GeForce GTX 980 vs Quadro RTX 3000

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 Quadro RTX 3000

#42

Radeon Pro W5700

MSRP: $799|Avg: $300

133%

#43

Radeon Pro W5700X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $999

130%

#44

RTX A4000

MSRP: $1111|Avg: $1111

129%

#45

RTX PRO 2000 Blackwell

MSRP: $849|Avg: $748

125%

#46

Quadro RTX 4000

MSRP: $899|Avg: $220

122%

#49

RTX 2000E Ada Generation

MSRP: $999|Avg: $999

113%

#50

RTX PRO 4000 Blackwell SFF Edition

MSRP: $1999|Avg: $1750

111%

#51

RTX PRO 4500 Blackwell

MSRP: $2399|Avg: $2015

109%

#52

RTX A1000

MSRP: $749|Avg: $500

106%

#54

Radeon Pro 5700

MSRP: $799|Avg: $250

106%

#55

Quadro P4000

MSRP: $815|Avg: $290

103%

#57

Quadro RTX 3000

MSRP: $800|Avg: $891

100%

#58

RTX PRO 4000 Blackwell

MSRP: $1999|Avg: $1700

98%

#59

Radeon Vega Frontier Edition

MSRP: $999|Avg: $150

94%

#60

Radeon Pro WX 8200

MSRP: $999|Avg: $350

93%

#62

RTX A4500

MSRP: $1699|Avg: $800

92%

#63

RTX 4500 Ada Generation

MSRP: $2250|Avg: $2000

91%

#64

RTX 4000 Ada Generation

MSRP: $1999|Avg: $1547

89%

#65

RTX A4000H

MSRP: $1000|Avg: $927

87%

#66

Radeon PRO W7800

MSRP: $2499|Avg: $2200

80%

#67

RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation

MSRP: $1999|Avg: $1450

76%

#70

Radeon PRO W6800

MSRP: $2249|Avg: $2249

66%

#72

Quadro P4200

MSRP: $1200|Avg: $110

64%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The Quadro RTX 3000 uses modern memory architecture. The Quadro RTX 3000 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 2% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Quadro RTX 3000 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

Insight	GeForce GTX 980	Quadro RTX 3000
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+2%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2018 / Turing (2018−2022))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+50%)
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	Standard Size (267mm)	—

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 980 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $50 versus $891 for the Quadro RTX 3000, it costs 94% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 1717.9% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 980	Quadro RTX 3000
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+1717.9%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($50)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($891)

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 Benchmark Check

Quadro RTX 3000 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 980 and Quadro RTX 3000

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.

Quadro RTX 3000

The Quadro RTX 3000 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 13 2018. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1395 MHz to 1770 MHz. It has 4608 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 260W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 72 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,858 points. Launch price was $9,999.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 980 scores 11,077 and the Quadro RTX 3000 reaches 10,858 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 980 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the Quadro RTX 3000 uses Turing, both on 28 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 4,608 (Quadro RTX 3000). Raw compute: 4.981 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980) vs 16.31 TFLOPS (Quadro RTX 3000). Boost clocks: 1216 MHz vs 1770 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	Quadro RTX 3000
G3D Mark Score	11,077+2%	10,858
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Turing
Process Node	28 nm	12 nm
Shading Units	2048	4608+125%
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.981 TFLOPS	16.31 TFLOPS+227%
Boost Clock	1216 MHz	1770 MHz+46%
ROPs	64	96+50%
TMUs	128	288+125%
L1 Cache	0.75 MB	4.5 MB+500%
L2 Cache	2 MB	6 MB+200%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	Quadro RTX 3000
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 Quadro RTX 3000 has 6 GB. The Quadro RTX 3000 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 256-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 980) vs 6 MB (Quadro RTX 3000) — the Quadro RTX 3000 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	Quadro RTX 3000
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	6 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Bus Width	256-bit	256-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	6 MB+200%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 12.1 (Quadro RTX 3000). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.0. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	Quadro RTX 3000
DirectX	12.1	12.1
Vulkan	1.1+10%	1.0
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 3.0 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 7th Gen NVENC (Quadro RTX 3000). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (Quadro RTX 3000).

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	Quadro RTX 3000
Encoder	NVENC 3.0	7th Gen NVENC
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 980 draws 220W versus the Quadro RTX 3000's 260W — a 16.7% difference. The GeForce GTX 980 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 980) vs 500W (Quadro RTX 3000). 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	Quadro RTX 3000
TDP	220W-15%	260W
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+21%	41.8

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 980 launched at $549 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the Quadro RTX 3000 launched at $800 and now averages $891. The GeForce GTX 980 costs 94.4% less ($841 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 221.5 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 12.2 (Quadro RTX 3000) — the GeForce GTX 980 offers 1715.6% better value. The Quadro RTX 3000 is the newer GPU (2018 vs 2014).