GeForce GTX 980 Ti vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

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 3050 8GB

#8

Radeon RX 9060 XT

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

112%

#9

Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

111%

#10

Radeon RX 7600

MSRP: $269|Avg: $250

111%

#11

Radeon RX 6600

MSRP: $329|Avg: $180

109%

#12

GeForce RTX 4060

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

109%

#13

Arc B570

MSRP: $219|Avg: $219

107%

#14

Arc B580

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

107%

#15

Radeon RX 6500 XT

MSRP: $199|Avg: $150

107%

#16

GeForce RTX 3070

MSRP: $499|Avg: $200

106%

#17

Radeon RX 6700

MSRP: $379|Avg: $300

105%

#18

Radeon RX 6600 XT

MSRP: $379|Avg: $170

103%

#19

Radeon RX590 GME

MSRP: $173|Avg: $115

103%

#20

Radeon RX 6650 XT

MSRP: $399|Avg: $230

102%

#21

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti

MSRP: $379|Avg: $379

101%

#22

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

MSRP: $169|Avg: $179

100%

#23

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

MSRP: $249|Avg: $209

100%

#24

Radeon RX 6600 LE

MSRP: $329|Avg: $160

100%

#25

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB

MSRP: $379|Avg: $379

99%

#26

Radeon RX 7700 XT

MSRP: $449|Avg: $380

99%

#27

GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

MSRP: $399|Avg: $380

99%

#28

Radeon RX 6750 GRE 10GB

MSRP: $269|Avg: $318

98%

#29

Radeon RX 6700 XT

MSRP: $479|Avg: $230

98%

#30

GeForce RTX 3060

MSRP: $329|Avg: $289

98%

#31

Radeon RX 7400

MSRP: $199|Avg: $199

98%

#32

Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB

MSRP: $349|Avg: $349

97%

#33

Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB

MSRP: $349|Avg: $349

96%

#34

Radeon RX 5300

MSRP: $129|Avg: $50

94%

#35

GeForce GTX 1650 Ti

MSRP: $150|Avg: $77

93%

#36

Radeon RX 6400

MSRP: $159|Avg: $139

93%

#37

GeForce RTX 3070 Ti

MSRP: $599|Avg: $330

93%

#38

Arc A750

MSRP: $289|Avg: $229

92%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is significantly newer (2022 vs 2015). The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB 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 GTX 980 Ti is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 9.4% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

Insight	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+9.4%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-9.4%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))	🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm)
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support
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 $209 for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB, it costs 52% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 128.6% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+128.6%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($100)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($209)

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 3050 8GB Benchmark Check

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Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 980 Ti and GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

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 3050 8GB

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1552 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,535 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 980 Ti scores 13,711 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB's 12,535 — the GeForce GTX 980 Ti leads by 9.4%. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,816 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Raw compute: 6.06 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Boost clocks: 1075 MHz vs 1777 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
G3D Mark Score	13,711+9%	12,535
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Ampere
Process Node	28 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2816+10%	2560
Compute (TFLOPS)	6.06 TFLOPS	9.098 TFLOPS+50%
Boost Clock	1075 MHz	1777 MHz+65%
ROPs	96+200%	32
TMUs	176+120%	80
L1 Cache	1 MB	2.5 MB+150%
L2 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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 3050 8GB has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 336 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — a 50% advantage for the GeForce GTX 980 Ti. Bus width: 384-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — the GeForce GTX 980 Ti has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	8 GB+33%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	336 GB/s+50%	224 GB/s
Bus Width	384-bit+200%	128-bit
L2 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
DirectX	12.1	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.1	1.4+27%
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 3.0 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB).

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Encoder	NVENC 3.0	NVENC 7th gen
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6	NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti draws 250W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB's 130W — a 63.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). 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 66°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
TDP	250W	130W-48%
Recommended PSU	600W	450W-25%
Power Connector	6-pin + 8-pin	8-pin
Length	267mm	242mm
Height	111mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	85°C	66°C-22%
Perf/Watt	54.8	96.4+76%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti launched at $649 MSRP and currently averages $100, while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 and now averages $209. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti costs 52.2% less ($109 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 137.1 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 60.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — the GeForce GTX 980 Ti offers 128.5% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2015).