GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce GTX 1080
On raw speed the GeForce GTX 1080 comes out dramatically faster — about 86% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1060. But the GeForce GTX 1060 is the better value, undercutting it by $776 EUR for the performance you get.
Market Value Leader
GeForce GTX 1060 is the clear winner, offering 1185.8% better value than GeForce GTX 1080.
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Comparable or lower specs
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 $34 EUR, $776 EUR less than the GeForce GTX 1080 at $810 EUR. Despite being slower, the GeForce GTX 1060 offers the better performance-per-dollar (~1186% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce GTX 1060 is trading below its $299 EUR MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce GTX 1080 still sits about $211 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
The GeForce GTX 1080 carries 8GB versus 6GB on the GeForce GTX 1060. The extra 2GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers. 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?
Choose the GeForce GTX 1080 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce GTX 1060 stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.
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 $776 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 |