Asus gtx 1060 dual 3gb reviews. Review of the ASUS DUAL-GTX1060-O3G video card. ⇡ PCB design and features
The GeForce GTX 1060 is one of the most successful products from the market point of view: it easily copes with Full HD resolution in games, almost does not get warm, and costs adequate money. Of course, the general demand of cryptocurrency traders for video cards has greatly affected the prices of almost the entire thousandth line, but even now it compares favorably with the price of more powerful boards. As a result, every self-respecting manufacturer has already released at least two or three versions of the sixtieth, differing in frequencies, video memory and cooler. Today we are taking a look at the GTX 1060 DUAL OC from ASUS.
GTX 1060 DUAL OC Specifications
- GPU: GP106
- Stream Processors: 1280
- Texture units: 80
- ROPs: 48
- Frequency GPU: 1506
- The amount of video memory: 6144 MB
- Video memory frequency: 2002 MHz
- Video outputs: DVI, 2x HDMI, 2x DisplayPort
- Occupies slots in system unit: 2
- Power connectors: 1x 6 pin
- Dimensions: 242 x 130 x 43 mm
- Price: 29,000 rubles
Appearance, design features
The video card is delivered in a double cardboard box, the equipment is minimal - instructions and a CD with drivers.
On first inspection, the 1060 catches the eye with a white plastic fan shroud. Color choice not typical for ASUS, the vast majority of components are made in dark colors.
A logical move would be to install a white back panel - it will protect you from mechanical damage, and the video card looks harmonious. But in this case, they decided to do without the backplate.
The thickness of the video card together with installed system cooling - 43 mm, or a little more than two slots in the system unit.
Two HDMI, two DisplayPort and one DVI-D are brought out to the mounting bar.
The word "DUAL" in the name is not accidental - the cooling system is equipped with a pair of fans. The impeller diameter is 87 mm, the fans are attached to the casing of the cooling system.
Under the casing there is a type-setting radiator made of aluminum plates mounted on two heat pipes with a diameter of 8 mm. The thickness of the plates is 0.4 mm, the distance between them is 1.1 mm. The fins and heat pipes are fixed to an aluminum base.
To improve heat transfer, the so-called direct contact technology is used - the heat pipes are in direct contact with the GPU crystal. As can be seen from the imprint of the thermal paste, the area of the heat pipes was not enough for the entire crystal.
Due to the low heat dissipation of the GPU, this moment did not affect the operation of the video card. Some manufacturers generally put all-aluminum heatsinks on the GTX 1060 and achieve acceptable operating temperatures.
Design printed circuit board ASUS has its own, in this case - no bells and whistles, everything is done simply and reliably.
The video processor power supply system has been moved to the mounting plate and is controlled by the uP9501 controller.
A large aluminum radiator is installed on the power mosfets.
A little to the right of the center of the board is a GP106 graphics processor, around which there are six SKhynix video memory chips with a total volume of 6 gigabytes.
It is noteworthy that the board has room for two more video memory chips
It is unlikely that the manufacturer intended to install more than 6 gigabytes on this board - the price will rise significantly, but the performance will not be affected in any way. Most likely, this is a reserve for the use of less voluminous memory chips.
The operating frequencies are 1506-1709 MHz for the graphics processor and 2002 (8008) MHz for the video memory. The ending "OC" in the name showed itself under load - the maximum GPU frequency was 1911 MHz, memory - 2004 (8012) MHz.
The nominal 110-watt TDP was exceeded by only 7%, the six-pin power plug made it possible to pump up to 150 watts into the video card without any problems. It is a pity that we did not reach the coveted 2 GHz - exceeding the reference frequencies by a quarter would be a nice present.
Test results
For greater clarity, the graphics added the results of a GTX 1060 with three gigabytes of video memory and a GTX 1070 with reference frequencies. Against their background, ASUS GTX 1060 DUAL looks like a solid mid-range - the three-gigabyte version is confidently ahead by several percent, but it is far from 1070, especially when maximum settings graphics. In almost all modes, the average FPS of the DUAL OC is good - from 50 to 80, and in DiRT4 it even approaches a hundred with high picture details. There are also overwhelming modes - the resolution is 2560 x 1440 in Total War: Warhammer, only 35 frames per second. Slightly below 50 in PUBG and Ghost Recon Wildlands, but the minimum did not fall below 40 and 34, respectively, you can play.
