GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce GTX 1080
On raw speed the GeForce GTX 1080 comes out ahead: far and away the quicker card, about 86% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1060. Best performance and best value in one card here — the clear recommendation if you can afford it.
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GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce GTX 1060: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce GTX 1060
The GeForce GTX 1080 is dramatically faster, around 86% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1060. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce GTX 1080 packs 2,560 CUDA cores versus 1,280 on the GeForce GTX 1060.
Price & Value
The GeForce GTX 1060 currently lists from $444 EUR, $293 EUR less than the GeForce GTX 1080 at $737 EUR. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX 1080 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 12%. The GeForce GTX 1060 still sits about $145 EUR above its $299 EUR MSRP. The GeForce GTX 1080 still sits about $138 EUR above its $599 EUR MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the GeForce GTX 1060 is the gentler choice at 120W versus 180W. The GeForce GTX 1080 is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 180W draw means more heat and a bigger PSU.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
VRAM favors the GeForce GTX 1080 at 8GB versus 6GB on the GeForce GTX 1060 — that extra 2GB matters most at 4K, with high-res texture packs, and for content-creation/local-AI work. The GeForce GTX 1080's memory is also faster — 320 GB/s versus 192 GB/s (256-bit vs 192-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1060 or GeForce GTX 1080?
The GeForce GTX 1080 is the all-round winner here — it's faster and the better value, so buy it if it fits your budget. Only consider the GeForce GTX 1060 if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce GTX 1080 better than the GeForce GTX 1060?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1060 or the GeForce GTX 1080?
Is the GeForce GTX 1080 worth the extra $293 EUR over the GeForce GTX 1060?
Does the GeForce GTX 1080 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1060 or GeForce GTX 1080?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce GTX 1080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal | Pascal |
| Process Node | TSMC 16nm | TSMC 16nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 1,280 | 2,560✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce GTX 1080 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,506 MHz | 1,607 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,708 MHz | 1,733 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce GTX 1080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB | 8 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5X |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 256-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 8 Gbps | 10 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 192 GB/s | 320 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce GTX 1080 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 120 W✓ | 180 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 6-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Jul 2016 | May 2016 |