Hardware Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| GPU Architecture | NVIDIA Pascal GP106-400-A1 — 16nm FinFET |
| PCI Device ID | 0x1C03 (GP106-400-A1) |
| SubVendor ID | 0x196E (PNY Technologies) |
| CUDA Cores | 1280 (10 SM units) |
| Base Clock | 1506 MHz (reference spec) |
| Boost Clock | 1708 MHz (reference spec) |
| Memory | 6 GB GDDR5 — 192-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 192 GB/s |
| TDP | 120W (reference) |
| Power Connectors | 1× 6-pin (reference configuration) |
| Flash Tool | nvflash 5.770+ |
| BIOS Editor | NiBiTor 6.x |
Reference BIOS Structure
PNY's GTX 1060 6GB ships with a BIOS very close to NVIDIA's reference specification. NiBiTor's PowerPolicy tab shows 120W Base Power and 140W Maximum Power — standard reference GP106-400 values. The Performance tab P-state table shows the maximum GPU boost P-state at 1708 MHz, matching NVIDIA's published boost clock specification exactly.
The GDDR5 memory P-states in the Performance tab show the memory clock stepping from idle (405 MHz) through intermediate states (810/1000 MHz) to the full 2002 MHz effective rate at load. These memory P-state transitions are visible in GPU-Z sensor view during load ramp-up.
BIOS Comparison with Zotac AMP Edition
Comparing the PNY reference BIOS with the Zotac GTX 1060 AMP Edition BIOS in NiBiTor reveals the specific entries that Zotac has modified for factory overclock:
| BIOS Entry | PNY Reference | Zotac AMP |
|---|---|---|
| Max Boost P-state | 1708 MHz | 1809 MHz |
| Base Power (TDP) | 120W | ~130W |
| Maximum Power | 140W | ~153W |
| Memory Clock | 2002 MHz eff. | 2002 MHz eff. |
| SubVendor ID | 0x196E (PNY) | 0x19DA (Zotac) |
| SubSystem ID | varies | 0x1503 (AMP) |
The SubVendor ID difference (0x196E vs 0x19DA) is what nvflash checks when performing compatibility verification. BIOS cross-flash from Zotac AMP to PNY requires --force to bypass this check — which also removes the safety validation that the target BIOS is appropriate for the hardware configuration.
Role as a Reference Card
In the second-hand market, PNY's standard GTX 1060 variants often command lower prices than AMP or FTW equivalents due to their reference-tier specifications. For users primarily interested in BIOS analysis rather than modified power limits, the lower cost and clean reference BIOS make PNY cards a straightforward choice. For users intending to push power limits, the AMP Edition's 8-pin connector provides a more appropriate hardware foundation.