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.

GeForce GTX 980M 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 980M 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 980M SLI

2014

Why buy it

✅+24.4% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).
✅GeForce GTX 1060 is already legacy-tier future-proofing, so GeForce GTX 980M SLI is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌2014 hardware with 8 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
❌54.3% longer card at 267mm vs 173mm.

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅79.4% 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).
✅Measures 173mm instead of 267mm, a 94mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (10,064 vs 12,523).
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.

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 79.4% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce GTX 980M SLI instead at 12,523 vs 10,064, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.

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

GeForce GTX 980M SLI is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 8 GB vs 6 GB of VRAM. 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. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 1060 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and lighter 1440p headroom, GeForce GTX 980M SLI has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 980M SLI vs GeForce GTX 1060 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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%

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M 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 980M SLI has 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 carries 6 GB. GeForce GTX 980M SLI gives you 33.3% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 160 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 20% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1060. Memory bus width is 256-bit on the GeForce GTX 980M SLI and 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060.

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

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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

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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

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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.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	200W	180W-10%
Recommended PSU	500W	400W-20%
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	6-pin
Length	267mm	173mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	85°C	—
Perf/Watt	62.6+12%	55.9

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Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce GTX 1060 (2016 vs 2014).

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	GeForce GTX 1060
MSRP	—	$249
Codename	—	GP104
Release	October 7 2014	May 27 2016
Ranking	#263	#137

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