GeForce GTX 1080 Max Q vs GeForce GTX 960

Find out if it is worth upgrading your current GPU setup by comparing GeForce GTX 1080 Max Q and GeForce GTX 960. Here you can take a closer look at graphics cards specs, such as core clock speed, memory type and size, display connectors, etc. The price, overall benchmark and gaming performances are usually defining factors when it comes to choosing between GeForce GTX 1080 Max Q and GeForce GTX 960. Make sure that the graphics card has compatible dimensions and will properly fit in your new or current computer case. Also these graphics cards may have different system power recommendations, so take that into consideration and upgrade your PSU if necessary.

GeForce GTX 1080 Max Q is a Laptop Graphics Card

Note: GeForce GTX 1080 Max Q is only used in laptop graphics. It has lower GPU clock speed compared to the desktop variant, which results in lower power consumption, but also 10-30% lower gaming performance. Check available laptop models with GeForce GTX 1080 Max Q here:

Main Specs

  GeForce GTX 1080 Max Q GeForce GTX 960
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 120 Watt
Interface PCIe 3.0 x16 PCIe 3.0 x16
Supplementary power connectors None 1x 6-pins
Memory type GDDR5X GDDR5
Maximum RAM amount 8 GB 4 GB
Display Connectors No outputs 1x DVI, 1x HDMI, 3x DisplayPort
Recommended system power (PSU) 400 Watt
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  • GeForce GTX 1080 Max Q has 25% more power consumption, than GeForce GTX 960.
  • Both video cards are using PCIe 3.0 x16 interface connection to a motherboard.
  • GeForce GTX 1080 Max Q has 4 GB more memory, than GeForce GTX 960.
  • GeForce GTX 1080 Max Q is used in Laptops, and GeForce GTX 960 - in Desktops.
  • GeForce GTX 1080 Max Q is build with Pascal architecture, and GeForce GTX 960 - with Maxwell.
  • Core clock speed of GeForce GTX 960 is 26 MHz higher, than GeForce GTX 1080 Max Q.
  • GeForce GTX 1080 Max Q is manufactured by 16 nm process technology, and GeForce GTX 960 - by 28 nm process technology.
  • Memory clock speed of GeForce GTX 1080 Max Q is 9993 MHz higher, than GeForce GTX 960.

Game benchmarks

high / 1080p 50−55 35−40
ultra / 1080p 35−40 21−24
QHD / 1440p 27−30 16−18
4K / 2160p 16−18 10−11
low / 720p 80−85 60−65
medium / 1080p 60−65 40−45
The average gaming FPS of GeForce GTX 1080 Max Q in Assassin's Creed Odyssey is 43% more, than GeForce GTX 960.

Full Specs

  GeForce GTX 1080 Max Q GeForce GTX 960
Architecture Pascal Maxwell
Code name N17E-G3 Max-Q GM206
Type Laptop Desktop
Release date 30 May 2017 22 January 2015
Pipelines 2560 1024
Core clock speed 1101 - 1290 MHz 1127 MHz
Boost Clock 1278 - 1468 MHz 1178 MHz
Transistor count 7,200 million 2,940 million
Manufacturing process technology 16 nm 28 nm
Texture fill rate 234.9 72 billion/sec
Floating-point performance 7,516 gflops 2,413 gflops
Length 9.5" (24.1 cm)
Memory bus width 256 Bit 128 Bit
Memory clock speed 10000 MHz 7.0 GB/s
Memory bandwidth 320.3 GB/s 112 GB/s
Shared memory - -
G-SYNC support + +
VR Ready +
DirectX 12 (12_1) 12 (12_1)
Shader Model 6.4 6.4
OpenGL 4.6 4.4
OpenCL 1.2 1.2
Vulkan 1.2.131 1.1.126
CUDA 6.1 +
Monero / XMR (CryptoNight) 0.27 kh/s
CUDA cores 1024
Bus support PCI Express 3.0
Height 4.376" (11.1 cm)
SLI options +
Multi monitor support 4 displays
HDCP +
Maximum VGA resolution 2048x1536
Audio input for HDMI Internal
Bitcoin / BTC (SHA256) 318 Mh/s
Laptop size large
Decred / DCR (Decred) 0.92 Gh/s
Ethereum / ETH (DaggerHashimoto) 8 Mh/s
Zcash / ZEC (Equihash) 141.47 Sol/s
GameStream +
GeForce ShadowPlay +
GPU Boost 2.0
GameWorks +
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