GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce GTX 980 Ti
On raw speed the GeForce GTX 980 Ti comes out ahead: far and away the quicker card, about 43% 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 980 Ti vs GeForce GTX 1060: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 980 Ti vs GeForce GTX 1060
The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is dramatically faster, around 43% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1060. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti packs 2,816 CUDA cores versus 1,280 on the GeForce GTX 1060.
Price & Value
The GeForce GTX 1060 currently lists from $95 USD, $15 USD less than the GeForce GTX 980 Ti at $110 USD. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX 980 Ti wins on performance-per-dollar by about 23%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is trading below its $299 USD MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is trading below its $649 USD MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
At 120W against 250W, the GeForce GTX 1060 is both the lower-power and the more efficient card, making it the easier build to cool and power. Its more modern Pascal architecture on a TSMC 16nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
Memory & Bandwidth
The GeForce GTX 980 Ti's memory is faster — 337 GB/s versus 192 GB/s (384-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 980 Ti?
The GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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 980 Ti better than the GeForce GTX 1060?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1060 or the GeForce GTX 980 Ti?
Is the GeForce GTX 980 Ti worth the extra $15 USD over the GeForce GTX 1060?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1060 or GeForce GTX 980 Ti?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce GTX 980 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal | Maxwell |
| Process Node | TSMC 16nm | TSMC 28nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 1,280 | 2,816✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce GTX 980 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,506 MHz✓ | 1,000 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,708 MHz✓ | 1,075 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce GTX 980 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB | 6 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 384-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 8 Gbps✓ | 7 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 192 GB/s | 336.5 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 | GeForce GTX 980 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 120 W✓ | 250 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 6-pin | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Jul 2016 | Jun 2015 |