GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1060

2016Core: 1607 MHzBoost: 1733 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER

2024Core: 2295 MHzBoost: 2550 MHz

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - GPU

About G3D Mark

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 $750 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
  • Delivers 18% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 34.2 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
  • Draws 180W instead of 320W, a 140W reduction.
  • Measures 173mm instead of 304mm, a 131mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER across 37 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 16 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.

GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER

2024

Why buy it

  • 128.4% more average FPS across 37 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • 166.7% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (16 GB vs 6 GB).
  • More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • 301.2% HIGHER MSRP
    $999 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 34.2 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($999 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
  • 77.8% higher power demand at 320W vs 180W.
  • 75.7% longer card at 304mm vs 173mm.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER better than GeForce GTX 1060?
Yes. GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER averages 128.4% more FPS across 37 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 34,215 vs 10,064 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER is a 2024 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 SUPER is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2024 generation instead of 2016, 240.0% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 16 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 SUPER is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER is about 301.2% more expensive on MSRP at $999 MSRP versus $249 MSRP, and you are getting 128.4% more estimated average FPS across 37 tracked games in our benchmark data and 240.0% 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER
1080p
low117 FPS350 FPS
medium105 FPS334 FPS
high91 FPS280 FPS
ultra77 FPS221 FPS
1440p
low103 FPS326 FPS
medium87 FPS274 FPS
high76 FPS215 FPS
ultra67 FPS173 FPS
4K
low55 FPS194 FPS
medium49 FPS160 FPS
high41 FPS121 FPS
ultra37 FPS108 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER
1080p
low216 FPS851 FPS
medium181 FPS680 FPS
high148 FPS535 FPS
ultra113 FPS468 FPS
1440p
low134 FPS651 FPS
medium107 FPS536 FPS
high87 FPS439 FPS
ultra68 FPS363 FPS
4K
low62 FPS358 FPS
medium51 FPS304 FPS
high49 FPS275 FPS
ultra41 FPS236 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER
1080p
low453 FPS999 FPS
medium362 FPS999 FPS
high302 FPS999 FPS
ultra226 FPS770 FPS
1440p
low340 FPS988 FPS
medium272 FPS902 FPS
high226 FPS770 FPS
ultra170 FPS577 FPS
4K
low226 FPS580 FPS
medium181 FPS504 FPS
high151 FPS455 FPS
ultra113 FPS385 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER
1080p
low358 FPS999 FPS
medium302 FPS999 FPS
high260 FPS878 FPS
ultra226 FPS770 FPS
1440p
low299 FPS846 FPS
medium254 FPS733 FPS
high208 FPS639 FPS
ultra170 FPS550 FPS
4K
low170 FPS615 FPS
medium133 FPS543 FPS
high123 FPS479 FPS
ultra102 FPS385 FPS

Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER

The GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 8 2024. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2295 MHz to 2550 MHz. It has 10240 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 320W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 80 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 34,215 points. Launch price was $999.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER's 34,215 — the GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER leads by 240%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER uses Ada Lovelace, both on 16 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 10,240 (GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 52.22 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 2550 MHz.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER
G3D Mark Score
10,064
34,215+240%
Architecture
Pascal
Ada Lovelace
Process Node
16 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
2560
10240+300%
Compute (TFLOPS)
8.873 TFLOPS
52.22 TFLOPS+489%
Boost Clock
1733 MHz
2550 MHz+47%
ROPs
64
112+75%
TMUs
160
320+100%
L1 Cache
0.94 MB
10 MB+964%
L2 Cache
2 MB
64 MB+3100%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER 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 SUPER supports the newer DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1060 is capped at Upscaling support.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER
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 SUPER has 16 GB. The GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER offers 166.7% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 736 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER) — a 283.3% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 64 MB (GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER) — the GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER
VRAM Capacity
6 GB
16 GB+167%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth
192 GB/s
736 GB/s+283%
Bus Width
192-bit
256-bit+33%
L2 Cache
2 MB
64 MB+3100%
🖥️

Display & API Support

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

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER
DirectX
12
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.3
1.3
OpenGL
4.5
4.6+2%
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

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

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER
Encoder
NVENC (Pascal)
NVENC 8th Gen
Decoder
NVDEC (Pascal)
NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs
H.264,H.265/HEVC
AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER's 320W — a 56% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 850W (GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 16-pin (12VHPWR). Card length: 173mm vs 304mm, occupying 2 vs 3 slots.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER
TDP
180W-44%
320W
Recommended PSU
400W-53%
850W
Power Connector
6-pin
16-pin (12VHPWR)
Length
173mm
304mm
Height
111mm
137mm
Slots
2-33%
3
Temp (Load)
70
Perf/Watt
55.9
106.9+91%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER launched at $999. The GeForce GTX 1060 costs 75.1% less ($750 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 34.2 (GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 18.1% better value. The GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER is the newer GPU (2024 vs 2016).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER
MSRP
$249-75%
$999
Performance per Dollar
40.4+18%
34.2
Codename
GP104
AD103
Release
May 27 2016
January 8 2024
Ranking
#137
#8