NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti Comparison

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti represent two distinct eras of GPU design. The data shows a single direct head-to-head benchmark, and the results are stark. The GTX 1080 is in an entirely different performance class, but the GTX 560 Ti's legacy is still worth examining on its own terms.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only common benchmark between the two cards is Geekbench OpenCL, and the results are decisive. The GTX 1080 scores 51,204, while the GTX 560 Ti manages 10,690. This translates to a delta of 379%, meaning the GTX 1080 is nearly four times faster in this compute test. This is not a marginal generational improvement; it is a wholesale leap in processing capability that reflects the massive shifts in architecture and specifications between 2011 and 2016.

The GTX 1080's victory in this single test is not surprising given its broader benchmark profile. Its average benchmark score across all tests is 11,960, while the GTX 560 Ti's average sits at 10,690. However, the GTX 1080's average is pulled down by its poor scores in older DirectX tests, like its 93 in Passmark DirectX 10 and 55 in Passmark DirectX 12. In contrast, the GTX 560 Ti only has the one OpenCL result, so its average is purely a reflection of that single compute workload.

When looking at the GTX 1080's other scores, its 15,586 in Passmark G3D and 7,614 in Passmark GPU Compute show strong modern performance. The GTX 1080 also achieves 23,824 in Geekbench Metal and 30,398 in Geekbench Vulkan, highlighting its capability in contemporary graphics APIs. The GTX 560 Ti has no comparable data for these modern tests, making a full performance picture impossible. The 379% lead in OpenCL, however, is a clear indicator that for any compute-heavy task, the GTX 1080 will be overwhelmingly faster.

The data implies that the GTX 560 Ti's architecture is simply not equipped to handle the workloads the GTX 1080 was designed for. The 379% delta is not just a number; it represents a fundamental shift in what a GPU can accomplish.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the GTX 1080 than the GTX 560 Ti in the shared Geekbench OpenCL test?

A: The GTX 1080 scores 51,204, which is 379% higher than the GTX 560 Ti's score of 10,690.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each card?

A: The GTX 1080 has an average benchmark score of 11,960, while the GTX 560 Ti has an average of 10,690.

Q: Which card has a higher percentile ranking among all GPUs?

A: The GTX 1080 ranks in the 51st percentile, while the GTX 560 Ti ranks in the 49th percentile.

Q: Does the GTX 560 Ti support Vulkan?

A: No, the GTX 560 Ti's API list does not include Vulkan, whereas the GTX 1080 supports Vulkan 1.4.

Q: What is the difference in their DirectX support?

A: The GTX 1080 supports DirectX 12 (12_1), while the GTX 560 Ti supports DirectX 12 (11_0), indicating a lower feature level.

Q: What are the launch MSRPs of the two cards?

A: The GTX 1080 had a launch MSRP of 599 USD, and the GTX 560 Ti had a launch MSRP of 249 USD.

Where Each One Wins

The GTX 1080 wins the only direct comparison, but the data reveals a broader story. The GTX 1080 is the clear choice for any modern workload. Its 8 GB of GDDR5X memory and 320.3 GB/s of bandwidth provide a massive advantage over the GTX 560 Ti's 1024 MB of GDDR5 with 128.3 GB/s. This makes the GTX 1080 suitable for high-resolution gaming and complex compute tasks that require large memory pools. Its support for Vulkan 1.4 and DirectX 12 (12_1) means it can take advantage of modern rendering techniques and APIs.

The GTX 560 Ti, with its 1,263.4 GFLOPS of FP32 performance, is a product of its time. It has no wins in the head-to-head data, but its single OpenCL score of 10,690 suggests it can still handle basic compute workloads. Its 13.17 GPixel/s pixel rate and 52.67 GTexel/s texture rate are a fraction of the GTX 1080's 110.9 GPixel/s and 277.3 GTexel/s, making it unsuitable for modern gaming at high settings. The GTX 560 Ti is best relegated to legacy applications or systems where its 170 W TDP and 229 mm length are more acceptable constraints.