I was very pleased with the quiet operation of the cooling system. In 2D, both fans are stopped - the GPU has enough passive heatsink, the GPU temperature does not exceed 41 degrees. In 3D, with automatic speed control, the maximum indicator is 70 Celsius on the GPU, the impellers spin up to 1475 rpm.
If you take control of the fans into your own hands, then the most comfortable speed is 60% of the maximum - 2098 rpm and 58 degrees on the GPU under load. The noise is moderate, behind the wall of the case it will be barely discernible from one and a half meters.
At maximum revs - 3489 per minute - aerodynamic noise is noticeably pressing on the ears, and in degrees it was possible to win nothing, 54 Celsius under load. This mode of operation is for desperate enthusiasts who are ready to do anything for the comfort (and long life) of the equipment.
Let's summarize
ASUS GeForce GTX 1060 DUAL OC is a nice product: fast, quiet and inexpensive compared to counterparts from other manufacturers. The thoughtful design of the printed circuit board and a good cooling system give hopes of conquering the coveted 2000 megahertz, so that enthusiasts will have something to do at their leisure.
pros
- Quiet operation
- Good performance
- Efficient cooling system
- Not found
After announcing the approximate release date for new graphics accelerators from Nvidia, it's time for users to get ready for the fact that the price tags for the current generation of video cards will gradually begin to decline.
And the reason for this is simple - vendors and distributors need not only to get rid of surplus, but also to prepare warehouses for fresh receipts. And this, in turn, means that an interested gamer will be able to calmly migrate to available models the level of GeForce GTX 1050 (Ti) / GTX 1060 / GTX 1070, which, judging by gaming tests, will be relevant for a long time.
We decided not to miss the moment and, thanks to our partner - the company Regard, continue the series of materials dedicated to the current solutions of the Pascal generation.
Next in line is a video card, which may be well known to some of our readers due to its appearance and availability. This is the ASUS Dual GeForce GTX 1060 6G model, which until recently eluded laboratory tests. At the first acquaintance, we note one of the lowest price tags in the ASUS lineup and an attractive design. But how good is it?
ASUS Dual GeForce GTX 1060 6G OC review
Full name: ASUS Dual GeForce GTX 1060 6G OC, manufacturer code: Dual-GTX1060-O6G.
Graphics card design and features
The ASUS graphics card comes in a large black box featuring a white tiger, reminiscent of the 2015 South Korean movie.
The manufacturer considered it his duty to inform about the factory overclocking, the presence of 6 GB of video memory (do not forget about the versions with 3 GB), support for proprietary software and the Dual cooling system.
The packaging is quite informative and shows a schematic representation of the interface panel and a table with technical characteristics.
In addition, the main advantages are presented in a tiled form: VR support, appearance in a snow-white design, the use of high-quality element base Super Allow Power II and GPU Tweak II compatibility.
Inside the box, the video card is protected from damage by an antistatic bag with an abundance of soft material. The package includes a user manual and a CD with drivers.
ASUS Dual GeForce GTX 1060 6G OC amazes not only with its performance, but also with an excellent combination of white and black colors, harmoniously shimmering against the background of the glossy coating of the CO casing.
The model does not look like a gray mouse, including due to the original cooling system. Its casing has received many geometric kinks and slots, and the top insert neatly masks the protruding heat pipes hidden in the depth of the case.
Two 90mm black fans with wide blade shapes accentuate the look.
The opposite side exposes the PCB and access to the elements.
Additional power for ASUS Dual GeForce GTX 1060 6G OC is implemented using a single six-pin connector on the edge of the PCB, which wraps around the CO casing. Traditionally for the manufacturing company, it received white and red LEDs signaling the connection.
Two HDMI ports at once are the optimal solution for using virtual reality devices. They include two more DisplayPort and one DVI-D in the general group.
The warranty seal interferes with completely disassembling the ASUS Dual GeForce GTX 1060 6G OC, but you can partially get to the internal component by dismantling the casing.
