GeForce GTX 980 vs GeForce RTX 4060
GeForce GTX 980
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GeForce RTX 4060
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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 4060
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 4060 is significantly newer (2023 vs 2014). The GeForce RTX 4060 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 RTX 4060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 76.5% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (8 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 980.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-76.5%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+76.5%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) / 5nm) |
| 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 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $50 versus $299 for the GeForce RTX 4060, it costs 83% less. While it maintains lower overall performance, this results in a 238.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+238.9%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($50) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($299) |
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 4060
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 4060
The GeForce RTX 4060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1830 MHz to 2460 MHz. It has 3072 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 24 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 19,548 points. Launch price was $299.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 980 scores 11,077 versus the GeForce RTX 4060's 19,548 — the GeForce RTX 4060 leads by 76.5%. The GeForce GTX 980 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 4060 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 28 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 3,072 (GeForce RTX 4060). Raw compute: 4.981 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980) vs 15.11 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060). Boost clocks: 1216 MHz vs 2460 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 11,077 | 19,548+76% |
| Architecture | Maxwell 2.0 | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 5 nm |
| Shading Units | 2048 | 3072+50% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 4.981 TFLOPS | 15.11 TFLOPS+203% |
| Boost Clock | 1216 MHz | 2460 MHz+102% |
| ROPs | 64+33% | 48 |
| TMUs | 128+33% | 96 |
| L1 Cache | 0.75 MB | 3 MB+300% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 24 MB+1100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4060 is support for DLSS 3 Frame Gen. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce GTX 980 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | DLSS 3.5 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | DLSS 3.0 (Native) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | Yes (DLSS 3.5) |
| Low Latency | Standard | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 980 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4060 has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 4060 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980) vs 272 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060) — a 21.4% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4060. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 980) vs 24 MB (GeForce RTX 4060) — the GeForce RTX 4060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 224 GB/s | 272 GB/s+21% |
| Bus Width | 256-bit+100% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 24 MB+1100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 8th gen (GeForce RTX 4060). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4060).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 3.0 | NVENC 8th gen |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP6 | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 980 draws 220W versus the GeForce RTX 4060's 115W — a 62.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 4060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 980) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 4060). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 240mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 73°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 220W | 115W-48% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W-9% | 550W |
| Power Connector | 2x 6-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 267mm | 240mm |
| Height | 111mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 73°C-9% |
| Perf/Watt | 50.4 | 170.0+237% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 980 launched at $549 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the GeForce RTX 4060 launched at $299 and now averages $299. The GeForce GTX 980 costs 83.3% less ($249 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 221.5 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 65.4 (GeForce RTX 4060) — the GeForce GTX 980 offers 238.7% better value. The GeForce RTX 4060 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $549 | $299-46% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-83% | $299 |
| Performance per Dollar | 221.5+239% | 65.4 |
| Codename | GM204 | AD107 |
| Release | September 19 2014 | May 18 2023 |
| Ranking | #245 | #84 |
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The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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