GTX 1060 3GB May Feature Smaller GPU than 6GB Version

One of the more surprising reveals to come from the GTX 1060 launch was the lack of SLI support. While disappointing, it did make some business sense for Nvidia to keep the GTX 1070 and GTX 1080 safe from SLI 1060’s. Now a new leak suggests that Nvidia is playing even more games with the GTX 1060, specifically the 3GB variant.

According to the latest leak, the 3 GB variant won’t feature the same GP106 GPU. Instead of the GP106 400, it may use the GP106 300 instead. This means the 3GB variant will only have 1152 CUDA cores, 128 fewer than the full-size 6GB GTX 1060. Other specifications like the memory bandwidth and bus size remain the same. With 10% fewer shaders, this would likely put performance at just about or under the RX 480 from AMD. This suggests a lower MSRP than the 6GB variants, likely at least $50.

While Nvidia launching a 3GB GTX 1060 isn’t a bad thing, having a different GPU would be confusing to most consumers. Someone going to the store planning to get a GTX 1060 6GB performance card based off of reviews may well walk out with a 3GB model that underperforms. Honestly, if this leak is true, the better option would be to create a GTX 1050 or 1050 Ti instead. What do you think of this rumour?