NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
Detailed gaming performance comparison
Reference CPU: Intel Core i5-13400
We compare the GTX 1080 and the RTX 2060 with real FPS across the most popular games at 1080p, 1440p and 4K, plus specs, launch price and AI upscaling support (DLSS/FSR/XeSS). See at a glance which is better for your resolution and budget.
The RTX 2060 is ~5% faster than the GTX 1080 on average at 1080p. On top of that, the RTX 2060 is 42% cheaper (launch price).
GTX 1080
- Index (1080p)
- 36/100
- VRAM
- 8 GB
- Price (MSRP)
- $599 · ≈ €551
- Upscaling
- FSR
RTX 2060
- Index (1080p)
- 38/100
- VRAM
- 6 GB
- Price (MSRP)
- $349 · ≈ €321
- Upscaling
- DLSS
Average FPS by resolution
Estimated average FPS for each graphics card across the most popular games. The gap usually shows at 1080p and 1440p; at 4K both lose smoothness and upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps.
| Resolution | GTX 1080 | RTX 2060 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 40 | 42 | +5% |
| 1440p | 30 | 31 | +3% |
| 4K | 14 | 14 | = |
Specifications
Side-by-side specs of the GTX 1080 and RTX 2060: VRAM, power draw (TDP), performance index and launch price. The better value in each row is highlighted in blue.
| Spec | GTX 1080 | RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | NVIDIA | NVIDIA |
| VRAM | 8 GB | 6 GB |
| TDP | 180W | 160W |
| Tier | High-end | Mid-range |
| Score 1080p | 36 | 38 |
| Score 1440p | 31 | 32 |
| Score 4K | 19 | 19 |
| Price (MSRP) | $599 | $349 |
Gaming Performance
Per-game FPS detail at 1080p Ultra. The graphics card that wins each title is highlighted in blue.
| Game | GTX 1080 | RTX 2060 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition | 42FPS | 44FPS | RTX 2060 |
| Grand Theft Auto VI | 32FPS | 34FPS | RTX 2060 |
| Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra | 40FPS | 43FPS | RTX 2060 |
| Marathon | 40FPS | 43FPS | RTX 2060 |
| Gears of War: E-Day | 36FPS | 38FPS | RTX 2060 |
| Onimusha: Way of the Sword | 44FPS | 46FPS | RTX 2060 |
| Phantom Blade Zero | 40FPS | 43FPS | RTX 2060 |
| 007 First Light | 40FPS | 43FPS | RTX 2060 |
| The Blood of Dawnwalker | 35FPS | 37FPS | RTX 2060 |
| Pathologic 3 | 50FPS | 53FPS | RTX 2060 |
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 wins in 10 out of 10 games
We recommend NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 as the best option for gaming.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions when comparing the GTX 1080 with the RTX 2060.
Which is better, the GTX 1080 or the RTX 2060?
On average at 1080p, the RTX 2060 is 5% faster than the GTX 1080. The best one for you depends on your resolution, budget and whether you prioritise ray tracing or price.
Which is better at 4K?
At 4K Ultra, the GTX 1080 averages 14 FPS and the RTX 2060 14 FPS across the most popular games. For smooth 4K, enabling upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps on both.
Is it worth paying more for the faster one?
At 1080p or 1440p the FPS gap may not justify the extra cost; at 4K or with ray tracing the faster card matters more. Check the by-resolution table to decide.
Which has better ray tracing and upscaling?
AI upscaling (DLSS on NVIDIA, FSR on AMD, XeSS on Intel) raises FPS on both; for ray tracing, GeForce RTX cards usually lead. See each card’s support above.
How big is the FPS difference between them?
On average across top games, the gap is around 5% at 1080p. At higher resolutions (1440p and 4K) the relative difference usually stays similar.