled, same-system gaming test. See PassMark’s comparison.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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ASUS GeForce GTX 1060 6GB Dual-Fan OC Edition VR Ready Dual HDMI DP 1.4 Gaming Graphics Card... | $164.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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SRhonyra GTX 1060 3GB Low Profile Graphics Card | $159.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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SRhonyra GTX 1060 6GB Graphics Card GDDR5 192-Bit | $156.90 | Buy on Amazon |
How do the results vary by graphics API?
The same PassMark snapshot reports different results across APIs. Its averages favor the GTX 970 narrowly in DirectX 11 and more clearly in DirectX 12; the GTX 1060 3GB leads in DirectX 9 and DirectX 10.
| PassMark API average | GTX 970 4GB | GTX 1060 3GB | Snapshot leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| DirectX 9 | Not stated in the cited comparison summary | Not stated in the cited comparison summary | GTX 1060 3GB |
| DirectX 10 | Not stated in the cited comparison summary | Not stated in the cited comparison summary | GTX 1060 3GB |
| DirectX 11 | 71 FPS | 70 FPS | GTX 970 4GB |
| DirectX 12 | 41 FPS | 35 FPS | GTX 970 4GB |
The DirectX figures are PassMark database averages, not results from one named game or a matched test setup. They indicate that performance can vary with the software path, but they are not enough to predict which card will be quicker in a particular game. For a decision about a specific title, look for benchmarks of that game at the resolution and settings you intend to use.
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Does 4GB of VRAM make the GTX 970 better?
PassMark lists 4,096 MB maximum memory supported for the GTX 970 and 3,072 MB for the GTX 1060 3GB. The GTX 970 therefore has more nominal memory, but capacity alone does not establish which card is faster. How much memory a game uses depends on the game, resolution, texture settings, and other workload demands; the listed capacities do not mean every workload can use all of that memory equally.
What about power and card compatibility?
PassMark lists maximum TDP as 145 W for the GTX 970 and 120 W for the GTX 1060 3GB. These figures suggest a lower listed maximum TDP for the 1060, but they do not tell you the exact power connectors or PSU requirement of every board partner’s card. Before buying or installing a used card, check the exact manufacturer and model for its power connectors, dimensions, cooler clearance, display outputs, and stated PSU requirements.
Rank #2
- 3GB Memory Size: The SRhonyra GTX 1060 SFF card is paired with 3GB GDDR5 VRAM, which is the only one least-expensive 6GB low profile video card on the market, will likely cover you for most graphics-based games and minimum VRAM requirement for tasks such as 3D modeling, animation, video editing, and graphic design.
- Low Profile Design: Merely 6.61"(length)×2.7"(width), single-slot design 0.71 inches in Thicknes, this GTX 1060 6GB Low-profile graphics cards will easily fit into your small-form-factor (SFF) system. Besides, the package includes a full height brackets so that you can install it on normal size PC.
- New Architecture: Built on the 16 nm process and based on the GP106 graphics processor, features 1280 shading units, 80 texture mapping units and 40 ROPs, the Pascal Architecture is very powerful to delivere groundbreaking performance, innovative technology, and next-generation immersive virtual reality experiences.
- PIC-e Bus Power: This graphics card only draws power rated at 75 Watts, no need extral power connector, can be powered by PCI Express Bus, easy to go, install and forget.
- Max 8K Resolution Output: This GTX 1060 6GB low profile supports DirectX 12, has dual displays Outputs including 1×HDMI 2.0 and 1×DisplayPort 1.4a which is able to delivery 8K (7680×4320) video playback.
Do not confuse the GTX 1060 3GB with the 6GB model
NVIDIA’s July 19, 2016 launch article describes the 6GB GTX 1060 configuration, including 1,280 CUDA cores and a 120 W TDP. Those specifications are not a specification table for the 3GB card, so they should not be used to assume that the two variants have identical specifications or performance. NVIDIA’s launch-era description of GTX 980-class performance was positioning for the GTX 1060 launch, not an independent comparison of the GTX 970 with the 1060 3GB. Read NVIDIA’s GTX 1060 launch article.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose between used cards
Because the benchmark evidence does not establish a universal gaming winner, compare the exact listings you can buy rather than choosing by model name alone. Use these checks:
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- Small Size, Huge Performance: Built on the 16 nm process, and based on the GP106 graphics processor, paired with 6gb GDDR5 VRAM with basic clock 2002MHz, only 8.26 x4.27 x1.57 inches, this gig can smoothly handle less intensity gaming titles in 1080P.
- Direct 12, OpenGL 4.6 Support: At 1920×1080, the GTX 1060 hit an average of 70 FPS, and go no lower than 60 FPS. Dual fans and an advanced heatsink system keep temperatures low for stable, this graphics card can handle today's most demanding games.
- Power supply for GTX 1060 6GB: Minimum 400 W or greater system power supply with one 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors. If you do not have a spare 6-pin PCIe cable connetor, please be sure the replace your PSU first as no cable included in the package.
- Easy to Install: Please make sure you have sufficient room in the PC case, a PCIe 3.0x16 slot, then install the card, connect the power, fire up your PC. Windows will detect it, automatically download and install the driver to make it fully functional.
- Max 3 Monitors Supported: As a plug-in video card, this SRhonyra GTX 1060 6GB video card max supports 8K 7680 x 4320 by DisplayPort, 144Hz high refreash rate, bring you a great gaming experience.
- Match the model: confirm that the listing is for a GTX 1060 3GB, not a 6GB model, or for a GTX 970 4GB.
- Check the board itself: verify the manufacturer’s exact model, condition, cooler, dimensions, display outputs, and required power connectors.
- Look for relevant game benchmarks: prioritize tests of the games you play at your resolution and intended settings; the PassMark averages are not a substitute for those results.
- Compare the complete purchase: account for condition and return policy alongside price. No reliable current market-wide price comparison is established here.
For context, NVIDIA’s 2016 launch article presented the GTX 1060 family as a mid-range Pascal card and made launch-era performance and efficiency claims. Those claims are historical positioning, not a current used-card value guide or proof that the 3GB model beats the GTX 970 in games. Read NVIDIA’s launch announcement.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
