GeForce GTX 980 vs Radeon Pro SSG

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 Radeon Pro SSG

#101

RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition

MSRP: $11605|Avg: $8199

232%

#102

Radeon Pro Vega II Duo

MSRP: $4399|Avg: $3500

203%

#103

Radeon Pro W6800X Duo

MSRP: $4999|Avg: $4999

188%

#104

Radeon Pro W6900X

MSRP: $6000|Avg: $5000

185%

#105

Quadro RTX 6000

MSRP: $6300|Avg: $1800

181%

#106

L40S

MSRP: $7500|Avg: $7500

170%

#107

Quadro P6000

MSRP: $5999|Avg: $1500

165%

#108

Quadro M6000

MSRP: $4999|Avg: $500

150%

#109

Quadro M6000 24GB

MSRP: $4999|Avg: $600

148%

#110

Quadro GV100

MSRP: $8999|Avg: $8999

134%

#111

Tesla P40

MSRP: $5699|Avg: $150

132%

#112

GRID RTX6000-1Q

MSRP: $6299|Avg: $1500

127%

#113

Quadro RTX 8000

MSRP: $9999|Avg: $9999

127%

#114

Quadro GP100

MSRP: $7000|Avg: $1335

125%

#115

Radeon Instinct MI60

MSRP: $6000|Avg: $600

124%

#116

Radeon Pro SSG

MSRP: $6999|Avg: $1500

100%

#117

L40

MSRP: $31000|Avg: $8174

67%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 980 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon Pro SSG offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

Insight	GeForce GTX 980	Radeon Pro SSG
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+1%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / GCN 3.0 (2014−2019))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+100%)
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	Standard Size (267mm)	Standard Size (267mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 980 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 980 holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $1,500), it costs 97% less, resulting in a 2928.7% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 980	Radeon Pro SSG
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+2928.7%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($50)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($1,500)

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

Radeon Pro SSG Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 980 and Radeon Pro SSG

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.

Radeon Pro SSG

The Radeon Pro SSG is manufactured by AMD. It was released in July 26 2016. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1000 MHz to 1050 MHz. It has 4096 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 260W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,972 points. Launch price was $9,999.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 980 scores 11,077 and the Radeon Pro SSG reaches 10,972 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 980 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the Radeon Pro SSG uses GCN 3.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,048 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 4,096 (Radeon Pro SSG). Raw compute: 4.981 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980) vs 8.602 TFLOPS (Radeon Pro SSG). Boost clocks: 1216 MHz vs 1050 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	Radeon Pro SSG
G3D Mark Score	11,077	10,972
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	GCN 3.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2048	4096+100%
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.981 TFLOPS	8.602 TFLOPS+73%
Boost Clock	1216 MHz+16%	1050 MHz
ROPs	64	64
TMUs	128	256+100%
L1 Cache	0.75 MB	1 MB+33%
L2 Cache	2 MB	4 MB+100%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	Radeon Pro SSG
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 980 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon Pro SSG has 8 GB. The Radeon Pro SSG offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 980) vs 4 MB (Radeon Pro SSG) — the Radeon Pro SSG has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	Radeon Pro SSG
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	8 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Bus Width	256-bit+100%	128-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	4 MB+100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 12.1 (Radeon Pro SSG). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 6.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	Radeon Pro SSG
DirectX	12.1	12.1
Vulkan	1.1	1.3+18%
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	6+50%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 3.0 (GeForce GTX 980) vs VCE 4.0 (Radeon Pro SSG). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs UVD 7.0. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (Radeon Pro SSG).

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	Radeon Pro SSG
Encoder	NVENC 3.0	VCE 4.0
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6	UVD 7.0
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 980 draws 220W versus the Radeon Pro SSG's 260W — a 16.7% difference. The GeForce GTX 980 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 980) vs 500W (Radeon Pro SSG). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 267mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 85°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	Radeon Pro SSG
TDP	220W-15%	260W
Recommended PSU	500W	500W
Power Connector	2x 6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	267mm	267mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	80°C-6%	85°C
Perf/Watt	50.4+19%	42.2

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 980 launched at $549 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the Radeon Pro SSG launched at $6999 and now averages $1500. The GeForce GTX 980 costs 96.7% less ($1450 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 221.5 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 7.3 (Radeon Pro SSG) — the GeForce GTX 980 offers 2934.2% better value. The Radeon Pro SSG is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2014).