GeForce GTX 1060 6GB vs GeForce GTX 970

Speed and memory

In our performance index the GeForce GTX 1060 6GB scores 9.5 and the GeForce GTX 970 scores 9, which makes the GeForce GTX 1060 6GB about 6% faster. That is a small gap, below what most people notice without a frame counter.

The GeForce GTX 1060 6GB has 6 GB of video memory and the GeForce GTX 970 has 4 GB. That difference matters at 1440p and in new games at High textures, and it can outweigh a small speed advantage as the card ages.

In our estimates for popular games at 1080p on High, the biggest gap is in Cyberpunk 2077 (28 against 19 fps), and the smallest is in Fortnite (107 against 102 fps). Games that are light enough to run above 200 fps on both cards show little difference at all.

Power and value

The GeForce GTX 1060 6GB is rated at 120 W and the GeForce GTX 970 at 145 W. With a mid-range processor that means a power supply of about 450 W for the first and 550 W for the second. The power draw is close enough that cooling and noise will be similar.

At launch the GeForce GTX 1060 6GB cost $249 and the GeForce GTX 970 $329. Per dollar, the GeForce GTX 1060 6GB gave more performance (3.8 points per $100 against 2.7). Current prices differ, so run the same sum on what you can actually buy today.

Which one to buy

Choose the GeForce GTX 1060 6GB if you want the faster card, and it also has at least as much memory. It makes the most sense at 1440p and above, or on a monitor with a high refresh rate.

Choose the GeForce GTX 970 if the price gap matters more than the 6% speed difference. Whichever you pick, check reviews for the games you play, because two cards with similar scores can differ in individual titles.