facebook rss twitter

Review: MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X

by Parm Mann on 20 July 2016, 11:30

Tags: MSI, NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qac4oh

Add to My Vault: x

Conclusion

Whereas custom RX 480s have been slow to materialise, retail listings are already crawling with third-party GTX 1060s.

The GeForce GTX 1060 is a capable GPU aimed at the upper mid-range market. Forged from the highly efficient 16nm Pascal architecture, it delivers a performance level well suited to gaming at FHD or QHD resolutions, while keeping power consumption down to an admirable level.

A sensible fit for a mid-to-high-end build? Perhaps, yet there are a few finer details that muddy the buying decision. A lack of SLI support is a surprise omission, particularly when you consider that Nvidia's offering is in many cases pricier than the CrossFire-enabled Radeon RX 480 with which it competes. And if energy efficiency isn't high on your list of priorities, it's worth noting that the similarly priced GeForce GTX 980 still comes out ahead in most benchmarks.

GTX 1060, then, isn't a clear-cut winner in the sub-£300 arena, but it does have variety on its side. Whereas custom RX 480s have been slow to materialise, retail listings are already crawling with third-party GTX 1060s.

Prices start from a competitive £230 but rise steeply for cards outfitted with high-end coolers. MSI's GTX 1060 Gaming X is already among the coolest, quietest and best-looking options, but such an elaborate design fetches a significant premium and at £300 it's anything but cheap.

The Good
 
The Bad
Well suited to FHD or QHD gaming
Excellent cooling performance
Silent when idle, quiet under load
Highly efficient architecture
Three-year warranty
 
Costs more than a GTX 980
Lacks SLI support



MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X

HEXUS.where2buy*

The MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X graphics card is available to purchase from Scan Computers, Ebuyer and Overclockers UK.

HEXUS.right2reply

At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.



*UK-based HEXUS community members are eligible for free delivery and priority customer service through the SCAN.care@HEXUS forum.



HEXUS Forums :: 21 Comments

Login with Forum Account

Don't have an account? Register today!
All these new cards are all well & good but are aimed at main stream gamers price wise.
When are the true budget(£100-£150)high setting 1080p cards coming that look good & run cool?
Wanting to spend up to £300 on a shiny new GPU?
Nope, max £200 for me! But I'll continue reading past the first line of the article out of curiosity anyway.
AIB RX480 cards,where thou art you?? ;)
So, can someone explain to me, with a $289 MSRP, the justification for a £300, $390 price tag in the UK?, when the £ is currently at $1.30

No, thought not.

I remember the time when MSI weren't opportunistic price gouging douchebags with their cards.
Bagpuss
So, can someone explain to me, with a $289 MSRP, the justification for a £300, $390 price tag in the UK?, when the £ is currently at $1.30

No, thought not.

I remember the time when MSI weren't opportunistic price gouging douchebags with their cards.

ASUS are selling a 1060 Strix for £326 and $330.