Everflow T129215SU models are used as fans. The rotation speed is 0 - 3550 rpm, they are very quiet up to 1300 rpm, quiet - up to 1600 rpm.
The body of the radiator has 52 aluminum fins, which are pierced by two heat pipes with a diameter of 8 mm each.
The cooler is not very thick, the technology of direct contact with the GPU is used.
A tiny finned radiator is responsible for cooling the power section. This solution will be saved from overheating by a fan located directly above the VRM area.
The uP9501P PWM controller is responsible for voltage control.
Six SKhynix H5GQ8H24MJR-R4C video memory chips with a total volume of 6 GB are soldered on the printed circuit board.
In my opinion, the ASUS Dual GeForce GTX 1060 6G OC fits stunningly into the white ecosystem of the photo shoot booth.
ASUS DUAL-GTX1060-O3G Test method Test results One page
The GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card has received two incarnations. We talked about the 6 GB older version in detail in a separate article... The younger version with 3 GB differs not only in the reduced amount of video memory, but also in a smaller number of computing units. Previously, both video cards were featured in tests for individual games. Now we decided to put them together in a big comparison to find out how the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB differs from the GeForce GTX 1060 6GB. The younger modification is approximately in the same price range with the Radeon RX 470, but in this article we focused on the comparison with older video cards. Therefore, from AMD's side, the Radeon RX 480 8GB will take part in testing.
Consider general features GeForce GTX 1060 3GB and features specific model this series represented by ASUS DUAL-GTX1060-O3G. Let's estimate the temperature and noise characteristics, check the overclocking potential.
At the heart of all the variations of the GeForce GTX 1060 is the GP106 GPU of the Pascal architecture, which is made using a 16nm process technology. This chip has 1280 CUDA cores, 80 TMUs and 48 ROPs. Compared with the previous generation, we get an intermediate configuration of computing units between GeForce GTX 970 and GeForce GTX 960... But thanks to a massive increase in frequencies and a new architecture, the GeForce GTX 1060 6GB is faster than the GeForce GTX 970.
The video card GeForce GTX 1060 3GB in its capabilities should be closer to the GeForce GTX 970. The younger version was left with 1152 active CUDA cores with 72 texture units. The frequencies remained unchanged. The biggest simplification is reducing the memory to 3 GB. And this is also such a card closer to the GeForce GTX 970. Due to the peculiarities of the memory subsystem, the GeForce GTX 970 has an effective volume of 3.5 GB, and the last memory segment works at lower bandwidth and is not always used effectively by applications.
Compare specifications two GeForce versions GTX 1060 with GeForce GTX 970 can be found in the table below.
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GeForce GTX 1060 6GB |
GeForce GTX 1060 3GB |
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Architecture |
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GPU codename |
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Number of transistors, mln. |
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Process technology, nm |
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Core area, sq. mm |
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Number of texture units |
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Number of ROPs |
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Core frequency, MHz |
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Memory bus, bit |
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Memory type |
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Memory size, MB |
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Interface |
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TDP level, W |
It's no secret that many modern games, even for Full HD, require up to 4 GB of video memory. Therefore, the question of the real difference between GeForce GTX 1060 3GB and GeForce GTX 1060 6GB is very acute. We tried to answer it in this testing by comparing different variants GeForce GTX 1060 with each other and with Radeon RX 480 in 16 test applications at a resolution of 1920x1080. But first, let's take a look at a representative of the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB series.
ASUSDUAL-GTX1060-O3G
ASUS graphics card comes in a small box. Does not come with any additional adapters. But the buyer will receive a code with bonuses for playing World of Warships for 15 days of premium mode.
Ruler graphic ASUS cards DUAL stands out for its special style using white. Usually, dark colors dominate in the design of video art, so the snow-white case of this model looks unusual. It will look organic with motherboards ASUS X99-A II or in combination with other boards that use white heat sinks or light PCB.
ASUS DUAL offers and good system cooling. A large cooler covers the entire board; two fans are used. Additional power is connected to one 8-pin connector in the corner of the board.
The board itself is in the usual black color. This is not a shortened version, as is the case with cheap versions of the GeForce GTX 1060. It can be seen that they did not save on production.
