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 980M SLI vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB 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 980M SLI vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB: 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 980M SLI

2014

Why buy it

✅+16.5% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 6GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2014 hardware with 8 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 63.6 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
❌185.7% higher power demand at 200W vs 70W.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅46.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 0 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅Draws 70W instead of 200W, a 130W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (10,749 vs 12,523).
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 46.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce GTX 980M SLI instead at 12,523 vs 10,749, 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?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 28nm, 18 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2024 generation instead of 2014. That gives it the more rounded hardware package for newer games.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce GTX 980M SLI vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 980M SLI

The GeForce GTX 980M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 7 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1038 MHz to 1127 MHz. It has 3072 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,523 points.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 2 2024. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1042 MHz to 1470 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 18 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,749 points. Launch price was $179.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 980M SLI scores 12,523 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 10,749 — the GeForce GTX 980M SLI leads by 16.5%. The GeForce GTX 980M SLI is built on Maxwell while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 3,072 (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Boost clocks: 1127 MHz vs 1470 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
G3D Mark Score	12,523+17%	10,749
Architecture	Maxwell	Ampere
Process Node	28 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	3072+33%	2304
Boost Clock	1127 MHz	1470 MHz+30%

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 980M SLI is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 980M SLI has 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB carries 6 GB. GeForce GTX 980M SLI gives you 33.3% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 160 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — a 5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. Memory bus width is 256-bit on the GeForce GTX 980M SLI and 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
VRAM Capacity	8 GB+33%	6 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	160 GB/s	168 GB/s+5%
Bus Width	256-bit+167%	96-bit

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.4 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
DirectX	12.1	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.1	1.3+18%
OpenGL	4.4	4.6+5%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 4.0 (2x) (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 (2x) vs NVDEC (7th Gen). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB).

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Encoder	NVENC 4.0 (2x)	NVENC (5th Gen)
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6 (2x)	NVDEC (7th Gen)
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 980M SLI draws 200W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 70W — a 96.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs None. Card length: 267mm vs 160mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
TDP	200W	70W-65%
Recommended PSU	500W	300W-40%
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	None
Length	267mm	160mm
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	85°C	75°C-12%
Perf/Watt	62.6	153.6+145%

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2014).

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
MSRP	—	$169
Codename	—	GA107
Release	October 7 2014	February 2 2024
Ranking	#263	#252

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