GeForce GTX 980 vs GeForce GTX 1060 6GB

Speed and memory

In our performance index the GeForce GTX 980 scores 11 and the GeForce GTX 1060 6GB scores 9.5, which makes the GeForce GTX 980 about 16% faster. That is a visible but modest gap, usually 5 to 10 fps in a game that runs at 60.

The GeForce GTX 980 has 4 GB of video memory and the GeForce GTX 1060 6GB has 6 GB. That difference matters at 1440p and in new games at High textures, and it can outweigh a small speed advantage as the card ages.

In our estimates for popular games at 1080p on High, the biggest gap is in Call of Duty (21 against 26 fps), and the smallest is in Red Dead Redemption 2 (40 against 36 fps). Games that are light enough to run above 200 fps on both cards show little difference at all.

Power and value

The GeForce GTX 980 is rated at 165 W and the GeForce GTX 1060 6GB at 120 W. With a mid-range processor that means a power supply of about 550 W for the first and 450 W for the second. The power draw is close enough that cooling and noise will be similar.

At launch the GeForce GTX 980 cost $549 and the GeForce GTX 1060 6GB $249. Per dollar, the GeForce GTX 1060 6GB gave more performance (3.8 points per $100 against 2.0). Current prices differ, so run the same sum on what you can actually buy today.

Which one to buy

Choose the GeForce GTX 980 if you want the faster card, and you can accept 4 GB of memory. It makes the most sense at 1440p and above, or on a monitor with a high refresh rate.

Choose the GeForce GTX 1060 6GB if the price gap matters more than the 16% speed difference, and you value the extra video memory. Whichever you pick, check reviews for the games you play, because two cards with similar scores can differ in individual titles.