There are five connectors for displaying images: two HDMI, two DisplayPort and one DVI.
After dismantling the cooler, it becomes clear that the heatsink is not as big as it seems when assembled. But the design uses two thick heat pipes with direct contact - their surface is in direct contact with the surface of the graphics chip.
The radiator is assembled from a series of small thin plates fixed in a massive base. Heat pipes pierce the edges of the plate. A plastic case is screwed on top with a pair of 90 mm fans.
A separate radiator is provided for the elements of the supply circuit. Considering the dimensions of the fans, we can talk about excellent airflow both for this additional heatsink and for all electronic components on the board.
The power subsystem of the graphics chip has four phases. High-quality components are used, which can be seen in no more expensive ASUS video cards.
Full chip marking GP106-300-A1. Three gigabytes of memory are recruited by six GDDR5 Samsung K4G41325FE-HC25 chips.
The standard specifications call for a base GPU frequency of 1506 MHz with an average Boost Clock of 1708 MHz. ASUS operates at 1569/1785 MHz. The effective memory frequency corresponds to the standard value of 8 GHz.
The factory overclocking is small, but there is also a software profile with higher core frequencies of 1594/1809 MHz. To select operating profiles, the proprietary ASUS GPU Tweak II utility is used, which also allows monitoring parameters and manual overclocking.
We tested ASUS with standard factory settings. V game mode at an indoor temperature of 23 ° C, the core warmed up to 73 ° C. The fans spun up to 1500 rpm and a little higher, creating extremely low noise. The Boost could peak at 1974 MHz, but the average frequency was at 1934 MHz, as illustrated below in the MSI Afterburner monitoring screenshot during the Gears of War 4 benchmark multiple times.
Traditionally, for tests at standard frequencies, we bring the GeForce GTX 1060 to Boost frequencies at 1860 MHz. We did the same this time, the base value was adjusted so that the Boost frequencies were kept within the 1848-1873 MHz range. In order to avoid discrepancies on the performance graphs, the maximum Boost value for both versions of the GeForce GTX 1060 is indicated as 1860 MHz.
The overclocking potential of ASUS was at the level of the older GeForce GTX 1060 6GB models. The base frequency of the core was raised to 1700 MHz with the maximum Boost up to 2101 MHz. The memory was overclocked to 4743 (9486) MHz.
By increasing the power limit to the maximum and slightly manually accelerating the fans, it was possible to ensure that the core frequency remained at the level of 2088-2101 MHz, with rare deviations from the lower side.
At a fan speed of more than 2000 rpm, there is a clear hum. And if you are very demanding in terms of acoustic comfort, you will have to slow down and, perhaps, slow down a little acceleration.
As a result, the reviewed video card was tested as regular version with standard frequencies, at higher factory frequencies and in overclocking. The older version of the GeForce GTX 1060 and Radeon RX 480 are positioned as more expensive and productive solutions. Therefore, they were only tested at standard frequencies.
Tester characteristics
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GeForce GTX 1060 6GB |
ASUS DUAL GTX 1060 3GB |
GeForce GTX 1060 3GB |
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Architecture |
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GPU codename |
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Number of transistors, mln. |
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Process technology, nm |
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Core area, sq. mm |
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Number of stream processors |
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Number of texture units |
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Number of ROPs |
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Core frequency, MHz |
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Memory bus, bit |
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Memory type |
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Effective memory frequency, MHz |
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Memory size, MB |
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Interface |
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TDP level, W |
GeForce GTX 1060 3GB vs. GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
The GeForce GTX 1060 line is presented in two models - with 3 GB and 6 GB of memory. These versions differ not only in the amount of local RAM. For adapters with a lower memory capacity, a minimally simplified GPU GP106 is also used, which includes 1152 computational units instead of 1280. The number of texture units has also been reduced from 80 to 72. Otherwise, there are no differences. The frequency formulas are identical, the 192-bit memory bus is also used, and the declared TDP is unchanged - 120 watts. Given the technical nuances, the developer should have more explicitly reflected technical differences in the model name. For example, using the notation GeForce GTX 1060 SE 3 GB. Yet the difference is not only in the amount of memory, but also in the computational capabilities of the GPU.
