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MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£280
  • Avg. price in US: ~$290
  • VRAM: 6 GB
  • Memory bus width: 192 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 120 W

MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X review. Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among graphics cards and if it is worth buying.

5.2

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the graphics card's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best graphics cards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

4.7

Technical Score

10.0%

9.4

User score

Good
4.7

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

3.3

Performance

24.0%

3.5

Memory

12.0%

8.5

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.1

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.9

Design

4.0%

8.1

Connectivity & Media

Poor
9.4

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

9.2

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.7
(874)
amazon
4.5
(612)
amazon
4.4
(207)
amazon
4.2
(83)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.7
(930)
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(201)
Amazon_logo.png
4.3
(89)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Exceptional
  • 3.5
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    1.4

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    2.2

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.5
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    2.2

    VRAM

    20.0%

    1.4

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.9
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    1.4

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    2.2

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.9
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    1.4

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    2.2

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 3.3
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    1.4

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    2.2

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • msi-geforce-gtx-1060-gaming-x
msi-geforce-gtx-1060-gaming-x

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X is a high-performance, mid-range graphics card based on the 16nm Pascal architecture, featuring 1,280 CUDA cores and 6GB of GDDR5 memory on a 192-bit bus. It stands out with a factory overclock reaching up to 1,809 MHz boost in OC Mode and utilizes the advanced Twin Frozr VI thermal design with dual Torx 2.0 fans that stay silent under 60°C. Main advantages include exceptional cooling efficiency, customizable RGB lighting, a rigid metal backplate, and strong 1080p gaming performance that rivals the GTX 980. However, common drawbacks include its notably large physical footprint compared to reference models, a lack of SLI support for multi-GPU setups, and a higher price point relative to other partner 1060 cards.

Technical Specifications of MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

3.3

Performance

24.0%

3.5

Memory

12.0%

8.5

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.1

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.9

Design

4.0%

8.1

Connectivity & Media

4.7
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a technical score of 4.71 points, which is lower than that of 81% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

9.2

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.7
(874)
amazon
4.5
(612)
amazon
4.4
(207)
amazon
4.2
(83)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.7
(930)
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(201)
Amazon_logo.png
4.3
(89)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

9.4
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a user score of 9.41 points, which is higher than that of 89.8% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
10
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 77.9% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

5.2

Overall score

40.0%

9.0

Price

6.3
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.3 points, which is lower than 71.7% of products in this category.
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Time Spy, a synthetic DirectX 12 test often used as a quick gaming-performance reference.
When it matters: When you need a fast rough performance sort before digging into game-specific reviews and frame-rate data.

Importance: LOW

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3DMark Port Royal score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Port Royal, a synthetic test focused on ray tracing performance.
When it matters: When ray tracing matters in the games you actually play and you want one quick way to separate stronger and weaker RT cards.

Importance: LOW

?
PassMark (G3D) result
What it is: Overall GPU performance score in PassMark G3D benchmark
When it matters: When you need one broad score to sort cards into rough performance tiers.

Importance: LOW

?
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
What it is: PassMark score for DirectCompute performance tests
When it matters: When compute workloads matter alongside gaming performance.

Importance: LOW

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Floating-point performance
What it is: Theoretical floating-point compute performance of the GPU.
When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

Importance: LOW

4.567 TFLOPS
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X delivers 4.567 TFLOPS floating-point performance, which is lower than that of 90.8% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.1% of graphics cards.
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VRAM
What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

Importance: HIGH

6 GB
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has 6 GB of VRAM, which is less than 82.7% of graphics cards and equal to 5.1% of graphics cards.
Memory type
What it is: Type of graphics memory used (GDDR6, HBM2e, etc.)
When it matters: When memory technology is part of the buying decision because it affects bandwidth class, power use, and product positioning.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
GDDR version
What it is: Generation of GDDR memory used by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you want to separate older memory generations from newer ones before comparing bandwidth, power behavior, and market tier.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X uses GDDR5 memory, which is older than on 85% of graphics cards and equal to 13.2% of graphics cards.
Memory bus width
What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

Importance: HIGH

192 bit
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X uses a 192 bit memory bus, which is narrower than that of 50.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 18.8% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

Importance: HIGH

192.2 GB/s
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X reaches 192.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 87% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.9% of graphics cards.
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PCI Express (PCIe) version
What it is: Version of PCI Express interface supported
When it matters: When you are pairing the card with an older motherboard and want to avoid leaving bandwidth or future compatibility on the table.

