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 RTX 2080 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 RTX 2080: 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

✅Costs $450 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅Delivers 51.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 26.7 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅Draws 180W instead of 215W, a 35W reduction.
✅Measures 173mm instead of 267mm, a 94mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 2080 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.

GeForce RTX 2080

2018

Why buy it

✅42.9% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅31.8% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Turing (2018−2022) on 12nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌
180.7% HIGHER MSRP
$699 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 26.7 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($699 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
❌19.4% higher power demand at 215W vs 180W.
❌54.3% longer card at 267mm vs 173mm.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 2080 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 42.9% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 85.6% in PassMark G3D (18,676 vs 10,064), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 2080 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 8 GB vs 6 GB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 12nm process instead of 16nm, and 46 vs 0 ray-tracing units. 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 to buy today. It is $450 cheaper on MSRP at $249 vs $699, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 51.3% (40.4 vs 26.7), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 1060 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and lighter 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 2080 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce RTX 2080 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 RTX 2080

The GeForce RTX 2080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 20 2018. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1515 MHz to 1710 MHz. It has 2944 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 215W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 18,676 points. Launch price was $699.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the GeForce RTX 2080's 18,676 — the GeForce RTX 2080 leads by 85.6%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 2080 uses Turing, both on 16 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 2,944 (GeForce RTX 2080). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 10.07 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2080). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1710 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 2080
G3D Mark Score	10,064	18,676+86%
Architecture	Pascal	Turing
Process Node	16 nm	12 nm
Shading Units	2560	2944+15%
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS	10.07 TFLOPS+13%
Boost Clock	1733 MHz+1%	1710 MHz
ROPs	64	64
TMUs	160	184+15%
L1 Cache	0.94 MB	2.9 MB+209%
L2 Cache	2 MB	4 MB+100%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 2080 supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1060 is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 2080
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 2080 carries 8 GB. GeForce RTX 2080 gives you 31.8% 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 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2080) — a 133.3% advantage for the GeForce RTX 2080. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060 and 256-bit on the GeForce RTX 2080. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 2080) — the GeForce RTX 2080 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 2080
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	7.906 GB+32%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	448 GB/s+133%
Bus Width	192-bit	256-bit+33%
L2 Cache	2 MB	4 MB+100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12.1 (GeForce RTX 2080). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 2080
DirectX	12	12.1
Vulkan	1.3+8%	1.2
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 6th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 2080). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs 4th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce RTX 2080).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 2080
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	6th Gen NVENC
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	4th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the GeForce RTX 2080's 215W — a 17.7% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 2080). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 173mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 2080
TDP	180W-16%	215W
Recommended PSU	400W-38%	650W
Power Connector	6-pin	6-pin + 8-pin
Length	173mm	267mm
Height	111mm	116mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	—	80°C
Perf/Watt	55.9	86.9+55%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1060 came in at $249, while the GeForce RTX 2080 launched at $699. On MSRP, GeForce GTX 1060 was 64.4% cheaper ($450 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 26.7 (GeForce RTX 2080) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 51.3% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 2080 (2018 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 2080
MSRP	$249-64%	$699
Performance per Dollar	40.4+51%	26.7
Codename	GP104	TU104
Release	May 27 2016	September 20 2018
Ranking	#137	#94

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