| Radeon RX 470 | Radeon RX 480 |
GeForce GTX 1060 6GB | GeForce GTX 1060 3GB | |
| Crystal name | Ellesmere | Ellesmere | GP106 | GP106 |
| Manufacturing process, nm | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 |
| Crystal area, mm² | 232 | 232 | 200 | 200 |
| Number of transistors, billion | 5,7 | 5,7 | 4,4 | 4,4 |
| GPU clock frequency, MHz | 926/1206 | 1120/1266 | 1506/1708 | 1506/1708 |
| Number of stream processors | 2048 | 2304 | 1280 | 1152 |
| Number of texture units | 128 | 144 | 80 | 72 |
| Number of ROP units | 32 | 32 | 48 | 48 |
| Memory (type, volume), MB | GDDR5, 4096 | GDDR5, 4096/8192 | GDDR5, 6144 | GDDR5, 3072 |
| Memory bus, bit | 256 | 256 | 192 | 192 |
| Effective clock frequency of memory, MHz | 6600 | 7000/8000 | 8008 | 8008 |
| Memory bandwidth, GB / s | 211,2 | 256 | 192,2 | 192,2 |
| Power consumption, W | 120 | 150 | 120 | 120 |
The arrival of the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB was somewhat spontaneous. We can assume that initially such a version was not even planned by the manufacturer, but after the release of the Radeon RX 470, NVIDIA had to take action in a hurry. Reducing the amount of memory - an opportunity to reduce the cost, and hence the selling prices of video cards. Blocking some of the computational blocks is more of a way to organize the ruler, without affecting the actual cost of manufacturing the crystals themselves.
The available storage capacity of 3 GB looks unexpected at first glance. Especially for a mid-range device at sunset 2016. On the network, you can often find users' reproaches and complaints that the manufacturer has not added at least 1 GB, especially considering that even the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti is equipped with 4 GB. But the volume of 3 GB is due to the chip architecture used, which includes three 64-bit memory controllers with a total bit width of 192 bits. Using memory chips of standard capacity, in this case, you can only halve or increase the original memory size, while maintaining the base throughput... It is for this reason that video cards are equipped with 3 GB. In turn, the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti has a 128-bit bus, and therefore it is not difficult to get 4 GB here, but the data transfer rate in this case is noticeably lower.
ASUS DUAL-GTX1060-O3G
The ASUS range includes two GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB models, both of which belong to the DUAL family and differ only in the starting values of the GPU frequencies. A version with factory overclocking came to our review.
The base frequency of the graphics processor in this case is increased to 1569 MHz with an average acceleration value of up to 1785 MHz. Recall that the basic formula is 1506/1708 MHz.
As you might guess, the video card is equipped with 3 GB of GDDR5 memory, operating at an effective 8008 MHz.
Contents of delivery
The video card comes in a compact box. The front panel shows an art with a snow leopard and a large name of the line. There is nothing particularly interesting in the kit - a CD with drivers and software, as well as a quick guide.
Recall that in the new generation of adapters NVIDIA has abandoned analog video outputs, so DVI-VGA adapters, which were often included in the kit earlier, are now simply no longer relevant. Power adapters have also outlived their usefulness. A little bit actual PSUs have 6/8-pin 12 V connectors. For this reason, even top-end adapters now look spartanly simple, but nothing else is required for video cards to work. In the case of ASUS DUAL-GTX1060-O3G, there is a sticker on the box reminding the adapter owner's bonus - 14 days of premium access to World of Warships and the Diana cruiser.
Design and layout
All adapters in the DUAL range are made in the same style with a characteristic milky white plastic casing.
The manufacturer focuses on the fact that the style of the device is perfectly combined with the mother ASUS boards X99-A II, but this is certainly not a dogma.
An original dual-fan cooler is used to cool the video card. The base of the radiator block consists of a cassette of aluminum plates, as well as a pair of heat pipes with a diameter of 8 mm. To speed up heat transfer, the tubes are in direct contact with the GPU die. At the point of contact of the tubes, there is an approximately millimeter groove. It would be nice to get rid of such a gap for a more even heat dissipation. The situation is partially corrected by heat-conducting paste, although this is not an ideal solution.
