GeForce GTX 980 vs RTX A1000

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 RTX A1000

#38

Radeon PRO W6600X

MSRP: $699|Avg: $699

130%

#41

Quadro RTX 3000 (móvel)

MSRP: $600|Avg: $600

125%

#42

Radeon Pro W5700

MSRP: $799|Avg: $300

125%

#43

Radeon Pro W5700X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $999

122%

#44

RTX A4000

MSRP: $1111|Avg: $1111

121%

#45

RTX PRO 2000 Blackwell

MSRP: $849|Avg: $748

117%

#46

Quadro RTX 4000

MSRP: $899|Avg: $220

115%

#49

RTX 2000E Ada Generation

MSRP: $999|Avg: $999

106%

#50

RTX PRO 4000 Blackwell SFF Edition

MSRP: $1999|Avg: $1750

104%

#51

RTX PRO 4500 Blackwell

MSRP: $2399|Avg: $2015

102%

#52

RTX A1000

MSRP: $749|Avg: $500

100%

#54

Radeon Pro 5700

MSRP: $799|Avg: $250

99%

#55

Quadro P4000

MSRP: $815|Avg: $290

97%

#57

Quadro RTX 3000

MSRP: $800|Avg: $891

94%

#58

RTX PRO 4000 Blackwell

MSRP: $1999|Avg: $1700

92%

#59

Radeon Vega Frontier Edition

MSRP: $999|Avg: $150

88%

#60

Radeon Pro WX 8200

MSRP: $999|Avg: $350

87%

#62

RTX A4500

MSRP: $1699|Avg: $800

86%

#63

RTX 4500 Ada Generation

MSRP: $2250|Avg: $2000

86%

#64

RTX 4000 Ada Generation

MSRP: $1999|Avg: $1547

83%

#65

RTX A4000H

MSRP: $1000|Avg: $927

82%

#66

Radeon PRO W7800

MSRP: $2499|Avg: $2200

75%

#67

RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation

MSRP: $1999|Avg: $1450

72%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The RTX A1000 is significantly newer (2024 vs 2014). The RTX A1000 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 2.4% higher G3D Mark score. However, the RTX A1000 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

Insight	GeForce GTX 980	RTX A1000
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+2.4%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.4%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))	🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm)
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling
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 $500 for the RTX A1000, it costs 90% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 924.3% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 980	RTX A1000
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+924.3%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($50)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($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

RTX A1000 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 980 and RTX A1000

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.

RTX A1000

The RTX A1000 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 16 2024. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 727 MHz to 1462 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 18 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,814 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 980 scores 11,077 and the RTX A1000 reaches 10,814 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 980 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the RTX A1000 uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 2,304 (RTX A1000). Raw compute: 4.981 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980) vs 6.737 TFLOPS (RTX A1000). Boost clocks: 1216 MHz vs 1462 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	RTX A1000
G3D Mark Score	11,077+2%	10,814
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Ampere
Process Node	28 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2048	2304+13%
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.981 TFLOPS	6.737 TFLOPS+35%
Boost Clock	1216 MHz	1462 MHz+20%
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	RTX A1000
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 980 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the RTX A1000 has 8 GB. The RTX A1000 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	RTX A1000
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	8 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Bus Width	256-bit+100%	128-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 12.2 (RTX A1000). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	RTX A1000
DirectX	12.1	12.2
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 7th Gen NVENC (RTX A1000). 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,AV1 (Decode) (RTX A1000).

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	RTX A1000
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,AV1 (Decode)

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 980 draws 220W versus the RTX A1000's 50W — a 125.9% difference. The RTX A1000 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 980) vs 500W (RTX A1000). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 267mm vs 163mm, occupying 2 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980	RTX A1000
TDP	220W	50W-77%
Recommended PSU	500W	500W
Power Connector	2x 6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	267mm	163mm
Height	111mm	69mm
Slots	2	1-50%
Temp (Load)	80°C	75°C-6%
Perf/Watt	50.4	216.3+329%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 980 launched at $549 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the RTX A1000 launched at $749 and now averages $500. The GeForce GTX 980 costs 90% less ($450 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 221.5 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 21.6 (RTX A1000) — the GeForce GTX 980 offers 925.5% better value. The RTX A1000 is the newer GPU (2024 vs 2014).