Nvidia GTX 1060 Review - RX 480 Killer?

The GTX 1060 marks Nvidia’s attempt to replace the aging GTX 970 with a newer midrange option built on the Pascal architecture. The video kicks off by framing the 1060 as a mass market workhorse that could redefine value in the 300 price bracket, noting how previous generations saw substantial price jumps at launch and how the 1060’s target price compares to its peers. The presenter details the technical specs, including 1,280 CUDA cores, a boost clock around 1.78 GHz, 6 GB of GDDR5 memory, a memory bandwidth of about 8 Gbps, and a modest 120 watt TDP. The new cooler design and lack of backplate reflect Nvidia’s emphasis on efficiency and cost, while the absence of an SLI bridge hints at Nvidia’s push toward single-GPU configurations for this segment. Performance claims are set up through direct comparisons with the RX 480, highlighting that Pascal compounds performance advantages in many titles at 1080p while acknowledging AMD’s strengths at certain games and in specific scenarios. The discussion pivots to price-per-performance, where the RX 480 often edges out the 1060 on a dollars-per-frame basis, prompting viewers to weigh whether the higher cost of the 1060 is justified by its raw performance gains. The video closes with practical recommendations, noting that both cards are strong picks for 1080p gaming, and emphasizes that the right choice depends on the user’s resolution targets and budget, while also teasing related accessories and upcoming reviews. Overall, the reviewer concludes that it’s a good time for PC gamers, with both Nvidia and AMD delivering compelling options in the midrange segment and hints at evaluating future Pascal SKUs against AMD’s lineup.

Topics · technology · hardware review · graphics cards · pc gaming