GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce RTX 2060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is slightly ahead — leading the GeForce GTX 1080 by roughly 8% in our performance index. The GeForce GTX 1080, however, delivers more performance per dollar — $137 GBP cheaper.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 2060 12GB vs GeForce GTX 1080: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 2060 12GB vs GeForce GTX 1080
The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is marginally faster, around 8% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1080. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce GTX 1080 is better matched to entry-level 1080p.
Price & Value
On price, expect to pay $150 GBP for the GeForce GTX 1080 versus $287 GBP for the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB. Despite being slower, the GeForce GTX 1080 offers the better performance-per-dollar (~77% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce GTX 1080 is trading below its $599 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
With 12GB against 8GB, the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB has more headroom for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative/AI tasks where the GeForce GTX 1080's 8GB can fall short.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is roughly 5 years newer than the GeForce GTX 1080 (Turing vs Pascal), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1080 or GeForce RTX 2060 12GB?
Choose the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce GTX 1080 stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB better than the GeForce GTX 1080?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1080 or the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB worth the extra $137 GBP over the GeForce GTX 1080?
Does the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1080 or GeForce RTX 2060 12GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal | Turing |
| Process Node | TSMC 16nm | TSMC 12nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,560✓ | 2,176 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,607 MHz✓ | 1,470 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,733 MHz✓ | 1,650 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 12 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR5X | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit✓ | 192-bit |
| Memory Speed | 10 Gbps | 14 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 320 GB/s | 336 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 180 W✓ | 184 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | May 2016 | Dec 2021 |