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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce GTX 780

2013

Why buy it

✅Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2013-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌
100.4% HIGHER MSRP
$499 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 15.9 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
❌38.9% higher power demand at 250W vs 180W.

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅34.6% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $250 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 153.5% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 15.9 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Draws 180W instead of 250W, a 70W reduction.
✅Measures 173mm instead of 267mm, a 94mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.

GeForce GTX 780

2013

GeForce GTX 1060

2016

Why buy it

✅Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Why buy it

✅34.6% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $250 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 153.5% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 40.4 vs 15.9 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Draws 180W instead of 250W, a 70W reduction.
✅Measures 173mm instead of 267mm, a 94mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1060 across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2013-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌
100.4% HIGHER MSRP
$499 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 15.9 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
❌38.9% higher power demand at 250W vs 180W.

Trade-offs

❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce GTX 1060 better than GeForce GTX 780?

Yes. GeForce GTX 1060 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 34.6% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data and 26.5% higher PassMark G3D performance. It also comes from 2016 instead of 2013, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce GTX 780 is the safer long-term GPU choice because it gives you the stronger overall hardware and feature outlook for modern games.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce GTX 1060 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce GTX 1060 is about $250 cheaper on MSRP at $249 MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and you are getting 34.6% more estimated average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data and 26.5% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 153.5%. GeForce GTX 780 is the more forward-looking alternative, so it still has a real case if you care more about future-proofing than about squeezing out the strongest gaming value today.

When does GeForce GTX 780 make more sense than GeForce GTX 1060?

Yes. GeForce GTX 780 is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It makes more sense if your priority is future-proofing and staying closer to $499 MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce GTX 1060. The trade-off is that GeForce GTX 1060 currently gives you 26.5% higher G3D Mark and 34.6% more estimated average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 153.5%.

Games Benchmarks

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 9800X3D 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 780 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060
1080p
low	78 FPS	117 FPS
medium	67 FPS	105 FPS
high	54 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	36 FPS	77 FPS
1440p
low	68 FPS	103 FPS
medium	60 FPS	87 FPS
high	43 FPS	76 FPS
ultra	27 FPS	67 FPS
4K
low	25 FPS	55 FPS
medium	24 FPS	49 FPS
high	16 FPS	41 FPS
ultra	14 FPS	37 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 780 Open GeForce GTX 1060

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060
1080p
low	181 FPS	216 FPS
medium	152 FPS	181 FPS
high	115 FPS	148 FPS
ultra	83 FPS	113 FPS
1440p
low	123 FPS	134 FPS
medium	92 FPS	107 FPS
high	68 FPS	87 FPS
ultra	48 FPS	68 FPS
4K
low	53 FPS	62 FPS
medium	42 FPS	51 FPS
high	36 FPS	49 FPS
ultra	27 FPS	41 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 780 Open GeForce GTX 1060

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060
1080p
low	358 FPS	453 FPS
medium	286 FPS	362 FPS
high	239 FPS	302 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	226 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	340 FPS
medium	215 FPS	272 FPS
high	179 FPS	226 FPS
ultra	134 FPS	170 FPS
4K
low	179 FPS	226 FPS
medium	143 FPS	181 FPS
high	119 FPS	151 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	113 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 780 Open GeForce GTX 1060

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060
1080p
low	214 FPS	358 FPS
medium	179 FPS	302 FPS
high	143 FPS	260 FPS
ultra	118 FPS	226 FPS
1440p
low	166 FPS	299 FPS
medium	141 FPS	254 FPS
high	109 FPS	208 FPS
ultra	88 FPS	170 FPS
4K
low	94 FPS	170 FPS
medium	73 FPS	133 FPS
high	58 FPS	123 FPS
ultra	44 FPS	102 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 780 Open GeForce GTX 1060

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 780 and GeForce GTX 1060

GeForce GTX 780

The GeForce GTX 780 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 23 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 863 MHz to 900 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 7,957 points. Launch price was $649.

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 780 scores 7,957 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 26.5%. The GeForce GTX 780 is built on Kepler while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce GTX 780) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 4.156 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 780) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 900 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	7,957	10,064+26%
Architecture	Kepler	Pascal
Process Node	28 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	2304	2560+11%
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.156 TFLOPS	8.873 TFLOPS+113%
Boost Clock	900 MHz	1733 MHz+93%
ROPs	48	64+33%
TMUs	192+20%	160
L1 Cache	192 KB	960 KB+400%
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	2 MB+33%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	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

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 6 GB of GDDR5. Memory bandwidth: 288 GB/s (GeForce GTX 780) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 50% advantage for the GeForce GTX 780. Bus width: 384-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 780) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	6 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	288 GB/s+50%	192 GB/s
Bus Width	384-bit+100%	192-bit
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	2 MB+33%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 780) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: 1.0 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	12 (11_0)	12
Vulkan	1.0	1.3+30%
OpenGL	4.6+2%	4.5
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 780) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: NVDEC 1st Gen vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce GTX 780) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	NVENC 1st Gen	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	NVDEC 1st Gen	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 780 draws 250W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 32.6% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce GTX 780) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 173mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 780	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	250W	180W-28%
Recommended PSU	600W	400W-33%
Power Connector	6-pin + 8-pin	6-pin
Length	267mm	173mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	80	—
Perf/Watt	31.8	55.9+76%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 780 launched at $499 MSRP, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249. The GeForce GTX 1060 costs 50.1% less ($250 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 15.9 (GeForce GTX 780) vs 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 154.1% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2013).