Every year, a large number of video cards appear that are becoming popular not only for working systems, but also for gaming computers. It has been a long time since the appearance of the GTX 1060 graphics card. The overclocking of its modified versions turned out to be different.
About graphics card
Nvidia is famous for periodically releasing video cards that can fill in the missing spots in a given segment. This happened with the GTX 1060. This model was released as an update to outdated GPUs.
Despite the fact that the previous GTX 1050 Ti graphics card was produced on a 14nm processor, the new model used the technology a little worse. However, overclocking the GTX 1060 has great potential. The model is considered an effective GPU for mining.
Before considering a few modifications, it is important to understand what the reference version of this model is.
Characteristics of the GTX 1060
This model is built on the Pascal architecture, has a memory speed of 8 GHz per second, the relative frequency of the video memory is 1.4 X. The video card received an actual frequency of 1708 MHz.
It was assumed that the model will be available in 2 variations. Viduha at 6 GB has 1280 CUDA cores, video memory - GDDR5 with a capacity of 6 GB and a frequency of 1708 MHz. The 3 GB graphics card is equipped with 1024 CUDA cores.
Since overclocking the GTX 1060 for mining is often considered, a hash rate is important. It is worth noting immediately that the 3 GB model is definitely not suitable for Ethereum mining. This is due to the fact that the volume of 3 GB cannot save the constantly growing special files for mining. The only thing you can do is try creating ZCash.
But the 6 GB version is perfect for this process. The model has good basic cleanliness, although the overclocking potential is very high. For example, unlike the GTX 1050 Ti, for this model it will be possible to raise frequencies much higher.
Modifications
It just so happened that overclocking the GTX 1060 3Gb video card is less relevant than the older version of the model. Even if mining is not taken into account, popular computer games require more and more space. Leading manufacturers are trying to develop video cards that would have more than 4 GB of video memory.
As always, after the Nvidia company, having received the reference version, manufacturers begin to develop modified models of the video card. Non-reference devices appear during the next year and fight for the right to be the first. As always, Asus, MSI, Gigabyte and Palit stand out among the leaders.
Product from Asus
Asus GTX 1060 came in several variations. The difference could be noticed not only in the technical characteristics, but also in the design of the model. Despite the fact that the GTX 1060 from NVIDIA appeared back in 2016, the company introduced an updated version within a year. Therefore, following the reference version, its modification from Asus appeared.
The manufacturer does not change its traditions and still puts new models in branded boxes. This video card was delivered in a compact cardboard box, decorated in the style characteristic of the manufacturer.
On the front side of the package, as always, the main characteristics of the model fit. Immediately one could see that viduha has a factory overclock. On the back of the box, the manufacturer posted photographs of the model, as well as a description of the features and technologies.
There is nothing much to find inside the package. Here, in addition to the device itself, there is a DVD with drivers and software, as well as installation instructions.
Appearance Asus
Since the Asus GTX 1060 is an expensive graphics card, we have done a good job on the appearance. Before us is a two-slot model, which is covered with a protective casing at the top and bottom. Despite the usual trends from this company, for some reason this model did not fall into the “owl” series. Although the fan casing itself is very similar to the famous bird image.
On the reverse side, the board is covered with a metal plate, which protects not only textolite, but also batteries. A large radiator with heat sink tubes is hidden under the casing. There are 5 connectors on the interface board, including DVI-D, a pair of HDMI version 2.0, and a pair of DisplayPort. A radiator grill was placed near the ports, through which a partial outlet of heated air takes place.
Characteristics Asus
This model is practically no different from the reference version. It was carried out according to the 16-nm process technology, the crystal area is 200 mm square, and the number of transistors is 4400 million. Since we already have an overclocked version, the GPU frequency is 1595 MHz against 1506 reference ones. In Boost mode, this figure rises to 1810 MHz.
Due to factory overclocking, the Asus GTX 1060 also increased the theoretical maximum fill and texture sampling rates. The frequency of video memory increased by 12%. Now it is 9028 MHz.
A nice bonus was the fact that this model was lighter by 300 g.
Overclocking Asus
Due to the fact that the model is already overclocked in the box, there were no hopes for overclocking and potential. However, increasing the frequency was a nice bonus. For overclocking, the food limit was increased by 113%, and the temperature increased to a maximum of 92 degrees. As a result, the processor accelerated by 110 MHz, and video memory - by 730 MHz.
The stable indicator was 1920 MHz. Although, according to monitoring data, it was possible to overclock to 2050 MHz. But in this case, there might be a malfunction in the video card.
During overclocking, the cooling system showed itself well, which raised the temperature by only 2 degrees.
Msi
As always, “ahead of the rest” was MSI. After the release of the GTX 1060, this manufacturer immediately developed its improved modification called the Gaming X 6G. From the name it’s clear that this model comes with 6 GB of video memory.