Importance: LOW

3.0
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X supports PCIe 3.0, which is older than on 77.6% of graphics cards and equal to 20.3% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
What it is: Number of PCI Express lanes used for communication
When it matters: When limited lane width could bottleneck the card in some systems.

Importance: LOW

x16
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X uses x16 PCIe lanes, which is more than 31.5% of graphics cards and equal to 68.6% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
What it is: Highest supported DirectX API version
When it matters: When you play newer Windows games that depend on the latest graphics features.

Importance: LOW

12.1
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X supports DirectX 12.1, which is older than on 87.7% of graphics cards and equal to 4.9% of graphics cards.
Vulkan version
What it is: Highest supported Vulkan API version
When it matters: When modern games, emulators, or creative apps lean on Vulkan support.

Importance: LOW

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OpenGL version
What it is: Highest supported OpenGL API version
When it matters: When older games or pro apps still depend on OpenGL compatibility.

Importance: LOW

4.6
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 4.8% of graphics cards and equal to 95.2% of graphics cards.
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Max displays supported
What it is: Total number of external displays supported simultaneously
When it matters: When you run a multi-monitor desk for sim racing, trading, or editing.

Importance: LOW

4
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X supports up to 4 displays, which is more than 7.8% of graphics cards and equal to 89.2% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
What it is: Maximum supported digital display resolution
When it matters: When you plan to drive 4K or 8K panels at their native resolution.

Importance: LOW

?
DisplayPort outputs
What it is: Number of DisplayPort video outputs
When it matters: When your setup needs several high-refresh monitors without adapters.

Importance: LOW

3
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X offers 3 DisplayPort outputs, which is more than 20.9% of graphics cards and equal to 77.3% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
What it is: Version of DisplayPort standard supported
When it matters: When your monitor setup depends on newer DisplayPort features for higher refresh rates, higher resolution, or better cable flexibility.

Importance: LOW

1.4
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X supports DisplayPort 1.4, which is older than on 77.3% of graphics cards and equal to 16.2% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
What it is: Supported data link rates for DisplayPort connections
When it matters: When you are pushing high resolution and refresh rate over DisplayPort.

Importance: LOW

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Thermal Design Power (TDP)
What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

Importance: MEDIUM

120 W
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a TDP of 120 W, which is lower than that of 83.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.6% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
What it is: Peak power draw of the graphics card under maximum load.
When it matters: When transient-heavy gaming loads could stress your power supply.

Importance: LOW

120 W
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X draws 120 W under peak load, which is lower than 84.4% of graphics cards and equal to 1.5% of graphics cards.
Recommended PSU wattage
What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

Importance: LOW

400 W
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X recommends a 400 W PSU, which is lower than that of 91.7% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.5% of graphics cards.
Board power limit
What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

Importance: LOW

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PCIe power spec
What it is: PCIe power delivery specification followed
When it matters: When you are checking whether the slot and external cables match the card's intended power-delivery standard.

Importance: LOW

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Size
What it is: Physical size of the GPU card
When it matters: When you need the card to fit a compact case without blocking nearby hardware.

Importance: LOW

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Length
What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

Importance: LOW

277 mm
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X is 277 mm long, which is shorter than 55.3% of graphics cards and equal in length to 0.3% of graphics cards.
Height
What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

Importance: LOW

140 mm
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X is 140 mm tall, which is taller than 76.4% of graphics cards and equal in height to 5.6% of graphics cards.
Slot width
What it is: Number of PCIe slots occupied by the card
When it matters: When you need room for another PCIe card or better airflow under the GPU.

Importance: LOW

2 slot/s
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X occupies 2 slot/s, which is slimmer than 49.2% of graphics cards and equal in width to 47.3% of graphics cards.
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the graphics card
When it matters: When sag, bracket support, or shipping stress matters in your build.

Importance: LOW

1,017 g
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X weighs 1017 g, which is heavier than 52.6% of graphics cards and equal in weight to 0.2% of graphics cards.
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MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X vs the average graphics card

