GeForce GTX 980M 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. The GeForce GTX 980M is positioned at rank #53 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Balanced cost-benefit for your build. 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

#19

Radeon RX 5600

MSRP: $229|Avg: $150

91%

#43

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

192%

#45

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

174%

#46

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

174%

#50

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

158%

#51

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

157%

#53

GeForce GTX 980M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $80

100%

#54

GeForce GTX 770M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $40

98%

#57

GeForce 770M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $40

96%

#62

Radeon 820M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $25

95%

#65

GeForce GTX 1650 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

93%

#66

GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

93%

#68

GeForce GTX 850M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $40

90%

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 1060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 36.9% higher G3D Mark score and 50% more VRAM (6 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 980M.

Insight	GeForce GTX 980M	GeForce GTX 1060
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-36.9%)	✅Leading raw performance (+36.9%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+50%)
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	—	📏 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 $80), it costs 25% less, resulting in a 82.5% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 980M	GeForce GTX 1060
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+82.5%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($80)	✅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 980M Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 980M

The GeForce GTX 980M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 7 2014. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1038 MHz to 1127 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 7,353 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 scores 7,353 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 36.9%. The GeForce GTX 980M is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 1,536 (GeForce GTX 980M) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 1.659 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980M) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1127 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	7,353	10,064+37%
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Pascal
Process Node	28 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	1536	2560+67%
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.659 TFLOPS	8.873 TFLOPS+435%
Boost Clock	1127 MHz	1733 MHz+54%
ROPs	64	64
TMUs	96	160+67%
L1 Cache	576 KB	960 KB+67%
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M	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 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB. The GeForce GTX 1060 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 160 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980M) 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	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	6 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	160 GB/s	192 GB/s+20%
Bus Width	256-bit+33%	192-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980M) 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 980M	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 2.0 (GeForce GTX 980M) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264 (GeForce GTX 980M) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	NVENC 2.0	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 980M draws 100W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 57.1% difference. The GeForce GTX 980M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 980M) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 173mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	100W-44%	180W
Recommended PSU	350W-13%	400W
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	6-pin
Length	0mm	173mm
Height	0mm	111mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Perf/Watt	73.5+31%	55.9

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1060 costs 25% less ($20 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 91.9 (GeForce GTX 980M) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 82.5% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2014).