GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce RTX 2060 12GB
GeForce GTX 1080
Popular choices:
GeForce RTX 2060 12GB
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 2060 12GB
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 1080 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.1% higher G3D Mark score and 50% more VRAM (12 GB vs 8 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1080.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.1%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021)) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Turing (2018−2022) / 12nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 1080 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $91 versus $120 for the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB, it costs 24% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 29.2% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+29.2%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($91) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($120) |
Performance Check
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 7800X3D 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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1080 and GeForce RTX 2060 12GB
GeForce GTX 1080
The GeForce GTX 1080 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: 15,609 points. Launch price was $599.
GeForce RTX 2060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 7 2021. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1470 MHz to 1650 MHz. It has 2176 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 184W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 34 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 15,935 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 1080 scores 15,609 and the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB reaches 15,935 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1080 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB uses Turing, both on 16 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 2,176 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 7.181 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1650 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 15,609 | 15,935+2% |
| Architecture | Pascal | Turing |
| Process Node | 16 nm | 12 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560+18% | 2176 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 8.873 TFLOPS+24% | 7.181 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1733 MHz+5% | 1650 MHz |
| ROPs | 64+33% | 48 |
| TMUs | 160+18% | 136 |
| L1 Cache | 0.94 MB | 2.1 MB+123% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 3 MB+50% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 1080 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 320 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) — a 5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB. Bus width: 256-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) — the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 12 GB+50% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5X | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 320 GB/s | 336 GB/s+5% |
| Bus Width | 256-bit+33% | 192-bit |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 3 MB+50% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 12.1 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.1 | 12.1 |
| Vulkan | 1.4+8% | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 6th gen (GeForce GTX 1080) vs NVENC 6.0 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB). Decoder: NVDEC 3rd gen vs PureVideo HD VP9. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce GTX 1080) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 6th gen | NVENC 6.0 |
| Decoder | NVDEC 3rd gen | PureVideo HD VP9 |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9,MPEG-2,VC-1 | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 1080 draws 180W versus the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB's 184W — a 2.2% difference. The GeForce GTX 1080 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 229mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 88°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 180W-2% | 184W |
| Recommended PSU | 500W-9% | 550W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 267mm | 229mm |
| Height | 111mm | 113mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C-15% | 88°C |
| Perf/Watt | 86.7 | 86.6 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 1080 launched at $599 MSRP and currently averages $91, while the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB launched at $470 and now averages $120. The GeForce GTX 1080 costs 24.2% less ($29 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 171.5 (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 132.8 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) — the GeForce GTX 1080 offers 29.1% better value. The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2016).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $599 | $470-22% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $91-24% | $120 |
| Performance per Dollar | 171.5+29% | 132.8 |
| Codename | GP104 | TU106 |
| Release | May 27 2016 | December 7 2021 |
| Ranking | #137 | #133 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar GPU comparisons based on GeForce GTX 1080 and GeForce RTX 2060 12GB