MSI, as always, delights fans with its bright boxes. This model was also placed in red packaging with already familiar graphic elements. In front there is an image of the model itself, and also its main characteristics are indicated.
MSI Appearance
A nice bonus was that the developer did not degrade this version, only because it has less video memory than a more powerful solution. Despite the fact that the board itself is simple, and the model has low power consumption, the company decided not to touch the cooling system and not to simplify it.
The textolite is covered by a radiator, and that, in turn, is protected by a casing. It is made in red and black, has built-in fans. The total card length is about 28 cm.
The back also decided to protect the textolite and the batteries with a metal plate. In addition to standard holes and bolts, the company logo and the famous dragon are displayed here. In the corner you can see the power connector for 8 contacts.
There are five ports on the interface panel. Usually one DVI, HDMI and 3 DisplayPort are enough for the user.
MSI Features
The video card runs at a core core frequency of 1595 MHz, and in the Boost mode 1810 MHz. Video memory has a speed of 8.1 GHz. If you use proprietary software from MSI, then this frequency configuration will be displayed in OC Mode. Some models can immediately function in the Gaming Mode profile. In it, the frequencies can be increased to 1570/1785 MHz.
The proprietary application also has Silent Mode, which operates at frequencies of 1507/1722 MHz.
Overclocking MSI
Overclocking the GTX 1060 from MSI proved to be quite potential. In order for the indicators to be objective, it is important to conduct testing in silent mode. As a result, Boost indicators were raised to 2126 MHz. Viduha coped with all the hard tests at that frequency, but failures did occur. Therefore, in order to bring the work to stability, it was necessary to lower the frequencies to 2101 MHz.
Of course, the speed turned out to be good, but in fact, the increase was only 13%. The best result was achieved by working with video memory. Its frequency was increased by 19%, to obtain the value of 9548 MHz.
To ensure stable overclocking of the GTX 1060 6Gb from MSI, the fan speed had to be kept at 1300 rpm. The cooling system did a good job of this: it made no unnecessary noise, and the temperature did not rise to critical levels.
Gigabyte
As market analysis shows, modification from this company is always a little cheaper than from Asus or MSI. But this does not mean at all that they are worse. Gigabyte also worked with the reference version of the GeForce GTX 1060. Overclocking this modification is not bad. But first things first.
The video card comes in a original box from the manufacturer. The front of the user is attracted by the vivid graphic design and indication of the main technologies of this model.
Appearance of Gigabyte
The GeForce GTX 1060 WindForce OC 6G belongs to a series of video cards that are equipped with a proprietary cooling system. Therefore, the appearance resembles previously released models. The video card has received small dimensions, its length does not exceed 22 cm. The textolite covers the radiator, on top of which there is a dual-slot casing.
The reverse side of the PCB is also protected by a plate, but made of plastic. In the corner there is a 6-pin power port. On the interface panel fit four ports. Among them there is one HDMI, DisplayPort and a pair of DVI-D
Gigabyte Features
The processor is equipped with 1280 CUDA cores, and 6 GB are equipped with 6 chips from Samsung. Overclocking the GTX 1060 from Gigabyte is necessary, because out of the box the video card runs at a base frequency of 1506 MHz. Although there is evidence that it is increased to 1557 MHz. In boost mode, the default value is applied. Video memory runs at 8 GHz.
By installing proprietary software, you can manage software settings. Looking at the application settings, you can see that the initial configuration corresponds to the Gaming Mode. You can enable the accelerated mode, then the frequency will increase to 1582 MHz.
If you load this model, it will turn on the Boost mode, and the speed will increase by 300 MHz.
Overclocking Gigabyte
Overclocking the GTX 1060 6Gb from Gigabyte turned out to be average. Someone was outraged that the frequencies could not be raised at all. Although taking into account the cost of this modification, it was not worth waiting for a significant increase. We managed to raise the base frequency by 100 MHz, and in Boost mode - up to 2063 MHz.
In this case, the video memory overclocked again better. We managed to overclock it to 9410 MHz.
For the improvement process to be stable, it was necessary to set the fan speed to 65%. As a result, the temperature did not exceed 78 degrees. It is believed that when buying additional cooling, you can still increase the frequency.
Overclocking software
Almost every manufacturer of a modified video card offers additional software. Some softwares help in overclocking the GTX 1060 for mining, but most are designed to easily adjust the frequencies.
Still the most popular program is proprietary software from MSI. Afterburner easily copes with overclocking the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 and other video cards. Moreover, it does not matter which manufacturer your modification is from.
MSI Afterburner works with models from Nvidia and AMD, has a constantly updated interface and easy management. The program immediately displays the overclocking capabilities.