  • 48x larger L2 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (1,536 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
    What it is: Total size of the GPU’s L2 cache memory
    When it matters: When cache size can help the GPU feed data faster in demanding scenes.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (1,536 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.1536 MB vs 32 MB
  • 38.5% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (400 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
    What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
    When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (400 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.400 W vs 650 W
  • 44.2% lower TDP
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (120 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
    When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (120 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.120 W vs 215 W
  • 14.4% faster VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (2,002 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
    What it is: Speed at which the GPU memory operates
    When it matters: When you want more context on how quickly the card's VRAM can move data.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (2,002 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.2002 MHz vs 1750 MHz
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
    What it is: Number of DVI display outputs available
    When it matters: When you still use an older monitor that depends on DVI.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.1 vs 0
  • 17.7% higher user score
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a higher user score than the average graphics card (9.41 vs 8.000).
    What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.
    When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a higher user score than the average graphics card (9.41 vs 8.000).9.41 vs 8
  • 7 dB quieter under load
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower load noise level than the average graphics card (28 dB vs 35 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35 dB.
    What it is: Noise level produced by the graphics card while under load.
    When it matters: When the PC sits near you and fan noise matters during play.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower load noise level than the average graphics card (28 dB vs 35 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35 dB.28 dB vs 35 dB
  • 4.34x more popular
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X is more popular than the average graphics card (10.00 vs 2.303).
    What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
    When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X is more popular than the average graphics card (10.00 vs 2.303).10 vs 2.3
  • 48x larger L2 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (1,536 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • 14.4% faster VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (2,002 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • 44.2% lower TDP
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (120 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 38.5% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (400 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
  • 7 dB quieter under load
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower load noise level than the average graphics card (28 dB vs 35 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35 dB.

Total
Overall
Memory
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
  • 30 fewer compute units
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (10 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 27.6% lower boost clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,810 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
  • 104 fewer TMUs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (80 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 62.1% lower texture rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (142.7 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 54.4% lower pixel rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (75.3 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 18.3% lower base clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,569 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 16 fewer ROPs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (48 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 96.1% lower INT8 performance
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower INT8 performance than the average graphics card (18.3 TOPS vs 466 TOPS). The average graphics card has INT8 performance of 466 TOPS.
  • 80.2% lower compute throughput
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower compute throughput than the average graphics card (4.6 TFLOPS vs 23.105 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has compute throughput of 23.105 TFLOPS.
  • 3,072 fewer FP32 units
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (1,280 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
  • 6 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (6 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 64 bit narrower memory bus
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a narrower memory bus than the average graphics card (192 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
  • 57.1% lower memory bandwidth
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (192.2 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • 57.9% slower memory speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (8,008 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 62.5% smaller L1 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (48 vs 128). The average graphics card has 128 L1 cache.
  • 3.2x larger process node
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a higher process node than the average graphics card (16 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
  • Older PCIe version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • 7 older
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,016 vs 2,023).
  • No mesh shaders
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • Worse SAM support
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X offers worse SAM support than the average graphics card (no vs yes).
  • Older DirectX version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X supports an older DirectX version than the average graphics card (12.1 vs 12 Ultimate).
  • No sampler feedback
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • 79.9% fewer transistors
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (4,400 million vs 21,900 million). The average graphics card has 21,900 million transistors.
  • No AV1 encoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.4 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDMI version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2.0b vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • Older NVDEC generation
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower NVDEC generation than the average graphics card (3 vs 6). The average graphics card offers NVDEC generation 6.
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
  • 12 °C higher idle temperature
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a higher idle temperature than the average graphics card (50 °C vs 38 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 38 °C.
  • 13 mm higher card profile
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X is taller than the average graphics card (140 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
  • 30 fewer compute units
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (10 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    What it is: Total number of shader multiprocessors or compute units
    When it matters: When you want a better sense of the GPU's overall parallel hardware resources before relying on game benchmarks alone.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (10 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.10 vs 40
  • 27.6% lower boost clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,810 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
    What it is: Maximum boost frequency the GPU can reach under load
    When it matters: When you want a rough idea of peak advertised frequency, while knowing real sustained clocks still depend on cooling and power limits.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,810 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.1810 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 3.2x larger process node
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a higher process node than the average graphics card (16 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
    What it is: Size of the manufacturing process in nanometers
    When it matters: When process node differences may affect power, heat, and overall efficiency.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a higher process node than the average graphics card (16 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.16 nm vs 5 nm
  • 6 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (6 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
    When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (6 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.6 GB vs 12 GB
  • 64 bit narrower memory bus
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a narrower memory bus than the average graphics card (192 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
    What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
    When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a narrower memory bus than the average graphics card (192 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.192 bit vs 256 bit
  • 104 fewer TMUs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (80 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
    What it is: Total count of texture mapping units on the GPU
    When it matters: When texture-heavy gaming performance matters and you want extra hardware context behind texture-rate claims.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (80 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.80 vs 184
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
    What it is: Total number of cooling fans
    When it matters: When you compare cooler designs and want one more clue about thermal potential.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).2 vs 3
  • 62.1% lower texture rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (142.7 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
    What it is: Number of textured pixels the GPU can process per second
    When it matters: When fast texture handling matters in high-refresh gaming workloads.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (142.7 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.142.7 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s
Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design

Graphic comparison of MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X and

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Third-party reviews

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4.7
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amazon
4.4
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4.2
83 Reviews
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4.7
930 Reviews
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4.6
201 Reviews
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4.3
89 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X?

