The GPU market has seen tremendous technological advancements in recent years. With new models constantly superseding old ones, gamers and builders often face tough choices picking between outdated but capable cards versus newer but slower ones.
Two examples are the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 and GTX 1650 – separated by architecture, generations but still leading picks in the high value segment. This guide will scrutinize both options in detail to determine the better performer.
How Budget Cards Fit Into the Wider GPU Landscape
Modern graphics cards can largely be segmented into three price tiers:
High end ($500+) – Cards like the RTX 3080/3090 aimed at 4K gaming with all settings maxed out. Offer best-in-class performance but at premium pricing.
Mid range ($200 to $500) – Cards like RTX 3060 Ti and RX 6700 XT focused on high FPS 1080p and 1440p gaming. The sweet spot for most gamers.
Budget (<$200) – Lower spec cards like GTX 1060 and GTX 1650. Compromise on some AAA performance but deliver outstanding value. Ideal for e-sports titles, older games or non-gaming workloads.
The GTX 1060 launched in mid-2016 as a mid-range card, later getting a price cut to better compete with AMD‘s RX580 in the budget market.
The 1650 launched in April 2019, replacing the outdated 1050 series as Nvidia‘s cheapest Turing card. Despite the generation gap, both occupy the budget tier today due to trickle down effect…
Audience: If you‘re building on a tight budget, focusing on esports or playing older titles, read on…
GTX 1060 – Nvidia‘s Mature Budget Champion
The 1060 remains one of Nvidia‘s most successful models, thanks to its well-rounded specs which still hold up reasonably today. Let‘s analyze some key details:
Launch date – Mid 2016
Architecture – Pascal (16nm FinFET)
CUDA Cores – 1280
Clock Speeds – 1506Mhz Base / 1708Mhz Boost
Memory – 6GB GDDR5, 192-bit bus, 192 GB/s bandwidth
Nvidia introduced…
GTX 1650 – Turing Goes Budget Friendly
After facing criticism for their exorbitant RTX pricing, Nvidia released the GTX 1650 as an affordable Turing option for the masses. Details below:
Launch date – April 2019
Architecture – Turing (12nm FinFET)
CUDA Cores – 896
Clock Speeds – 1410-1485Mhz Base / 1590-1665Mhz Boost
Memory – 4GB GDDR5/GDDR6, 128-bit bus, 128GB/s bandwidth
Turing represented a major architectural revamp from Pascal with introductions like…
Table for easy comparison
| Spec | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce GTX 1650 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | July 2016 | April 2019 |
| Process / Architecture | 16nm FinFET Pascal | 12nm FinFET Turing |
| CUDA Cores | 1280 | 896 |
| Base Clock | 1506 MHz | 1410/1485 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1708 MHz | 1590/1665 MHz |
| Memory | 6GB GDDR5 | 4GB GDDR5/GDDR6 |
Now that we understand what each card brings to the table, let‘s see how they compare on in-game benchmarks and other usage scenarios…
AAA Gaming Performance
Thanks to mature drivers and sizable OC headroom, the GTX 1060 still comfortably beats the 1650 in most titles especially at higher resolutions.
Some average FPS numbers from TechSpot‘s excellent benchmark database:
1080p Ultra Settings
| Game | 1060 FPS | 1650 FPS | % Faster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow of Tomb Raider | 52 | 38 | 37% |
| Assassins Creed Valhalla | 48 | 34 | 41% |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 33 | 25 | 32% |
1440p High Settings
| Game | 1060 FPS | 1650 FPS | % Faster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 49 | 32 | 53% |
| Horizon Zero Dawn | 71 | 49 | 45% |
| Elden Ring | 48 | 34 | 41% |
The 1650 shows surprising prowess in less demanding e-sports titles though, trading blows with the 1060 in Rainbow Six Siege, Valorant etc. But in most AAA titles, the 1060‘s memory bandwidth and CUDA core advantage gives it comfortable lead.
Let‘s also check some creative workloads…
Content Creation Benchmarks
Thanks to strong compute horsepower and ample VRAM, the 1060 also excels in creative applications as benchmarked by Puget Systems:
Premiere Pro 4K to 1080p Export
| GPU | Time (Mins) |
|---|---|
| GTX 1650 | 11.3 |
| GTX 1060 | 9.5 |
DaVinci Resolve Color Grading 4K 120FPS Footage
| GPU | Avg. Frames Per Minute |
|---|---|
| GTX 1650 | 16.2 |
| GTX 1060 | 23 |
So whether gaming, video editing or 3D modeling, creators should favor the GTX 1060 over…
Power Efficiency
The 1650‘s 12nm process provides major efficiency benefits allowing a tiny 75W TDP rating versus the 1060‘s 120W. But most 1060 models run quite cool thanks to mature coolers. Still, the 1650 suits compact or basic pre-built PCs better.
Availability and Pricing
both these cards are discontinued officially but remain sought in the second hand market thanks ongoing supply constraints:
| GPU | Used Prices |
|---|---|
| GTX 1060 6GB | $130 to $180 |
| GTX 1650 4GB | $100 to $150 |
Considering performance, the 1060 justifies the slight premium over 1650 models. Just ensure sufficient warranty coverage if buying used.
Verdict
For gamers and creators focusing on 1080p or higher resolution, the GTX 1060 still delivers better value and performance despite its age. Architecture and process node improvements give the 1650 much better power efficiency though. When gaming at 720p or playing older titles, the 1650 is sufficient for 60 FPS.
So in summary:
GTX 1060 – Faster performer, justifies premium pricing, excels in AAA gaming, creator workflows
GTX 1650 – Super power efficient, cool and quiet, ideal for e-sports / casual gaming, great placeholder card
Pick the 1060 for no-compromise 1080p gaming today. Go 1650 if you prioritize future proofing and efficiency over peak frame rates.
I hope this comprehensive face-off has helped pick the right budget GPU for your needs! Please reach out if any questions.
