GeForce GTX 780 vs GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

#6

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

111%

#8

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

100%

#9

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

100%

#13

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

91%

#14

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

90%

#18

Radeon RX 560X (móvel)

MSRP: $55|Avg: $55

89%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 780 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.3% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design.

Insight	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+1.3%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.3%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / Kepler (2012−2018))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	Standard Size (267mm)	—

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 780 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 780 holds the technical lead. Priced at $35 (vs $100), it costs 65% less, resulting in a 189.5% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+189.5%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($35)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($100)

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.

GeForce GTX 780 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 780 and GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

GeForce GTX 780

The GeForce GTX 780 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 23 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 863 MHz to 900 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 7,957 points. Launch price was $649.

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

The GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 27 2017. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1063 MHz to 1480 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 80W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 7,853 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 780 scores 7,957 and the GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design reaches 7,853 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 780 is built on Kepler while the GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce GTX 780) vs 1,280 (GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design). Raw compute: 4.156 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 780) vs 3.789 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design). Boost clocks: 900 MHz vs 1480 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design
G3D Mark Score	7,957+1%	7,853
Architecture	Kepler	Pascal
Process Node	28 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	2304+80%	1280
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.156 TFLOPS+10%	3.789 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	900 MHz	1480 MHz+64%
ROPs	48	48
TMUs	192+140%	80
L1 Cache	192 KB	480 KB+150%
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	1.5 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 6 GB of GDDR5. Memory bandwidth: 288 GB/s (GeForce GTX 780) vs 128 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design) — a 125% advantage for the GeForce GTX 780. Bus width: 384-bit vs 128-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	6 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	288 GB/s+125%	128 GB/s
Bus Width	384-bit+200%	128-bit
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	1.5 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 780) vs 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design). Vulkan: 1.0 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design
DirectX	12 (11_0)	12.1
Vulkan	1.0	1.3+30%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 780) vs NVENC 6.0 (GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design). Decoder: NVDEC 1st Gen vs PureVideo HD VP8. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce GTX 780) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design).

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design
Encoder	NVENC 1st Gen	NVENC 6.0
Decoder	NVDEC 1st Gen	PureVideo HD VP8
Codecs	H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 780 draws 250W versus the GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design's 80W — a 103% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce GTX 780) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 267mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design
TDP	250W	80W-68%
Recommended PSU	600W	350W-42%
Power Connector	6-pin + 8-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	267mm	0mm
Height	111mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	80	—
Perf/Watt	31.8	98.2+209%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 780 costs 65% less ($65 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 227.3 (GeForce GTX 780) vs 78.5 (GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design) — the GeForce GTX 780 offers 189.6% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2013).