Is the GTX 1060 Still Worth It for Gaming in 2025?
Released in 2016, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 quickly became a fan favorite, offering excellent 1080p gaming performance at an affordable price. For years, it dominated the Steam Hardware Survey as the most popular graphics card, a testament to its widespread adoption and reliability. However, as technology advances and new, more demanding games are released, a crucial question arises for budget-conscious gamers and those holding onto their trusty 1060: Is the GTX 1060 still worth it for gaming in 2025? This article delves into the card’s performance across various game types, its market value, and other factors to help you decide if this veteran GPU can still hold its own in the modern gaming landscape.
Performance in Esports and Older AAA Titles
For competitive esports titles such as Valorant and Counter-Strike 2, the GTX 1060 continues to deliver excellent frame rates, often exceeding 200 FPS on high and medium settings at 1080p. Similarly, in well-optimized or older AAA games like Apex Legends, Forza Horizon 5, and Grand Theft Auto V, users can expect a smooth experience with frame rates generally ranging between 80 and 110 FPS on high settings. This makes the GTX 1060 a viable option for gamers primarily focused on these types of titles. [1]
Performance in Modern, Graphically Demanding Titles
The card struggles significantly with modern, graphically intensive AAA games. Titles such as A Plague Tale: Requiem, Alan Wake II, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows typically run at a modest 30-40 FPS, often requiring the lowest settings and reliance on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) upscaling to achieve playable frame rates. Other demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, God of War, and Red Dead Redemption 2 perform somewhat better, achieving 45-60 FPS on medium to high settings, but still indicate the card’s limitations with newer releases. [1]
VRAM Limitations: 3GB vs. 6GB
The 3GB version of the GTX 1060 faces significant VRAM limitations in 2025, making it less suitable for modern games that demand more video memory. The 6GB version offers better performance due to its larger VRAM, but even it struggles with the highest texture settings in many contemporary titles. This VRAM constraint is particularly noticeable in games with large open worlds or high-resolution textures, where the 3GB variant can quickly hit its memory limit, leading to stuttering and reduced frame rates. The 6GB model, while more capable, still falls short of the VRAM requirements of some of the most demanding titles, forcing users to compromise on visual fidelity. [1]
Market Value and Availability in 2025
As of September 2025, the market for GTX 1060 cards is primarily in the used segment. New GTX 1060 cards are rarely available, and if found, their prices are often inflated. Used GTX 1060 6GB cards are typically found on platforms like eBay for around $50-$60, while the 3GB version can be slightly cheaper. Some sources indicate new GTX 1060 3GB cards listed on Amazon for around $249, which is significantly higher than its used market value and original MSRP. The overall sentiment suggests that purchasing a new GTX 1060 in 2025 is not cost-effective, and even used prices should be approached with caution, considering the card’s aging performance compared to newer, similarly priced alternatives in the used market (e.g., RX 5600 XT or RTX 2060). [1]
Driver Support and Longevity
NVIDIA’s driver support for the GTX 1060 is expected to continue, but some sources suggest that support for Windows 10 users might end in October 2025. This could impact the long-term viability of the card for some users, especially those who prefer to stay on older operating systems. While the card will likely still function, the lack of optimized drivers could lead to performance degradation in future titles and potential compatibility issues. For Windows 11 users, driver support is expected to continue for a longer period, but the card’s aging architecture will eventually become a bottleneck regardless of software support. [1]
Conclusion: The Verdict in 2025
In summary, the GTX 1060 remains a decent option for budget 1080p gaming in 2025, especially for esports and older AAA titles. However, for playing the latest AAA games, significant compromises in graphical settings and resolution are necessary. Its diminishing market value and the emergence of more powerful, affordable used GPUs make it a less compelling choice for new purchases in 2025, unless acquired at a very low price. For those who already own a GTX 1060 and primarily play less demanding games, it can still provide a satisfactory experience. However, if you’re looking to play the latest and greatest titles at high settings, an upgrade is highly recommended. [1]