The radiator block is blown by two 90mm axial fans with large blades and a Wing Blade impeller shape.
For ASUS DUAL-GTX1060-O3G, the original PCB is used, which determines the total length of the adapter - 242 mm. The VRM system has a 5-phase design. Four are used to stabilize the GPU voltage, another is provided for memory.
There are no connectors for SLI bridges. Recall that the GeForce GTX 1060 does not support bundles with two adapters. NVIDIA offers this option only for top-end models, which in general makes sense.
An additional finned radiator is provided for power assemblies. The photo shows empty spaces for two additional power phases. These are the implications of the unification as this platform is also used for the GTX 1070 DUAL series adapters.
The uP9511P controller from uPI Semiconductor is used to control the VRM GPU parameters.
The free pads for additional power chips are also filled only in the case of the GTX 1070, and not for the 6 GB version of the GTX 1060, as one might expect.
In this case, six Samsung K4G41325FE-HC25 chips with 4 Gbps each are used to get the required 3 GB of memory. Additional cooling of microcircuits is not provided.
To connect the power supply, ASUS DUAL-GTX1060-O3G has a 6-pin connector with a traditional 12 V visual alert system.
The red LED next to the connector is on if the power line is not yet connected, and the white one is on when the corresponding cable is connected.
There is no additional protective plate on the back of the PCB. Even devices of a lower class are sometimes equipped with a similar stove, but still in this case it comes about the model in relation to the available series.
On the ASUS DUAL-GTX1060-O3G interface panel, you can see the usual five digital video outputs. At the same time, the very configuration of the ports is typical for new devices from the manufacturer. In addition to DVI-D, the panel also houses two DisplayPorts and a pair of HDMIs, while in most cases the option with three DPs and one HDMI is used. The manufacturer focuses on the fact that a pair of HDMI makes life easier for owners of VR-helmets, who, in addition to the actual immersion devices, virtual reality a monitor / TV set is also connected via the same interface. With two video outputs, there is no need to reconnect cables every time.
In work
In normal mode, the cooling fans rotate even with the minimum load on the video card.
The rotation speed is about 1000 rpm. In such conditions, on an open bench, the temperature of the GPU did not exceed 30 degrees. The noise level at these speeds is minimal.
After a good gaming load, the peak GPU temperature is 72C. As you can see in the GPU-Z screenshot, the fan speed increased to 1500 rpm. The noise is growing, the video card can already be heard against the background of the Thermalright Archon Rev. A processor cooler with its 150 mm fan. The cooling system is not the most efficient, but overall it does its job well.
Under load, the GPU frequency dynamically increases up to 1974 MHz.
Overclocking
The factory overclocking of this model is comparatively low. Even the weighty +63 MHz for the chip against the background of the total high frequency GPU is only + 4.1%. We switch to manual mode and try to further speed up the video card.
Having previously increased the Power Target parameter to the maximum available 116%, the base frequency of the GPU was increased to 1719 MHz. If we start from the recommended 1506 MHz, then this is + 14.1%. The memory was also significantly accelerated - from 8008 MHz to 9568 MHz (+ 19.5%).
After additional overclocking, the peak GPU temperature under load increased to 75 degrees, with the fan speed increasing to 1580 rpm. At the same time, the chip began to accelerate up to 2114 MHz, but in most cases it worked in the range of 2080-2100 MHz.
Test bench configuration
| CPU | Core i7-6700K (4.0 / 4.2 GHz) | Intel, www.intel.ua |
| Cooler | Thermalright Archon Rev. A | Thermalright, www.thermalright.com |
| Motherboard | ASUS Sabertooth Z170 Mark I (Intel Z170) | ASUS, www.asus.ua |
| Memory | HyperX FURY DDR4-2666 (HX426C15FBK2 / 16) | HyperX, www.hyperxgaming.com |
| Storage device | Kingston SSDNow KC300 120GB (SKC300S37A) | Kingston, www.kingston.com |
| Power Supply | Thermaltake Toughpower Grand TPG-1200M (1200W) | Thermaltake, www.thermaltakeusa.com |
| Monitor | ASUS PB278Q (27 ″, 2560 × 1440) | ASUS, www.asus.ua |
Performance
When evaluating the performance, we were interested in determining how much the GTX 1060 3 GB will be inferior to the version with 6 GB of memory, as well as to find out the ratio of forces with the closest price competitor from AMD - the Radeon RX 470 4 GB. The bottom position in our list of devices is occupied by the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4 GB, whose capabilities are about the level of the GeForce GTX 960.
