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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $881 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $1,130 MSRP).
✅Delivers 84.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 22.0 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $1,130 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile across 47 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌20% higher power demand at 180W vs 150W.

GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile

2023

Why buy it

✅78.1% more average FPS across 47 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 6 GB).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 4nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 150W instead of 180W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌
353.8% HIGHER MSRP
$1,130 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 22.0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($1,130 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $881 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $1,130 MSRP).
✅Delivers 84.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 22.0 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $1,130 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅78.1% more average FPS across 47 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 6 GB).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 4nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 150W instead of 180W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile across 47 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌20% higher power demand at 180W vs 150W.

Trade-offs

❌
353.8% HIGHER MSRP
$1,130 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 22.0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($1,130 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile better than GeForce GTX 1060?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile averages 78.1% more FPS across 47 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 24,805 vs 10,064 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile is a 2023 card with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation, while GeForce GTX 1060 is a 2016 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2023 generation instead of 2016, 146.5% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 6 GB, and better upscaling support with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack and better frame-generation support with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile is about 353.8% more expensive on MSRP at $1,130 MSRP versus $249 MSRP, and you are getting 78.1% more estimated average FPS across 47 tracked games in our benchmark data and 146.5% higher G3D Mark. GeForce GTX 1060 really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.

Is GeForce GTX 1060 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

No, not for a fresh gaming build. GeForce GTX 1060 is 2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM, 10,064 in G3D Mark, and no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That is simply too far behind to be an easy modern recommendation.

Games Benchmarks

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 9800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile
1080p
low	117 FPS	174 FPS
medium	105 FPS	158 FPS
high	91 FPS	140 FPS
ultra	77 FPS	123 FPS
1440p
low	103 FPS	145 FPS
medium	87 FPS	120 FPS
high	76 FPS	104 FPS
ultra	67 FPS	93 FPS
4K
low	55 FPS	87 FPS
medium	49 FPS	73 FPS
high	41 FPS	58 FPS
ultra	37 FPS	51 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile
1080p
low	216 FPS	440 FPS
medium	181 FPS	379 FPS
high	148 FPS	306 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	270 FPS
1440p
low	134 FPS	333 FPS
medium	107 FPS	275 FPS
high	87 FPS	223 FPS
ultra	68 FPS	188 FPS
4K
low	62 FPS	182 FPS
medium	51 FPS	152 FPS
high	49 FPS	128 FPS
ultra	41 FPS	106 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile
1080p
low	453 FPS	999 FPS
medium	362 FPS	893 FPS
high	302 FPS	744 FPS
ultra	226 FPS	558 FPS
1440p
low	340 FPS	837 FPS
medium	272 FPS	670 FPS
high	226 FPS	558 FPS
ultra	170 FPS	419 FPS
4K
low	226 FPS	552 FPS
medium	181 FPS	446 FPS
high	151 FPS	372 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	279 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile
1080p
low	358 FPS	544 FPS
medium	302 FPS	477 FPS
high	260 FPS	408 FPS
ultra	226 FPS	336 FPS
1440p
low	299 FPS	435 FPS
medium	254 FPS	385 FPS
high	208 FPS	326 FPS
ultra	170 FPS	261 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	276 FPS
medium	133 FPS	249 FPS
high	123 FPS	220 FPS
ultra	102 FPS	184 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 Open GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 and GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile

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 4080 Mobile

The GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 3 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1290 MHz to 2010 MHz. It has 7424 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 4 nm process technology. It features 58 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 24,805 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile's 24,805 — the GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile leads by 146.5%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile uses Ada Lovelace, both on 16 nm vs 4 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 7,424 (GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 24.72 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 2010 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile
G3D Mark Score	10,064	24,805+146%
Architecture	Pascal	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	16 nm	4 nm
Shading Units	2560	7424+190%
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS	24.72 TFLOPS+179%
Boost Clock	1733 MHz	2010 MHz+16%
ROPs	64	80+25%
TMUs	160	232+45%
L1 Cache	0.94 MB	7.3 MB+677%
L2 Cache	2 MB	48 MB+2300%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce GTX 1060 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile supports the newer DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1060 is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction	No	Yes (DLSS 3.5)
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 432 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile) — a 125% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile. Bus width: 192-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 48 MB (GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile) — the GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	12 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	432 GB/s+125%
Bus Width	192-bit	192-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	48 MB+2300%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 1.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile
DirectX	12	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4+300%	1

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 8th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	8th Gen NVENC
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile's 150W — a 18.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile). Power connectors: 6-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 173mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile
TDP	180W	150W-17%
Recommended PSU	400W-38%	650W
Power Connector	6-pin	Mobile
Length	173mm	0mm
Height	111mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	—	80°C
Perf/Watt	55.9	165.4+196%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile launched at $1130. The GeForce GTX 1060 costs 78% less ($881 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 22.0 (GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 83.6% better value. The GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2016).