GeForce GTX 680M SLI vs GeForce GTX 1060

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 680M SLI vs GeForce GTX 1060 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 680M SLI vs GeForce GTX 1060: 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 680M SLI

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 75W instead of 180W, a 105W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2012 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅156.9% 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).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).
✅GeForce GTX 680M SLI is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce GTX 1060 is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌140% higher power demand at 180W vs 75W.

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 156.9% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 182% in PassMark G3D (10,064 vs 3,569), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce GTX 1060 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 6 GB vs 2 GB of VRAM, a 16nm process instead of 28nm, and a newer 2016 generation instead of 2012. 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.

GeForce GTX 680M SLI vs GeForce GTX 1060 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 680M SLI

The GeForce GTX 680M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 4 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 720 MHz. It has 2688 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,569 points.

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.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 680M SLI scores 3,569 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 182%. The GeForce GTX 680M SLI is built on Kepler while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 2,688 (GeForce GTX 680M SLI) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce GTX 680M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	3,569	10,064+182%
Architecture	Kepler	Pascal
Process Node	28 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	2688+5%	2560

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 680M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
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 680M SLI has 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 carries 6 GB. GeForce GTX 1060 gives you 200% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 256-bit on the GeForce GTX 680M SLI and 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060.

Feature	GeForce GTX 680M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	6 GB+200%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	192 GB/s
Bus Width	256-bit+33%	192-bit

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Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 680M SLI) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 680M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	12 (11_0)	12
Vulkan	1.2	1.3+8%
OpenGL	4.6+2%	4.5
Max Displays	4	4

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Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (1st Gen) (GeForce GTX 680M SLI) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: VP5 vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 (GeForce GTX 680M SLI) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce GTX 680M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	NVENC (1st Gen)	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	VP5	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4	H.264,H.265/HEVC

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 680M SLI draws 75W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 82.4% difference. The GeForce GTX 680M SLI is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 680M SLI) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 6-pin.

Feature	GeForce GTX 680M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	75W-58%	180W
Recommended PSU	350W-13%	400W
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	6-pin
Length	—	173mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	—	2
Temp (Load)	80°C	—
Perf/Watt	47.6	55.9+17%

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Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce GTX 1060 (2016 vs 2012).

Feature	GeForce GTX 680M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
MSRP	—	$249
Codename	N13E-GTX	GP104
Release	June 4 2012	May 27 2016
Ranking	#385	#137

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