GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
On raw speed the GeForce GTX 1080 comes out dramatically faster — about 333% ahead of the GeForce GTX 960. It also wins on performance-per-dollar, making it the cleaner choice when you can afford it.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce GTX 960: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce GTX 960
The GeForce GTX 1080 is dramatically faster, around 333% ahead of the GeForce GTX 960. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce GTX 1080 packs 2,560 CUDA cores versus 1,024 on the GeForce GTX 960.
Price & Value
The GeForce GTX 960 currently lists from $55 USD, $110 USD less than the GeForce GTX 1080 at $165 USD. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX 1080 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 44%. The GeForce GTX 960 is trading below its $199 USD MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce GTX 1080 is trading below its $599 USD MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the GeForce GTX 960 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. Its more modern Pascal architecture on a TSMC 16nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce GTX 1080 carries 8GB versus 2GB on the GeForce GTX 960. The extra 6GB 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 112 GB/s (256-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1080 or GeForce GTX 960?
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 960 if you find it at a steep discount.