If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line GTX 1060 graphics card then look no further, the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming is probably the best out there.
As you can see from the image below it carries the same design as the higher-end Xtreme Gaming models but with the key difference is that the GTX 1060 model here runs with alternate-spinning dual-fan, that’s dual 100mm fan. The X on the shroud and the various wordings at the side are RGB backlit that can be customized via software.
The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming is one huge and heavy card, not only is the cooler big but the card itself is weighty much due to the solid backplate. Unlike other GTX 1060, this model here is powered by an 8-pin PCI-E power connector instead of 6-pin, allowing it to draw beyond 150W if need. Notice also that it has 2x HDMI output towards the front section of the card, this allows a host of multi-display configuration, especially for VR purpose.
From the rear you’ll see a Dual-link DVI-D, 3x DP1.4 and a HDMI 2.0b output.
Below is the GPU-Z screen capture.
Check out the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming’s full list of features at the official product page.
Test Setup
| Processor | Intel Core i7-5960X @ 4.5Ghz |
| RAM | Avexir DDR4 3000Mhz 2x 8GB. |
| Motherboard | ASRock X99 OC Formula |
| Power Supply | Cooler Master V850 |
| Operating System | Windows 10 64bit |
Overclocking
Despite being already factory overclocked, I am able to push some 150Mhz on both Core and Memory (Effective DDR speed is 600Mhz).
Benchmarks
Unigine Heaven 4.0
*NOTE : Details are set to maximum.
| Card | 1080p (avg) |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming | 65 |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming OC | 68 |
| Galax GTX 1060 EX OC | 63 |
| Zotac GTX 1060 AMP | 62 |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 Reference | 54 |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Reference | 65 |
Metro Last Light
| Card | 1080p (avg) |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming | 90 |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming OC | 95 |
| Galax GTX 1060 EX OC | 92 |
| Zotac GTX 1060 AMP | 85 |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 Reference | 80 |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Reference | 88 |
Shadow of Mordor
Settings : Set to ULTRA, V-sync off.
| Card | 1080p (avg) |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming | 93 |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming OC | 99 |
| Galax GTX 1060 EX OC | 97 |
| Zotac GTX 1060 AMP | 89 |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 Reference | 71 |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Reference | 92 |
Bioshock Infinite
Settings are at
2 – UltraDX11_DDOF | 2 – Custom | 1 – 16:9 | 4 – FullHD / 4K
| Card | 1080p (avg) |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming | 120 |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming OC | 123 |
| Galax GTX 1060 EX OC | 123 |
| Zotac GTX 1060 AMP | 114 |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 Reference | 112 |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Reference | 123 |
Grand Theft Auto V
Settings : Every option to the MAX setting available.
| Card | 1080p (avg) |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming | 47 |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming OC | 49 |
| Galax GTX 1060 EX OC | 46 |
| Zotac GTX 1060 AMP | 45 |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 Reference | 37 |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Reference | 50 |
The Division
Settings : Set to ULTRA, V-sync OFF.
| Card | 1080p (avg) |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming | 59 |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming OC | 63 |
| Galax GTX 1060 EX OC | 60 |
| Zotac GTX 1060 AMP | 58 |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 Reference | 61 |
Ashes of the Singularity (DX12)
Settings : Set to CRAZY
| Card | 1080p (avg) |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming | 40 |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming OC | 45 |
| Galax GTX 1060 EX OC | 37 |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 G1 Gaming | 37 |
| Zotac GTX 1060 AMP | 36 |
Hitman (DX12)
Settings : Maximum
| Card | 1080p (avg) |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming | 69 |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming OC | 72 |
| Galax GTX 1060 EX OC | 66 |
| Zotac GTX 1060 AMP | 69 |
Temperature
Furmark Burn-in Test was used to stress the card. Fan settings are at Auto. Room set to ~25c.
| Card | Idle(°C) | Load (°C) |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming | 45 | 64 |
| Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming (Full RPM) | 31 | 53 |
The fan hovers at around 52% on AUTO settings when on high load, having the fans being dual 80mm means the system generates more noise than some other models.
Power Consumption
The stress was done with Furmark Burn-in Test. Power consumption reading was taken from the watt-meter, actual power draw by the entire system from the wall point. I’m using an Cooler Master V850 with around 90% efficiency and the estimated system power draw (CPU, not including GPU) during Furmark test is 90w.
| Card | Gigabyte GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming |
| Furmark Burn-in | 254 |
| Estimated Actual System Draw | 229 |
| Estimated Card Power Draw | 138 |
Well, it doesn’t seem to go beyond that 150W limit but it’s very close.
The Verdict
The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 Xtreme Gaming retails at RM 1,399 – the price is on the high side of GTX 1060 card but there is quite a significant performance gain, especially after you overclock. Not only that, you get an awesome looking cooler with RGB lights that cools really well, and it has backplate that many GTX 1060 doesn’t have and not forgetting the HDMI output that caters for VR usage.
