GeForce GTX 980 Ti vs GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

#1

GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

MSRP: $399|Avg: $280

100%

#2

GeForce RTX 5060

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

96%

#3

Radeon RX 5600 XT

MSRP: $279|Avg: $180

95%

#4

Radeon RX 9060

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

95%

#5

GeForce RTX 5050

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

95%

#6

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

MSRP: $249|Avg: $150

94%

#7

Arc A580

MSRP: $179|Avg: $179

93%

#8

Radeon RX 9060 XT

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

93%

#9

Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

92%

#10

Radeon RX 7600

MSRP: $269|Avg: $250

91%

#11

Radeon RX 6600

MSRP: $329|Avg: $180

90%

#12

GeForce RTX 4060

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

90%

#13

Arc B570

MSRP: $219|Avg: $219

89%

#14

Arc B580

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

88%

#15

Radeon RX 6500 XT

MSRP: $199|Avg: $150

88%

#16

GeForce RTX 3070

MSRP: $499|Avg: $200

88%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 48.1% higher G3D Mark score and 33.3% more VRAM (8 GB vs 6 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 980 Ti.

Insight	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-48.1%)	✅Leading raw performance (+48.1%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))	🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm)
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	🎮 High Capacity (8 GB)
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	Standard Size (267mm)	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $100 versus $280 for the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, it costs 64% less. While it maintains lower overall performance, this results in a 89% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+89%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($100)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($280)

Performance Check

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 7800X3D 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 980 Ti Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 980 Ti and GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

GeForce GTX 980 Ti

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 2 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1000 MHz to 1075 MHz. It has 2816 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 13,711 points. Launch price was $649.

GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1410 MHz to 1665 MHz. It has 4864 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 38 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 20,312 points. Launch price was $399.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 980 Ti scores 13,711 versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti's 20,312 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti leads by 48.1%. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,816 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 4,864 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Raw compute: 6.06 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 16.2 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Boost clocks: 1075 MHz vs 1665 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
G3D Mark Score	13,711	20,312+48%
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Ampere
Process Node	28 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2816	4864+73%
Compute (TFLOPS)	6.06 TFLOPS	16.2 TFLOPS+167%
Boost Clock	1075 MHz	1665 MHz+55%
ROPs	96+20%	80
TMUs	176+16%	152
L1 Cache	1 MB	4.8 MB+380%
L2 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)	DLSS 2.0
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 336 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) — a 33.3% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti. Bus width: 384-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	8 GB+33%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	336 GB/s	448 GB/s+33%
Bus Width	384-bit+50%	256-bit
L2 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
DirectX	12.1	12 Ultimate (12_2)
Vulkan	1.1	1.3+18%
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 3.0 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs NVDEC (Ampere). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti).

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Encoder	NVENC 3.0	NVENC (Ampere)
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6	NVDEC (Ampere)
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti draws 250W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti's 200W — a 22.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 600W (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
TDP	250W	200W-20%
Recommended PSU	600W	600W
Power Connector	6-pin + 8-pin	8-pin
Length	267mm	242mm
Height	111mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	85°C	75-12%
Perf/Watt	54.8	101.6+85%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti launched at $649 MSRP and currently averages $100, while the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti launched at $399 and now averages $280. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti costs 64.3% less ($180 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 137.1 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 72.5 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) — the GeForce GTX 980 Ti offers 89.1% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2015).