As you can see, in most cases, even when using High Quality graphics, GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB demonstrates very decent performance. The performance of conditionally stock GTX 1060 models differs by 5-10%. And it is not necessarily the amount of memory that plays a decisive role. Recall that the 3 GB version also uses a GPU with a reduced number of computers. Therefore, the resulting difference is rather even less than what we expected to see.
But it would be surprising if there were no nuances here. If the game in a particular mode requires significantly more memory, the performance of the GTX 1060 3GB may be noticeably degraded. Illustrative example- Rise of the Tomb Raider. Here, even significant overclocking does not allow the 3 GB model to come close to the version with 6 GB of memory operating at the nominal frequencies. At reference frequencies, the difference is about 35%. In such situations, even the nominally more affordable Radeon RX 470 4GB almost overtakes the GTX 1060 3GB.
Moreover, using the example of Deus EX: Mankind Divided, we see that in cases especially unfavorable for the GTX 1060 3 GB, it may even be inferior to the model from AMD. Although this is not particularly surprising - no one canceled the optimization of the engine with closer cooperation with game developers. Moreover, this is possible when it comes to devices of the same class and similar cost.
Overclocking ASUS DUAL-GTX1060-O3G brings a very good performance boost. In games, the increase is about 10-15%. This was often enough to overtake the GTX 1060 6GB.
It is also worth mentioning situations when 3 GB of local memory of a video card is a priori not enough for storing textures, but performance for this reason may not significantly decrease. A good example is Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. In test mode Ultra at Full resolution An HD game requires more than 5 GB of video card memory, however, on a GeForce GTX 1060, 3 GB shows very decent results, and after overclocking it is noticeably ahead of the 6 GB modification. Here, not only the required amount of memory is important, but also the intensity of data exchange, which is individual for each case. If there is not enough memory on the video card, some of the data will be stored in random access memory PC. This means that the system RAM should be more, because 2-3 GB can be allocated only for the needs of the graphics adapter. It is desirable that a system with a GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB be equipped with 12-16 GB of RAM.
Choosing a GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB is a deliberate savings, so the cost of the device should be minimal. A reasonable retail benchmark is the equivalent of $ 220-240. Only then can you get the best performance for your money. The surcharge for tuned versions negates all the advantages of the lightweight modification of the GTX 1060. For example, even the most charged versions with very good COs, but costing from $ 270 will definitely not be so attractive, because for this money you can already look towards the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB.
Site score
Pros: Excellent price / performance ratio; decent frames / sec in Full HD mode; factory tuning; overclocking potential and real performance gain; two HDMI outputs
Minuses: Potential performance degradation in games with 3 GB memory shortage
Output: The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB offers excellent value for money. It is a rare case when a nominally middle-class device is in the lead in this parameter. However, this is true for situations where 3 GB of memory is enough to store textures and processed data. In actual games, the capabilities of a video card with this amount of local RAM are enough for comfortable performance in Full HD mode at high, but not maximum quality settings. In such cases, the GTX 1060 3 GB is inferior to the version with 6 GB of memory by no more than 5-10%, and an additional even factory overclocking is completely capable of bringing the indicators closer together, not to mention additional acceleration. In general, the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB looks very attractive for those who are not chasing maximum quality pictures and is ready to abandon resource-intensive anti-aliasing modes. Yes, when you go beyond the limits, performance decreases and sometimes noticeably, but, again, without catastrophic consequences. Even if the figures are on the level of the slightly more affordable Radeon RX 470 4GB, this is not so bad. The reviewed ASUS DUAL-GTX1060-O3G is one of the most affordable versions of the GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB. Balanced model with factory tuning and good frequency potential. For those who have even the slightest idea of which way to move the sliders in the overclocking utilities, choosing a modification without factory afterburner will save about $ 10 more.
