GeForce RTX 3080 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 RTX 3080

#32

Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB

MSRP: $349|Avg: $349

114%

#33

Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB

MSRP: $349|Avg: $349

112%

#34

Radeon RX 5300

MSRP: $129|Avg: $50

110%

#35

GeForce GTX 1650 Ti

MSRP: $150|Avg: $77

109%

#36

Radeon RX 6400

MSRP: $159|Avg: $139

109%

#37

GeForce RTX 3070 Ti

MSRP: $599|Avg: $330

108%

#38

Arc A750

MSRP: $289|Avg: $229

107%

#39

Radeon RX 6800

MSRP: $579|Avg: $370

106%

#40

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB

MSRP: $329|Avg: $280

106%

#41

Radeon RX 6750 XT

MSRP: $549|Avg: $320

105%

#42

GeForce RTX 4070 Ti

MSRP: $799|Avg: $590

104%

#43

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB

MSRP: $429|Avg: $429

104%

#44

GeForce RTX 5070

MSRP: $549|Avg: $550

102%

#45

Radeon RX 7600 XT

MSRP: $329|Avg: $330

102%

#46

GeForce RTX 2050

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

100%

#47

GeForce RTX 3080

MSRP: $699|Avg: $400

100%

#48

GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB

MSRP: $499|Avg: $449

99%

#49

Radeon RX 7900 GRE

MSRP: $549|Avg: $540

98%

#50

GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER

MSRP: $599|Avg: $600

97%

#51

Radeon RX 7800 XT

MSRP: $499|Avg: $490

97%

#52

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

MSRP: $329|Avg: $340

96%

#53

GeForce RTX 4070

MSRP: $599|Avg: $550

96%

#54

Radeon RX 7650 GRE

MSRP: $279|Avg: $380

95%

#55

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB

MSRP: $470|Avg: $120

95%

#56

Arc A770

MSRP: $349|Avg: $280

93%

#57

Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12GB

MSRP: $289|Avg: $423

93%

#58

Arc A380

MSRP: $149|Avg: $119

91%

#59

Radeon RX 9070

MSRP: $549|Avg: $550

90%

#60

Radeon RX 7900 XT

MSRP: $899|Avg: $630

90%

#61

GeForce RTX 4080

MSRP: $1199|Avg: $800

80%

#62

Arc A310

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

78%

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

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce RTX 3080 uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce RTX 3080 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce RTX 3080 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 149.1% higher G3D Mark score and 66.7% more VRAM (10 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 RTX 3080	GeForce GTX 1060
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+149.1%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-149.1%)
Longevity	🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm)	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	🎮 High Capacity (10 GB)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	Standard Size (285mm)	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $60 versus $400 for the GeForce RTX 3080, it costs 85% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 167.6% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce GTX 1060
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+167.6%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($400)	✅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 RTX 3080 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

No prediction data available

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

No prediction data available

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

No prediction data available

League of Legends

No prediction data available

Valorant

No prediction data available

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3080 and GeForce GTX 1060

GeForce RTX 3080

The GeForce RTX 3080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1440 MHz to 1710 MHz. It has 8704 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 320W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 68 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 25,071 points. Launch price was $699.

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 RTX 3080 scores 25,071 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce RTX 3080 leads by 149.1%. The GeForce RTX 3080 is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 8 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 8,704 (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 29.77 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	25,071+149%	10,064
Architecture	Ampere	Pascal
Process Node	8 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	8704+240%	2560
Compute (TFLOPS)	29.77 TFLOPS+236%	8.873 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1710 MHz	1733 MHz+1%
ROPs	96+50%	64
TMUs	272+70%	160
L1 Cache	8.5 MB+804%	0.94 MB
L2 Cache	5 MB+150%	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3080 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The GeForce GTX 1060 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce GTX 1060
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2.0	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible)	FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3080 comes with 10 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB. The GeForce RTX 3080 offers 66.7% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 760 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 295.8% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3080. Bus width: 320-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 5 MB (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce RTX 3080 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	10 GB+67%	6 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	760 GB/s+296%	192 GB/s
Bus Width	320-bit+67%	192-bit
L2 Cache	5 MB+150%	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	12 Ultimate (12_2)	12
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6+2%	4.5
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3080) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: NVDEC (Ampere) vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3080) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	NVENC (Ampere)	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	NVDEC (Ampere)	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3080 draws 320W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 56% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 285mm vs 173mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	320W	180W-44%
Recommended PSU	750W	400W-47%
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	6-pin
Length	285mm	173mm
Height	112mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75	—
Perf/Watt	78.3+40%	55.9

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3080 launched at $699 MSRP and currently averages $400, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 and now averages $60. The GeForce GTX 1060 costs 85% less ($340 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 62.7 (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 167.5% better value. The GeForce RTX 3080 is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2016).