  • Excellent cooling performance with the Twin Frozr VI thermal design, often staying below 65°C under load.
  • Extremely quiet operation; the card is virtually inaudible in most scenarios and includes a semi-passive mode where fans stop at idle.
  • High build quality featuring a solid metal backplate and premium 'Military Class 4' components.
  • Strong out-of-the-box performance with a factory overclock and significant additional headroom for manual overclocking.
  • Visually appealing design with customizable RGB lighting and a striking red-and-black aesthetic.

What customers dislike about MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X?

  • Higher price point compared to other partner GTX 1060 models and competitive AMD alternatives like the RX 480.
  • Lacks SLI support, preventing users from adding a second card for multi-GPU configurations later.
  • Large physical dimensions (277mm length) may make it a tight fit or incompatible with some smaller computer cases.
  • No native support for older VGA monitors without a separate active adapter.

Expert reviews

T
tech-critter.com
09/01/2017
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G Review | Tech Critter

The MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G is a highly efficient, custom-designed graphics card featuring MSI's TwinFrozr VI cooling system, TORX 2.0 dual ball bearing fans, and a solid metal backplate built to prevent PCB sagging. Operating on a low 120W TDP that requires only a 400W power supply, the card delivers impressive performance closely rivalling the previous-generation Maxwell...Read more

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tweaktown.com
23/08/2016
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G Graphics Card Review | TweakTown

The MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G is an exceptional mid-range graphics card that dominates 1080p and 1440p gaming by easily maintaining a smooth 60FPS+ average in most modern titles. Built with MSI's premium Twin Frozr VI cooling technology, the card achieves incredible thermal efficiency—averaging a cool 47°C under heavy loads while remaining completely silent at a quiet 1200...Read more

O
overclockersclub.com
21/07/2016
MSI GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G Review | Overclockers Club

The MSI GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G is a premium, factory-overclocked card featuring a robust custom PCB, Military Class IV components, and the effective Twin Frozr VI cooler, which offers zero-RPM idle mode for silent operation. It delivers superior performance over the Founders Edition, capable of handling 1080p and some 1440p gaming, with additional performance profiles and strong...Read more

B
bit-tech.net
29/07/2016
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G Review | bit-tech.net

The MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G is a premium, factory-overclocked graphics card priced at £299.99 ($299.99) that delivers solid performance increases over the reference model. Tested in its "OC Mode," the card features a 1,594MHz base clock, an 1,809MHz boost clock, and a minor memory frequency bump to 8.1Gbps. It is built with high-quality Military Class 4 components on a...Read more

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tomshardware.com
21/03/2017
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G Review Would you like me to find benchmarks comparing this specific MSI model against other brands like Gigabyte or A...

for the MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G: Review Summary The MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G features an oversized twin-fan cooler borrowed from its higher-end GTX 1070 and 1080 siblings, making it exceptionally quiet and highly efficient at dissipating heat. The massive 35.4-ounce card features a robust structural frame, an 8-pin power connector, a single-piece backplate, and...Read more

I
ign.com
22/12/2016
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G Review

The IGN Review of the MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G highlights it as a serious mid-range graphics card that delivers flagship-level performance from the previous generation, matching the older $549 GTX 980. Built on the 16nm Pascal architecture (GP106 silicon), the card is specifically designed to be an ultimate 1080p gaming solution with settings maxed out, while also serving as...Read more

L
laptopmedia.com
17/02/2017
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 GAMING X 6G review – solid design, overclocking capabilities and silent operation

The MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G, highlighted in the LaptopMedia review, is praised for exceptional 1080p performance, high-quality components, and a silent Twin Frozr VI cooling system. It boasts impressive overclocking capability, pushing the core over 2,100 MHz, and features an aesthetically pleasing design with a metal backplate and RGB lighting. Conversely, the card lacks...Read more

E
eteknix.com
19/07/2016
MSI GTX 1060 Gaming X Graphics Card Review

MSI GTX 1060 Gaming X Review Summary The MSI GTX 1060 Gaming X is a mainstream graphics card leveraging NVIDIA's 16nm FinFET Pascal architecture, specifically designed to offer high-efficiency performance at a more accessible price point compared to elite GPUs like the GTX 1070 and 1080. Engineered to replicate the performance of the older flagship GTX 980, this 6GB GDDR5 card...Read more

