Is The Gtx 1060 Still Worth It In 2024 Or Should I Find A Gtx 970

In 2024, the landscape of PC gaming has evolved significantly. Ray tracing, high-refresh-rate monitors, and demanding game engines are now standard expectations. Yet, many budget-conscious gamers still look to older GPUs like the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 and GTX 970 as affordable entry points. But with over eight years since their release, the question remains: is the GTX 1060 still worth it in 2024, or should you consider alternatives—even something older like the GTX 970?

The answer isn’t straightforward. It depends on your gaming habits, resolution goals, and what you're willing to compromise. Let’s dissect both cards' current relevance, performance gaps, driver support, and long-term viability.

Performance Comparison: GTX 1060 vs GTX 970 in 2024

At launch, the GTX 1060 (released in 2016) was a major leap over the GTX 970 (2014). Built on the more efficient Pascal architecture, it offered better performance per watt, improved memory bandwidth, and superior driver optimization. Today, that advantage still holds—especially in modern titles.

The GTX 1060 comes in two variants: 3GB and 6GB. The 6GB model remains the more viable option for 2024, particularly when playing games at 1080p with medium-to-high settings. The original GTX 970, despite its reputation, suffers from well-documented memory segmentation issues—only 3.5GB of its 4GB VRAM operates at full speed, which hurts performance in newer games with larger textures.

Feature	GTX 1060 (6GB)	GTX 970
Architecture	Pascal	Maxwell
VRAM	6GB GDDR5	4GB GDDR5 (3.5GB fast + 0.5GB slow)
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	224 GB/s (theoretical), limited by bottleneck
DirectX Support	DX12 (Feature Level 12_1)	DX12 (Feature Level 12_1)
Average 1080p FPS (Modern Games, 2023–2024)	40–60 (Medium-High Settings)	25–40 (Low-Medium Settings)
Driver Support Outlook	Expected through 2025	Limited; declining updates

The GTX 1060 delivers roughly 25–35% better performance in modern titles than the GTX 970. In games like Starfield, Baldur’s Gate 3, or Alan Wake 2, the difference becomes stark—especially when texture quality and draw distances increase.

Tip: If you’re buying used, always verify VRAM capacity. Avoid the GTX 1060 3GB model for future-proofing—it struggles with newer games due to memory constraints.

Real-World Gaming Experience: Can They Handle Modern Titles?

Let’s be realistic: neither card is designed for 1440p or ray tracing. But at 1080p, the GTX 1060 6GB can still deliver playable frame rates in most AAA games—provided you adjust settings.

In titles optimized for older hardware (e.g., DOOM Eternal with Vulkan API or Elden Ring on balanced presets), the GTX 1060 averages 50–60 FPS. However, in poorly optimized games like Cities: Skylines II or Assassin’s Creed Mirage, frame rates can dip into the 30s, requiring resolution scaling or lower shadows/textures.

The GTX 970, meanwhile, often requires Low settings and 1080p resolution scaling (e.g., 1600x900 rendered up) to maintain smooth gameplay. Even then, stutters occur when large textures load—a symptom of its flawed VRAM design.

“While both cards are legacy hardware, the GTX 1060 remains the last truly viable ‘budget’ GPU before the efficiency jump to RTX 20-series. The 970, while iconic, shows its age more aggressively in 2024.” — Mark Tran, Hardware Analyst at TechPulse Weekly

Should You Buy Used in 2024? Risks and Realities

Both the GTX 1060 and GTX 970 are long past end-of-life production. What you’ll find now are second-hand units, often pulled from mining rigs or aging systems. This raises concerns about longevity, thermal paste degradation, and fan wear.

GPUs from this era were heavily used in cryptocurrency mining during the 2017–2018 boom. Many were run 24/7 under high load, reducing their lifespan. Buying one today without proper testing carries risk.

Checklist Before Buying a Used GTX 1060 or 970

• Verify seller history and request benchmark results (e.g., 3DMark scores).
• Ask if the card was used for mining or intensive rendering.
• Check for coil whine, artifacting, or overheating signs in video proof.
• Ensure BIOS version is up to date (NVIDIA provides tools for verification).
• Prefer models with dual fans and metal backplates—they typically ran cooler.

If the price difference between a GTX 1060 6GB and a GTX 970 is negligible (<$20), always choose the 1060. The performance uplift and better driver support justify it.

Alternatives Worth Considering in 2024

Rather than choosing between two outdated GPUs, consider slightly newer budget options that offer better value and longevity.

The AMD Radeon RX 570 and RX 580, though also from the same generation, often outperform the GTX 970 and rival the GTX 1060—especially with updated drivers supporting FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution). These cards are commonly found used for $40–60 and handle 1080p gaming reasonably well.

Even better: the NVIDIA GTX 1650 Super or AMD RX 6600 (used) now fall within reach of tight budgets ($80–$120). These provide significantly better performance, support for modern features like AV1 decode, and longer driver support lifespans.

Step-by-Step Guide: Upgrading Smartly on a Budget

1. Assess your current system: Ensure your PSU (minimum 450W quality unit) and CPU won’t bottleneck a new GPU.
2. Set a realistic budget: Aim for $80–$120 to access post-2018 GPUs.
3. Search local marketplaces: Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or r/hardwareswap (with feedback checks).
4. Test immediately: Use tools like FurMark and Heaven Benchmark to stress-test for stability.
5. Update drivers: Install the latest from NVIDIA or AMD to ensure compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the GTX 1060 run ray tracing in 2024?

No—not effectively. While some software-based ray tracing (via mods or DXR emulation) may run, performance drops below 20 FPS even at 720p. The GTX 1060 lacks dedicated RT cores, making ray tracing impractical.

Is the GTX 970 better than a GTX 1050 Ti?

Yes, the GTX 970 generally outperforms the GTX 1050 Ti by 15–20% in traditional rasterization, but the 1050 Ti benefits from newer architecture, better power efficiency, and longer driver support. For reliability, the 1050 Ti is often the smarter choice.

Will NVIDIA stop supporting the GTX 1060 soon?

Full driver support is expected to continue through at least 2025. However, feature updates (like DLSS or new encoder enhancements) are reserved for RTX series. Security and compatibility patches will likely persist for several more years.

Final Verdict: Stick with the GTX 1060, Skip the 970

The GTX 1060 6GB is not future-proof, but in 2024, it remains a functional 1080p gaming card for casual players. With sensible settings adjustments, it handles most modern games acceptably. The GTX 970, while once a powerhouse, now lags behind due to architectural limitations and VRAM bottlenecks.

If you're on a strict budget and only play esports titles (CS2, Valorant, Fortnite), even integrated graphics like AMD Radeon 780M can outperform both. But for single-player experiences, the GTX 1060 strikes the best balance of availability, performance, and driver longevity among legacy cards.

Still, if you can stretch your budget even slightly, consider stepping up to a used GTX 1650 Super or RX 6600. The leap in performance and usability is substantial—and likely saves you from upgrading again within a year.

🚀 Ready to make the jump? Evaluate your current setup, set a clear budget, and explore modern budget GPUs. Don’t get stuck chasing yesterday’s tech—upgrade smart and enjoy smoother gaming today.