The GTX 1080's 2560 shading units and 160 TMUs dwarf the GTX 560 Ti's 384 shading units and 64 TMUs. This raw compute power translates to its 8.873 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, versus the GTX 560 Ti's 1,263.4 GFLOPS. For any task that leverages parallel processing, the GTX 1080 is the only viable option. The GTX 560 Ti simply lacks the resources to compete in any modern scenario that the data can measure.

Specification Differences

The specifications highlight the generational gap. The GTX 1080 is built on a 16 nm process, while the GTX 560 Ti uses a 40 nm process. This allows the GTX 1080 to pack 7,200 million transistors into a smaller 314 mm² die, for a density of 22.9M / mm². The GTX 560 Ti has 1,950 million transistors on a larger 332 mm² die, resulting in a density of only 5.9M / mm².

Memory is another major divider. The GTX 1080 offers 8 GB of GDDR5X with a 256-bit bus and 320.3 GB/s of bandwidth. The GTX 560 Ti has 1 GB of GDDR5, also with a 256-bit bus, but only achieves 128.3 GB/s of bandwidth. The memory clock is also different, with the GTX 1080 running at 1251 MHz (10 Gbps effective) and the GTX 560 Ti at 1002 MHz (4 Gbps effective).

Other key differences include the bus interface, with the GTX 1080 using PCIe 3.0 x16 and the GTX 560 Ti using PCIe 2.0 x16. The power connectors are also different: the GTX 1080 requires a single 8-pin connector, while the GTX 560 Ti needs two 6-pin connectors. The GTX 1080 is longer at 267 mm compared to the GTX 560 Ti's 229 mm. Display outputs also differ, with the GTX 1080 offering 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0, and 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, while the GTX 560 Ti has 2x DVI and 1x mini-HDMI 1.3a.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is fundamental. The GTX 1080 uses the Pascal architecture with the GP104 chip, while the GTX 560 Ti uses the Fermi 2.0 architecture with the GF114 chip. Pascal is a 16 nm design, and Fermi 2.0 is a 40 nm design. This node difference is the primary driver of the performance and efficiency gap.

The GTX 1080 has 2560 shading units, 160 TMUs, and 64 ROPs. The GTX 560 Ti has 384 shading units, 64 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. This means the GTX 1080 has significantly more parallel processing power. The GTX 1080 also supports FP16 compute at 138.6 GFLOPS (1:64), while the GTX 560 Ti has no listed FP16 capability.

In terms of APIs, the GTX 1080 supports DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The GTX 560 Ti supports DirectX 12 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.6, but has no Vulkan support. This means the GTX 1080 is ready for modern cross-platform graphics, while the GTX 560 Ti is limited to older or less feature-rich APIs. The GTX 1080's pixel rate of 110.9 GPixel/s and texture rate of 277.3 GTexel/s are vastly superior to the GTX 560 Ti's 13.17 GPixel/s and 52.67 GTexel/s, confirming the architectural advantage.

The Verdict

The data unequivocally points to the GTX 1080 as the superior card. Its 379% lead in the only shared benchmark, the Geekbench OpenCL test, is a decisive indicator of its dominance. The GTX 1080's modern architecture, larger memory pool, and support for current APIs make it the only choice for anyone looking to run contemporary applications or games. Its 51st percentile ranking, while not top-tier, places it well ahead of the GTX 560 Ti's 49th percentile.

The GTX 560 Ti, with its 49th percentile ranking and single benchmark score, is a historical artifact. It is a card from the GeForce 500 generation, and its specifications reflect the limits of 2011 technology. With only 1 GB of memory and no Vulkan support, it cannot handle modern workloads. Its 170 W TDP is also notable, as it achieves far less performance than the GTX 1080 while using nearly as much power.

For a user building a new system or upgrading from an older card, the GTX 1080 is the clear winner. Its performance in compute and modern graphics APIs, as shown by its various benchmark scores, is in a different league. The GTX 560 Ti should only be considered for a legacy system or a very specific, non-demanding task where its older interface and smaller footprint are acceptable. The data is unambiguous: the GTX 1080 is the modern performer, and the GTX 560 Ti is a relic of a previous computing era.