O
overclockers.com
19/07/2016
MSI GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G Video Card Review

The MSI GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G is a highly modified, well-built custom card utilizing a 5 phase power design and a single 8-pin connector for improved headroom over the reference 6-pin design. Featuring 1,280 CUDA cores, it runs with high factory overclocked boost clocks, reaching up to 1,810 MHz in OC Mode. Key advantages include the efficient, silent Twin Frozr VI cooling system...Read more

P
pcmag.com
22/07/2016
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G Review(vortez.net) | 25 July 2016 | MSI GTX 1060 GAMING X Review

The MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G is a high-performance midrange card featuring excellent build quality, a robust Twin Frozr VI cooler, and strong out-of-the-box overclocking capabilities that deliver superior 1080p gaming performance. However, it comes with a higher price tag than competing models and its large, wide physical design may not fit in compact, small-form-factor...Read more

H
hexus.net
20/07/2016
Review: MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X | HEXUS.net

The MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X is a premium, custom-cooled graphics card that repurposes the high-end Twin Frozr VI dual-fan cooler and robust metal backplate from its more powerful GTX 1070 and 1080 siblings. Built on a large, custom six-phase PCB, this card delivers a factory overclock out of the box, pushing core frequencies to 1,569MHz and boost speeds to 1,785MHz. Users can...Read more

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techpowerup.com
19/07/2016
MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6 GBGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. Review | TechPowerUp

The TechPowerUp review of the MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6 GB highlights a highly capable card with a custom PCB, 8-pin power input, and a factory overclock to 1569 MHz. Key pros include the exceptional Twin Frozr VI cooler, which keeps the card quiet (28 dBA) and cool (67°C) with an idle fan-stop feature, alongside high power efficiency and strong overclocking potential. YouTube...Read more

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toolsandtoys.net
09/08/2016
A Review of the MSI GTX 1060 Gaming X Graphics Card | Tools & Toys TechPowerUp

The MSI GTX 1060 Gaming X is a highly capable mid-market graphics card designed to deliver smooth 1080p gaming performance at 60 frames per second at a reasonable $300 price point. Real-world testing proves its strength, with demanding titles like The Witcher 3 averaging 68 FPS on high settings, while optimized games like Overwatch and Doom easily push well past the 60 FPS mark....Read more

G
gamestar.de
04/07/2017
MSI Geforce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G - Die Mittelklasse perfektioniert? - GameStar

The MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G is a highly popular mid-range graphics card featuring the GP106 chip, factory-overclocked to outpace Nvidia's Founders Edition by over 60 MHz with a base clock of 1,569 MHz and a 1,784 MHz boost. It is equipped with 6.0 GB of GDDR5 video memory running at an effective speed of 8.1 GHz. Built with premium hardware additions, the card features a...Read more

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C
computerbase.de
26/08/2016
RX 480 vs. GTX 1060 im Test: Sapphire Nitro+ OC mit Polaris gegen MSI Gaming X mit Pascal

This 2016 review pit two popular custom graphics cards against each other: the Sapphire Radeon RX 480 Nitro+ OC (8 GB) priced at €319, and the MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6G (6 GB) priced at €339. Both variants were designed to outperform their respective reference models in both raw clock speeds and cooling efficiency, though they did so through very different physical designs....Read more

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hwready.it
01/09/2016
MSI GTX 1060 Gaming XGo to product viewer dialog for this item.: Recensione - Hardware Ready

The MSI GTX 1060 Gaming X 6GB, reviewed on Hardware Ready, is identified as a top-tier Pascal-based card optimized for 1080p gaming, utilizing a 5 power phase and an 8-pin connector to support higher factory overclocks. Key advantages include the Twin Frozr VI cooler, which offers near-silent operation under 60°C via Zero Frozr technology, alongside a robust build quality featuring...Read more

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T
tech.everyeye.it
19/07/2016
Recensione MSI GTX 1060 GAMING X 6G - Everyeye Tech

The Everyeye Tech review highlights the MSI GTX 1060 GAMING X 6G as an exceptional mid-range graphics card based on NVIDIA’s 16nm Pascal architecture, effectively serving as the true successor to the popular GTX 970. Priced at €359, this specific custom variant features a factory-overclocked core clock of 1594 MHz (boosting to 1810 MHz) and 6GB of GDDR5 VRAM. In benchmarking tests...Read more

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