GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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.

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

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 36.2% 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.

Insight	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce GTX 1060
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+36.2%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-36.2%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	Standard Size (267mm)	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 1060 holds the technical lead. Priced at $60 (vs $100), it costs 40% less, resulting in a 22.3% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce GTX 1060
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+22.3%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($100)	✅More affordable ($60)

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 980 Ti Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 980 Ti and GeForce GTX 1060

GeForce GTX 980 Ti

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 2 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1000 MHz to 1075 MHz. It has 2816 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 13,711 points. Launch price was $649.

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.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 980 Ti scores 13,711 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 980 Ti leads by 36.2%. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 2,816 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 6.06 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1075 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	13,711+36%	10,064
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Pascal
Process Node	28 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	2816+10%	2560
Compute (TFLOPS)	6.06 TFLOPS	8.873 TFLOPS+46%
Boost Clock	1075 MHz	1733 MHz+61%
ROPs	96+50%	64
TMUs	176+10%	160
L1 Cache	1 MB+6%	0.94 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce GTX 1060
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: 336 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 75% advantage for the GeForce GTX 980 Ti. Bus width: 384-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 980 Ti has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	6 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	336 GB/s+75%	192 GB/s
Bus Width	384-bit+100%	192-bit
L2 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	12.1	12
Vulkan	1.1	1.3+18%
OpenGL	4.5	4.5
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 3.0 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	NVENC 3.0	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti draws 250W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 32.6% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 173mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	250W	180W-28%
Recommended PSU	600W	400W-33%
Power Connector	6-pin + 8-pin	6-pin
Length	267mm	173mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	85°C	—
Perf/Watt	54.8	55.9+2%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti launched at $649 MSRP and currently averages $100, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 and now averages $60. The GeForce GTX 1060 costs 40% less ($40 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 137.1 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 22.3% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2015).