GeForce GTX 980 vs GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)

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 (Mobile) across 49 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.
❌340% higher power demand at 220W vs 50W.

GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)

2025

Why buy it

✅8.3% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 4 GB).
✅More future proof: Blackwell (2024−2025) on 4nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 50W instead of 220W, a 170W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 20.2 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

GeForce GTX 980

2014

GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)

2025

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

✅8.3% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 4 GB).
✅More future proof: Blackwell (2024−2025) on 4nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 50W instead of 220W, a 170W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile) across 49 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.
❌340% higher power demand at 220W vs 50W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 20.2 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

Quick Answers

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

Yes. GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile) is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile) averages 8.3% more FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 10,465 vs 11,077 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile) is a 2025 card with no meaningful modern upscaling stack, while GeForce GTX 980 is a 2014 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.

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

GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile) is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2025 generation instead of 2014, more VRAM at 8 GB instead of 4 GB, and a 4nm process instead of 28nm. That extra memory headroom makes it the safer pick for newer games, heavier textures, and higher settings over time.

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

GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile) is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile) is priced in an unclear MSRP range at an unclear MSRP versus $549 MSRP, and you are getting 8.3% more estimated average FPS across 49 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.

Is GeForce GTX 980 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

No, not for a fresh gaming build. GeForce GTX 980 is 2014 hardware with 4 GB of VRAM, 11,077 in G3D Mark, and no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That is simply too far behind to be an easy modern recommendation.

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 (Mobile) Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)
1080p
low	82 FPS	133 FPS
medium	71 FPS	115 FPS
high	60 FPS	101 FPS
ultra	39 FPS	84 FPS
1440p
low	72 FPS	117 FPS
medium	63 FPS	95 FPS
high	47 FPS	80 FPS
ultra	30 FPS	69 FPS
4K
low	26 FPS	65 FPS
medium	24 FPS	58 FPS
high	17 FPS	41 FPS
ultra	14 FPS	36 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 980 Open GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)
1080p
low	182 FPS	121 FPS
medium	156 FPS	92 FPS
high	128 FPS	70 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	44 FPS
1440p
low	127 FPS	67 FPS
medium	102 FPS	44 FPS
high	83 FPS	33 FPS
ultra	64 FPS	23 FPS
4K
low	59 FPS	24 FPS
medium	49 FPS	17 FPS
high	47 FPS	14 FPS
ultra	39 FPS	11 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 980 Open GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)
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 (Mobile)

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)
1080p
low	153 FPS	417 FPS
medium	127 FPS	338 FPS
high	110 FPS	285 FPS
ultra	94 FPS	235 FPS
1440p
low	114 FPS	340 FPS
medium	96 FPS	270 FPS
high	84 FPS	208 FPS
ultra	71 FPS	170 FPS
4K
low	66 FPS	162 FPS
medium	53 FPS	124 FPS
high	41 FPS	109 FPS
ultra	32 FPS	92 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 980 Open GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

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

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 (Mobile)

The GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile) is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 2 2025. It features the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 2235 MHz to 2520 MHz. It has 4608 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 4 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,465 points.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 980 scores 11,077 versus the GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)'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 (Mobile) uses Blackwell 2.0, both on 28 nm vs 4 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 4,608 (GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)). Boost clocks: 1216 MHz vs 2520 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)
G3D Mark Score	11,077+6%	10,465
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Blackwell 2.0
Process Node	28 nm	4 nm
Shading Units	2048	4608+125%
Boost Clock	1216 MHz	2520 MHz+107%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)
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 (Mobile) has 8 GB. The GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile) 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 (Mobile)) — a 14.3% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile). Bus width: 256-bit vs 256-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)
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

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)
DirectX	12.1	12
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) vs NVENC 6th gen (GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs NVDEC 3rd gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)).

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)
Encoder	NVENC 3.0	NVENC 6th gen
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6	NVDEC 3rd gen
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 980 draws 220W versus the GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)'s 50W — a 125.9% difference. The GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile) is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 980) vs 500W (GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	GeForce GTX 1070 (Mobile)
TDP	220W	50W-77%
Recommended PSU	500W	500W
Power Connector	2x 6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	267mm	—
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	80°C	80°C
Perf/Watt	50.4	209.3+315%