NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M Comparison

# The Verdict

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M is the clear winner in this comparison, outperforming the GTX 560 Ti in the only shared benchmark by 19.4%. The GTX 780M scores 12,769 in Geekbench OpenCL, while the GTX 560 Ti manages 10,690 — a decisive margin that aligns with the architectural generation gap between them.

For users choosing between these two end-of-life GPUs, the GTX 780M is the superior option for compute workloads and modern application support. It delivers 2.448 TFLOPS of FP32 performance versus 1,263.4 GFLOPS for the GTX 560 Ti, more than double the raw compute throughput. The GTX 780M also offers 4 GB of GDDR5 memory compared to 1024 MB on the GTX 560 Ti, which matters for texture-heavy workloads and larger datasets.

However, the GTX 560 Ti retains relevance in specific scenarios. It is a dual-slot desktop card with a 229 mm length and PCIe 2.0 x16 interface, making it suitable for older desktop systems. The GTX 780M, by contrast, is an MXM module with portable-device-dependent display outputs, meaning it is not a drop-in desktop solution. The GTX 560 Ti also has a lower transistor count (1,950 million versus 3,540 million) and a larger die (332 mm² versus 294 mm²), which reflects its older 40 nm process node.

The data indicates the GTX 780M is the pick for anyone needing maximum compute performance and memory capacity in a mobile or compact form factor. The GTX 560 Ti is the choice only for those with a desktop system that specifically requires a dual-slot PCIe card and can tolerate its higher 170 W TDP. Neither GPU supports modern ray tracing or tensor cores, and both are end-of-life products, so expectations for driver optimisation should be tempered.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M has an average benchmark score of 11,261, while the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti has 10,690. This places the GTX 780M at the 50th percentile of all GPUs and the GTX 560 Ti at the 49th percentile.

Q: How much faster is the GTX 780M in OpenCL performance?

A: The GTX 780M scores 12,769 in Geekbench OpenCL, which is 19.4% higher than the GTX 560 Ti's 10,690. This is the only benchmark where both GPUs have recorded scores.

Q: What are the memory specifications of each card?

A: The GTX 780M has 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus with 160.0 GB/s bandwidth. The GTX 560 Ti has 1024 MB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus with 128.3 GB/s bandwidth. The GTX 780M also runs its memory at 5 Gbps effective versus 4 Gbps effective on the GTX 560 Ti.

Q: Do both GPUs support the same APIs?

A: Both support DirectX 12 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.6. The GTX 780M additionally supports Vulkan 1.2.175, while the GTX 560 Ti has no Vulkan support listed.

Q: Which card has a higher power consumption?

A: The GTX 560 Ti has a 170 W TDP with 2x 6-pin power connectors and a suggested 450 W power supply. The GTX 780M has a 122 W TDP and requires no power connectors, as it is an MXM module.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each GPU based on average score?

A: The GTX 780M's nearest rival is the AMD Radeon Pro WX 3200 at 11,228 (0.3% higher). The GTX 560 Ti's nearest rival is the NVIDIA Quadro K2200 at 10,761 (-0.7% relative to the GTX 560 Ti).

Architecture Differences

The GTX 780M is built on the GK104 chip using the Kepler architecture, fabricated on a 28 nm process node at TSMC. It packs 3,540 million transistors into a 294 mm² die, achieving a transistor density of 12.0M per mm². This newer architecture allows for 1,536 shading units, 128 texture mapping units, and 32 ROPs, with a pixel rate of 25.50 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 102.0 GTexel/s.

The GTX 560 Ti uses the GF114 chip with the Fermi 2.0 architecture, also fabricated by TSMC but on a larger 40 nm process node. It contains 1,950 million transistors on a 332 mm² die, resulting in a lower transistor density of 5.9M per mm². The Fermi 2.0 design provides 384 shading units, 64 TMUs, and 32 ROPs, with a pixel rate of 13.17 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 52.67 GTexel/s.

The Kepler architecture in the GTX 780M is fundamentally more efficient per transistor, as evidenced by the nearly doubled FP32 throughput (2.448 TFLOPS versus 1,263.4 GFLOPS) despite a lower TDP (122 W versus 170 W). The GTX 780M also supports Vulkan 1.2.175, which the GTX 560 Ti lacks entirely. Both GPUs lack RT cores and tensor cores, so neither supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing or AI workloads.

The GTX 780M's clock strategy involves a base clock of 771 MHz with a boost up to 797 MHz, while the GTX 560 Ti has no listed base or boost clocks. This suggests the GTX 780M relies on dynamic clocking to manage thermals within its MXM form factor, whereas the GTX 560 Ti likely operates at fixed clocks typical of Fermi-era desktop cards.

Specification Differences

The two GPUs differ across nearly every major specification category. The GTX 780M has a 28 nm process node versus 40 nm on the GTX 560 Ti, and a transistor count of 3,540 million versus 1,950 million. The die size also differs, with the GTX 780M at 294 mm² and the GTX 560 Ti at 332 mm².

