GeForce GTX 980M 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.

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 GeForce GTX 980M SLI

#22

Radeon RX 7700

MSRP: $449|Avg: $399

138%

#25

Radeon RX 7600M XT

MSRP: $329|Avg: $300

125%

#28

Radeon RX 6650M XT

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

119%

#30

Radeon 8050S

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

114%

#31

Radeon RX 8050S

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

113%

#37

GeForce GTX 980M SLI

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#39

Radeon RX 7700S

MSRP: $449|Avg: $350

97%

#42

Radeon RX 6600S

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

91%

#43

Radeon RX 8060S

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

89%

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 980M SLI is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 24.4% higher G3D Mark score and 33.3% more VRAM (8 GB vs 6 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1060.

Insight	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+24.4%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-24.4%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell (2014−2017))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+33.3%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	Standard Size (267mm)	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce GTX 980M SLI remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.

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 980M SLI Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 980M SLI and GeForce GTX 1060

GeForce GTX 980M SLI

The GeForce GTX 980M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 7 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1038 MHz to 1127 MHz. It has 3072 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,523 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.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 980M SLI scores 12,523 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 980M SLI leads by 24.4%. The GeForce GTX 980M SLI is built on Maxwell while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 3,072 (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1127 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	12,523+24%	10,064
Architecture	Maxwell	Pascal
Process Node	28 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	3072+20%	2560
Boost Clock	1127 MHz	1733 MHz+54%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	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)

The GeForce GTX 980M SLI comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB. The GeForce GTX 980M SLI offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 160 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 20% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1060. Bus width: 256-bit vs 192-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	8 GB+33%	6 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	160 GB/s	192 GB/s+20%
Bus Width	256-bit+33%	192-bit

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.4 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	12.1	12
Vulkan	1.1	1.3+18%
OpenGL	4.4	4.5+2%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 4.0 (2x) (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 (2x) vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	NVENC 4.0 (2x)	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6 (2x)	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 980M SLI draws 200W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 10.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 173mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.