GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel): Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅12.9% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Draws 180W instead of 300W, a 120W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (10,064 vs 26,543).
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 16 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.

GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)

2016

Why buy it

✅+163.7% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅166.7% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (16 GB vs 6 GB).
✅GeForce GTX 1060 is already legacy-tier future-proofing, so GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Older hardware, 16 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
❌66.7% higher power demand at 300W vs 180W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce GTX 1060 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 12.9% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) instead at 26,543 vs 10,064, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 16 GB vs 6 GB of VRAM. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce GTX 1060 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 1060 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and strong 1440p headroom, GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

GeForce GTX 1060

The GeForce GTX 1060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 27 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1607 MHz to 1733 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,064 points. Launch price was $599.

GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)

The GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 16 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1556 MHz to 1734 MHz. It has 5120 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,543 points.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)'s 26,543 — the GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) leads by 163.7%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) uses Pascal, both on a 16 nm process. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 5,120 (GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1734 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)
G3D Mark Score	10,064	26,543+164%
Architecture	Pascal	Pascal
Process Node	16 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	2560	5120+100%
Boost Clock	1733 MHz	1734 MHz

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) carries 16 GB. GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) gives you 166.7% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 320 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)) — a 66.7% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel). Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060 and 256-bit on the GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	16 GB+167%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5X
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	320 GB/s+67%
Bus Width	192-bit	256-bit+33%

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Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 1.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)
DirectX	12	12.1
Vulkan	1.3+8%	1.2
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4+300%	1

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Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 6th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs 4th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	6th Gen NVENC (2x)
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	4th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)'s 300W — a 50% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 650W (GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)). Power connectors: 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 173mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)
TDP	180W-40%	300W
Recommended PSU	400W-38%	650W
Power Connector	6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	173mm	0mm
Height	111mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	—	85°C
Perf/Watt	55.9	88.5+58%