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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce GTX 980

2014

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 20.2 vs 0 G3D/$ ($549 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel) across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2014-era hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌83.3% higher power demand at 220W vs 120W.

GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)

2016

Why buy it

✅42.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 4 GB).
✅Draws 120W instead of 220W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 8 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 20.2 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

GeForce GTX 980

2014

GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)

2016

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 20.2 vs 0 G3D/$ ($549 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Why buy it

✅42.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 4 GB).
✅Draws 120W instead of 220W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel) across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2014-era hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌83.3% higher power demand at 220W vs 120W.

Trade-offs

❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 8 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 20.2 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel) better than GeForce GTX 980?

Yes. GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel) is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 42.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data, 5.8% higher PassMark G3D performance, and 8 GB vs 4 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2016 instead of 2014, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce GTX 980 is the safer long-term GPU choice because it gives you the stronger overall hardware and feature outlook for modern games.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel) is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel) is priced in an unclear MSRP range at an unclear MSRP versus $549 MSRP, and you are getting 42.0% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and a lower G3D Mark (10,465 vs 11,077). GeForce GTX 980 really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.

When does GeForce GTX 980 make more sense than GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)?

Yes. GeForce GTX 980 is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It makes more sense if your priority is future-proofing and staying closer to $549 MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel). The trade-off is that GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel) currently gives you a lower G3D Mark (10,465 vs 11,077) and 42.0% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. GeForce GTX 980 still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium.

Games Benchmarks

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 9800X3D 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 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel) Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)
1080p
low	82 FPS	140 FPS
medium	71 FPS	126 FPS
high	60 FPS	109 FPS
ultra	39 FPS	91 FPS
1440p
low	72 FPS	121 FPS
medium	63 FPS	102 FPS
high	47 FPS	86 FPS
ultra	30 FPS	76 FPS
4K
low	26 FPS	63 FPS
medium	24 FPS	56 FPS
high	17 FPS	38 FPS
ultra	14 FPS	32 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 980 Open GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)
1080p
low	182 FPS	205 FPS
medium	156 FPS	173 FPS
high	128 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	108 FPS
1440p
low	127 FPS	130 FPS
medium	102 FPS	105 FPS
high	83 FPS	86 FPS
ultra	64 FPS	66 FPS
4K
low	59 FPS	61 FPS
medium	49 FPS	51 FPS
high	47 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	39 FPS	41 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 980 Open GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)
1080p
low	478 FPS	471 FPS
medium	399 FPS	377 FPS
high	332 FPS	314 FPS
ultra	249 FPS	235 FPS
1440p
low	374 FPS	353 FPS
medium	299 FPS	283 FPS
high	249 FPS	235 FPS
ultra	187 FPS	177 FPS
4K
low	242 FPS	235 FPS
medium	199 FPS	188 FPS
high	154 FPS	157 FPS
ultra	114 FPS	118 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 980 Open GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)
1080p
low	153 FPS	394 FPS
medium	127 FPS	331 FPS
high	110 FPS	277 FPS
ultra	94 FPS	235 FPS
1440p
low	114 FPS	325 FPS
medium	96 FPS	273 FPS
high	84 FPS	216 FPS
ultra	71 FPS	177 FPS
4K
low	66 FPS	176 FPS
medium	53 FPS	138 FPS
high	41 FPS	126 FPS
ultra	32 FPS	103 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 980 Open GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 980 and GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)

GeForce GTX 980

The GeForce GTX 980 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 19 2014. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1064 MHz to 1216 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 220W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 11,077 points. Launch price was $549.

GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)

The GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel) is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 15 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1506 MHz to 1645 MHz. It has 1920 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,465 points. Launch price was $389.99.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 980 scores 11,077 versus the GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)'s 10,465 — the GeForce GTX 980 leads by 5.8%. The GeForce GTX 980 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel) uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 1,920 (GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)). Raw compute: 4.981 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980) vs 6.738 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)). Boost clocks: 1216 MHz vs 1645 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)
G3D Mark Score	11,077+6%	10,465
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Pascal
Process Node	28 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	2048+7%	1920
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.981 TFLOPS	6.738 TFLOPS+35%
Boost Clock	1216 MHz	1645 MHz+35%
ROPs	64	64
TMUs	128	128
L1 Cache	768 KB	768 KB
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 980 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel) has 8 GB. The GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel) offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980) vs 256 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)) — a 14.3% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel). Bus width: 256-bit vs 256-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	8 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	224 GB/s	256 GB/s+14%
Bus Width	256-bit	256-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)
DirectX	12.1	12.1
Vulkan	1.1	1.1
OpenGL	4.5	4.5
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 3.0 (GeForce GTX 980) vs NVENC 4.0 (GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs PureVideo HD VP6. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)).

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)
Encoder	NVENC 3.0	NVENC 4.0
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6	PureVideo HD VP6
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 980 draws 220W versus the GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)'s 120W — a 58.8% difference. The GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel) is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 980) vs 500W (GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 267mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 85°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (móvel)
TDP	220W	120W-45%
Recommended PSU	500W	500W
Power Connector	2x 6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	267mm	0mm
Height	111mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	80°C-6%	85°C
Perf/Watt	50.4	87.2+73%