GeForce GTX 980 vs RTX A1000 Embedded GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 980

2014Core: 1064 MHzBoost: 1216 MHz
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VS
NVIDIA

RTX A1000 Embedded GPU

2022Core: 630 MHzBoost: 1140 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce GTX 980 vs RTX A1000 Embedded GPU Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce GTX 980 vs RTX A1000 Embedded GPU FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce GTX 980 vs RTX A1000 Embedded GPU: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce GTX 980

2014

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 20.2 vs 0 G3D/$ ($549 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than RTX A1000 Embedded GPU across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2014 hardware with 4 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
  • 528.6% higher power demand at 220W vs 35W.
  • 225.6% longer card at 267mm vs 82mm.

RTX A1000 Embedded GPU

2022

Why buy it

  • 11.5% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 4 GB).
  • Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
  • Draws 35W instead of 220W, a 185W reduction.
  • Measures 82mm instead of 267mm, a 185mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 20.2 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
RTX A1000 Embedded GPU is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 11.5% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce GTX 980 instead at 11,077 vs 11,009, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
RTX A1000 Embedded GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 8 GB vs 4 GB of VRAM, a 8nm process instead of 28nm, 16 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2022 generation instead of 2014. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce GTX 980 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 980 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, RTX A1000 Embedded GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 980 vs RTX A1000 Embedded GPU Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

RTX A1000 Embedded GPU

The RTX A1000 Embedded GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 30 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 630 MHz to 1140 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 35W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 16 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 11,009 points.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 980 scores 11,077 and the RTX A1000 Embedded GPU reaches 11,009 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 980 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the RTX A1000 Embedded GPU uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (GeForce GTX 980) vs 2,048 (RTX A1000 Embedded GPU). Raw compute: 4.981 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980) vs 4.669 TFLOPS (RTX A1000 Embedded GPU). Boost clocks: 1216 MHz vs 1140 MHz.

FeatureGeForce GTX 980RTX A1000 Embedded GPU
G3D Mark Score
11,077
11,009
Architecture
Maxwell 2.0
Ampere
Process Node
28 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
2048
2048
Compute (TFLOPS)
4.981 TFLOPS+7%
4.669 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1216 MHz+7%
1140 MHz
ROPs
64+100%
32
TMUs
128+100%
64
L1 Cache
0.75 MB
2 MB+167%
L2 Cache
2 MB
2 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GTX 980RTX A1000 Embedded GPU
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 980 has 4 GB of VRAM, while the RTX A1000 Embedded GPU carries 8 GB. RTX A1000 Embedded GPU gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 256-bit on the GeForce GTX 980 and 128-bit on the RTX A1000 Embedded GPU.

FeatureGeForce GTX 980RTX A1000 Embedded GPU
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 Embedded GPU). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTX 980RTX A1000 Embedded GPU
DirectX
12.1
12.2
Vulkan
1.1
1.4+27%
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 Embedded GPU). 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 Embedded GPU).

FeatureGeForce GTX 980RTX A1000 Embedded GPU
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 Embedded GPU's 35W — a 145.1% difference. The RTX A1000 Embedded GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 980) vs 500W (RTX A1000 Embedded GPU). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 267mm vs 82mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75°C.

FeatureGeForce GTX 980RTX A1000 Embedded GPU
TDP
220W
35W-84%
Recommended PSU
500W
500W
Power Connector
2x 6-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
267mm
82mm
Height
111mm
4mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
80°C
75°C-6%
Perf/Watt
50.4
314.5+524%
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is RTX A1000 Embedded GPU (2022 vs 2014).

FeatureGeForce GTX 980RTX A1000 Embedded GPU
MSRP
$549
Codename
GM204
GA107S
Release
September 19 2014
March 30 2022
Ranking
#245
#246

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