GeForce GTX 980 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
GeForce GTX 980
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GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is significantly newer (2024 vs 2014). The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 980 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 980 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3.1% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+3.1%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-3.1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / 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 (6 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 980 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $50 versus $179 for the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB, it costs 72% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 268.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+268.9%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($50) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($179) |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 980 and GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
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 RTX 3050 6GB
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 2 2024. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1042 MHz to 1470 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 18 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,749 points. Launch price was $179.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 980 scores 11,077 and the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB reaches 10,749 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 980 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Raw compute: 4.981 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980) vs 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Boost clocks: 1216 MHz vs 1470 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 11,077+3% | 10,749 |
| Architecture | Maxwell 2.0 | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 2048 | 2304+13% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 4.981 TFLOPS | 6.774 TFLOPS+36% |
| Boost Clock | 1216 MHz | 1470 MHz+21% |
| ROPs | 64+100% | 32 |
| TMUs | 128+78% | 72 |
| L1 Cache | 0.75 MB | 2.3 MB+207% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 2 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB has 6 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980) vs 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — a 33.3% advantage for the GeForce GTX 980. Bus width: 256-bit vs 96-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 6 GB+50% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 224 GB/s+33% | 168 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 256-bit+167% | 96-bit |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 2 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.1 | 12 Ultimate |
| 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) vs NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs NVDEC (7th Gen). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 3.0 | NVENC (5th Gen) |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP6 | NVDEC (7th Gen) |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC | H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 980 draws 220W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 70W — a 103.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 980) vs 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs None. Card length: 267mm vs 160mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 220W | 70W-68% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 300W-40% |
| Power Connector | 2x 6-pin | None |
| Length | 267mm | 160mm |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 75°C-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 50.4 | 153.6+205% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 980 launched at $549 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169 and now averages $179. The GeForce GTX 980 costs 72.1% less ($129 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 221.5 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 60.1 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce GTX 980 offers 268.6% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the newer GPU (2024 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $549 | $169-69% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-72% | $179 |
| Performance per Dollar | 221.5+269% | 60.1 |
| Codename | GM204 | GA107 |
| Release | September 19 2014 | February 2 2024 |
| Ranking | #245 | #252 |
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