Memory capacity is a significant differentiator: the GTX 780M offers 4 GB of GDDR5, while the GTX 560 Ti has 1024 MB. Both use a 256-bit bus, but the GTX 780M achieves 160.0 GB/s bandwidth versus 128.3 GB/s on the GTX 560 Ti. The memory clock is also higher on the GTX 780M at 5 Gbps effective versus 4 Gbps effective.

Compute resources differ substantially: 1,536 shading units versus 384, 128 TMUs versus 64, and 32 ROPs on both. The GTX 780M delivers a pixel rate of 25.50 GPixel/s versus 13.17 GPixel/s, and a texture rate of 102.0 GTexel/s versus 52.67 GTexel/s. FP32 performance is 2.448 TFLOPS versus 1,263.4 GFLOPS.

Power and form factor also differ: the GTX 780M has a 122 W TDP, is an MXM Module with no power connectors and a portable-device-dependent display output. The GTX 560 Ti has a 170 W TDP, is dual-slot with 2x 6-pin power connectors, a suggested 450 W power supply, PCIe 2.0 x16 interface, and 2x DVI plus 1x mini-HDMI 1.3a outputs. The GTX 560 Ti is 229 mm (9 inches) long.

API support differs in Vulkan: the GTX 780M supports Vulkan 1.2.175, while the GTX 560 Ti lists no Vulkan version. Both support DirectX 12 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.6. The GTX 780M has no launch MSRP listed, while the GTX 560 Ti launched at 249 USD.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only direct benchmark comparison available is Geekbench OpenCL, where the GTX 780M scores 12,769 against the GTX 560 Ti's 10,690. This represents a 19.4% advantage for the GTX 780M, which is a substantial margin in compute workloads. This single result drives the GTX 780M's wins count to 1, while the GTX 560 Ti has 0 wins.

The GTX 780M also has additional benchmark results that the GTX 560 Ti lacks: 8,319 in Geekbench Metal and 12,696 in Geekbench Vulkan. These scores indicate the GTX 780M performs consistently across different compute APIs, with Vulkan performance nearly matching OpenCL. The GTX 560 Ti has no Metal or Vulkan results, which is consistent with its lack of Vulkan API support.

In terms of percentile ranking, the GTX 780M sits at the 50th percentile of all GPUs, while the GTX 560 Ti is at the 49th percentile. This narrow gap in overall percentile masks the significant 19.4% delta in the shared benchmark, suggesting that the GTX 780M benefits from its additional benchmark results in different APIs. The GTX 780M's average benchmark score of 11,261 is 5.3% higher than the GTX 560 Ti's 10,690.

The nearest rival data reinforces the GTX 780M's position: its closest competitor, the AMD Radeon Pro WX 3200, scores 11,228 — only 0.3% away. For the GTX 560 Ti, the NVIDIA Quadro K2200 scores 10,761, which is actually 0.7% lower than the GTX 560 Ti's average. This indicates the GTX 560 Ti performs competitively within its own era, but the GTX 780M operates in a higher performance tier.

Where Each One Wins

The GTX 780M wins decisively in compute performance, as shown by its 19.4% OpenCL advantage. It also wins in memory capacity (4 GB versus 1024 MB), memory bandwidth (160.0 GB/s versus 128.3 GB/s), and raw throughput metrics including pixel rate, texture rate, and FP32 TFLOPS. For any workload involving large textures, compute shaders, or general-purpose GPU computing, the GTX 780M is the stronger choice.

The GTX 780M also wins in API compatibility, offering Vulkan 1.2.175 support that the GTX 560 Ti completely lacks. This makes the GTX 780M more future-proof for applications using modern graphics APIs. Its lower TDP (122 W versus 170 W) and lack of power connectors make it easier to integrate into power-constrained systems, though its MXM form factor limits installation to compatible laptops or compact systems.

The GTX 560 Ti wins in form factor flexibility for desktop users. It is a dual-slot PCIe 2.0 x16 card with standard display outputs (2x DVI and 1x mini-HDMI 1.3a), making it directly installable in conventional desktop motherboards. Its 229 mm length fits most mid-tower cases. The GTX 560 Ti also has a listed launch MSRP of 249 USD, while the GTX 780M has no MSRP listed.

For compatibility with older systems, the GTX 560 Ti's PCIe 2.0 interface may be more suitable for legacy motherboards, while the GTX 780M's MXM-B (3.0) interface requires a specific laptop or mini-PC design. The GTX 560 Ti's higher TDP and 2x 6-pin power connectors suggest it requires a more robust power supply, but its suggested 450 W PSU rating is modest by modern standards.

In summary, the GTX 780M wins for compute-intensive applications, larger memory footprints, and modern API support. The GTX 560 Ti wins for desktop compatibility and straightforward installation in traditional PC builds. For anyone comparing these two, the GTX 780M is the superior performer, while the GTX 560 Ti remains a functional option only where the MXM form factor cannot be accommodated.