Best Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
A closer look at the GPU market to find only the best GTX 1060 graphics cards on offer
When you are planning a brand new PC build, there’s so much choice out there for all the components you have to consider. However, your choice of graphics card is likely one of your main concerns if you are a gamer.
While it’s not the only component to consider when you’re aiming for high performance for your games, it is one of the most important ones.
When it comes to deciding on the best graphics card, it can be a difficult choice. However, if you are considering the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, you still have one more decision to make. There isn’t just one GTX 1060 card for you to buy, there are lots of different versions offered by different manufacturers, each with their own set of pros and cons.
That makes the choice a bit more difficult. However, this comprehensive guide will help you choose the best GTX 1060 graphics card for you. We will help you navigate all the different types of GTX 1060 and everything you should consider before purchasing your next graphics card.
You will need to weigh up the price of the card, whether it will be powerful enough to run your games and whether it will last you long into the future.
With all that in mind, we will kick off this article by taking a look at the cards we’ll be discussing.
Our Top Picks
Best Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 Graphics Cards
In-depth Review
Gigabyte AORUS GeForce GTX 1060 Xtreme Edition
Gigabyte AORUS GeForce GTX 1060 Xtreme Edition
To start off this list, we have gone with Gigabyte’s GTX 1060 Xtreme Edition, and that’s mostly for the high clock speed, which is the best we’ve seen in this range.
Gigabyte has created an impressive graphics card here that looks and performs great, making it an excellent choice for any PC build. This card comes VR-ready with the AORUS VR Link, which ensures any VR equipment you own will hook up to this card brilliantly.
The cooling system is Gigabyte’s powerful Windforce system, which consists of two 100mm fans, which spin in alternate directions to provide great cooling. There’s also a large copper base plate that provides direct contact between the GPU and the VRAM and also helps to transfer heat effectively to the heat sink.
In terms of design, there’s a nice RGB detail across the top and the side of the card, which can be fully customized. Gigabyte’s RGB Fusion 2.0 allows you to choose up to 16.7 million color options, which can also be synchronized with other AORUS devices.
This all comes together to make the Gigabyte GTX 1060 a solid choice of graphics card, which will run a variety of games without breaking a sweat.
ASUS Dual Series GeForce GTX 1060 OC Edition 3 GB
ASUS Dual Series GeForce GTX 1060 OC Edition 3 GB
Next on the list is the sleek, white ASUS GTX 1060 OC Edition graphics card. The design is what stands out from first glance. This will be perfect for those looking to complete an all-white build in their PC.
This is a powerful card with an 1809 MHz boost clock speed and a VR-ready HDMI port for a quick link up to your VR equipment. The card comes with ASUS’s powerful GPU Tweak II with the Xsplit Gamecaster, which works together to provide instant gameplay streaming and fantastic performance.
The cooling system comes with ASUS’s patented Wing-Blade fans, which boost airflow with 105% more air pressure so you won’t have to worry about overheating. The fans may be powerful, but they also operate at 3x quieter volume than the reference cards manage.
The ASUS card is built with ASUS’ Auto-Extreme Technology, which is a 100% automated production process that boosts efficiency, reduces power loss, and decreases noise while keeping temperatures low. This is a very impressive package of powerful components that will run your games with great performance levels.
The card comes with just 3 GB of GDDR5 VRAM. However, it packs a powerful punch and stands up well against the other cards on this list.
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G
By now, MSI graphics cards are pretty recognizable as they usually go for the red branding on the top. This card is a good example of that. It definitely stands out as the most recognizable card on the list for the bright red detailing.
The great design and style don’t stop there, though. There’s plenty of interesting lighting and customization on this card, with the side panel logo and red, LED slashes on top around the fan. You can take your pick of colors and styles here to make the card really stand out.
Underneath that design is a powerful card that operates with a high boost clock of 1809 MHz. This card also comes VR ready for you, so it’s perfect for those looking to future-proof their gaming systems and break into the world of VR.
This card uses MSI’s well-known TORX 2.0 Fan technology, which helps to generate 22% more air pressure to provide cooling when it’s needed the most. Alongside this is MSI’s Twin Frozr VI technology, which helps to eliminate fan noise by stopping them automatically in low load scenarios. That means you can concentrate on gaming without distracting fan noises when they’re simply not needed.
This card typically comes more expensive than others on the list. However, if you are an MSI lover and can’t resist the good design, you’ll get a good card for your money.
ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1060 AMP Edition
ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1060 AMP Edition
Last on the list is the ZOTAC GTX 1060 AMP Edition. This has the lowest clock speed on the list, but it still achieves a great 1771 MHz, so you won’t be missing much. This card will be able to run many games with high system requirements perfectly fine. In fact, this card also comes to VR ready, so you’ll even be able to handle VR titles too.
The ZOTAC has a simple and classy monochrome design similar to that of the ASUS model. It comes in a compact case which should be able to fit in most PC cases without worry; this is something to bear in mind if you’ve struggled to fit in other graphics cards. However, there is also a mini version of this card if you need an even smaller model.
In terms of cooling, ZOTAC has its ICESTORM technology, helping to keep things cool. This includes two wide blade fans, an aluminum fin stack, and a copper cold block. The ZOTAC also comes with a specially designed sunflower style heatsink, which provides direct GPU contact to evenly distribute heat throughout the card.
These fans are also able to start and stop depending on what processes you’re running. This helps to extend the fan life as well as keep things quiet
Final Word
That ends our list today of the top GeForce GTX 1060 graphics cards on the market today. As you can see, there are a few interesting options and great designs to choose from. We hope this article has helped you narrow down your choices and make a difficult decision on purchasing your new graphics card.
Of course, like with any list of the best, there are bound to be a couple of things we’ve missed out. If there’s something we haven’t mentioned or a card that didn’t make it on the list, feel free to let us know in the comments section below and we will look into it.
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