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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce GTX 980M SLI

2014

Why buy it

✅Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Trade-offs

❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Poor future-proofing: 2014-era hardware with 8 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌150% higher power demand at 200W vs 80W.

Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design

2019

Why buy it

✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅More future proof: Turing (2018−2022) on 12nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 80W instead of 200W, a 120W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer clear downsides in this head-to-head, aside from the usual pricing and availability swings.

GeForce GTX 980M SLI

2014

Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design

2019

Why buy it

✅Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Why buy it

✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅More future proof: Turing (2018−2022) on 12nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 80W instead of 200W, a 120W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Poor future-proofing: 2014-era hardware with 8 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌150% higher power demand at 200W vs 80W.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer clear downsides in this head-to-head, aside from the usual pricing and availability swings.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce GTX 980M SLI better than Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design?

Yes. GeForce GTX 980M SLI is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 12,523 vs 12,173 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce GTX 980M SLI is a 2014 card with no meaningful modern upscaling stack, while Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design is a 2019 model from an older generation with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2019 generation instead of 2014, better upscaling support with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack and better frame-generation support with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, and a 12nm process instead of 28nm. That broader feature stack should age better as more games lean on modern upscaling and frame-generation support.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce GTX 980M SLI can still make sense if you find it at the right price, especially around Unknown MSRP. GeForce GTX 980M SLI is still the smarter buy for most people, though, because the raw performance is close while the overall package is cleaner. GeForce GTX 980M SLI is priced in an unclear MSRP range at an unclear MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 2.9% higher G3D Mark. Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design is the newer 2019 card, so it still has a real case if you care more about newer architecture, lower power draw (80W vs 200W), and future-proofing than about squeezing out the strongest gaming value today.

When does Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design make more sense than GeForce GTX 980M SLI?

Yes. Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. It makes more sense if your priority is newer architecture, lower power draw (80W vs 200W), future-proofing, and staying closer to an unclear MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce GTX 980M SLI. The trade-off is that GeForce GTX 980M SLI currently gives you 2.9% higher G3D Mark. G3D-per-dollar is basically tied between them.

Games Benchmarks

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 9800X3D 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 980M SLI Benchmark Check

Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
1080p
low	45 FPS	162 FPS
medium	37 FPS	142 FPS
high	27 FPS	117 FPS
ultra	18 FPS	73 FPS
1440p
low	36 FPS	130 FPS
medium	26 FPS	109 FPS
high	17 FPS	82 FPS
ultra	11 FPS	52 FPS
4K
low	15 FPS	50 FPS
medium	12 FPS	43 FPS
high	7 FPS	31 FPS
ultra	6 FPS	26 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 980M SLI Open Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
1080p
low	98 FPS	174 FPS
medium	74 FPS	139 FPS
high	56 FPS	117 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	100 FPS
1440p
low	56 FPS	134 FPS
medium	38 FPS	105 FPS
high	27 FPS	90 FPS
ultra	18 FPS	74 FPS
4K
low	19 FPS	78 FPS
medium	13 FPS	63 FPS
high	11 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	8 FPS	40 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 980M SLI Open Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
1080p
low	564 FPS	548 FPS
medium	451 FPS	438 FPS
high	376 FPS	365 FPS
ultra	282 FPS	274 FPS
1440p
low	423 FPS	411 FPS
medium	338 FPS	329 FPS
high	282 FPS	274 FPS
ultra	211 FPS	205 FPS
4K
low	277 FPS	274 FPS
medium	225 FPS	219 FPS
high	175 FPS	183 FPS
ultra	129 FPS	137 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 980M SLI Open Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
1080p
low	191 FPS	247 FPS
medium	158 FPS	214 FPS
high	109 FPS	172 FPS
ultra	77 FPS	145 FPS
1440p
low	126 FPS	189 FPS
medium	97 FPS	167 FPS
high	70 FPS	131 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	108 FPS
4K
low	68 FPS	112 FPS
medium	50 FPS	94 FPS
high	37 FPS	76 FPS
ultra	27 FPS	58 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 980M SLI Open Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 980M SLI and Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design

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.

Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design

The Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 27 2019. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 780 MHz to 1380 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 80W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 40 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,173 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 980M SLI scores 12,523 and the Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design reaches 12,173 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 980M SLI is built on Maxwell while the Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design uses Turing, both on 28 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 3,072 (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs 2,560 (Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design). Boost clocks: 1127 MHz vs 1380 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
G3D Mark Score	12,523+3%	12,173
Architecture	Maxwell	Turing
Process Node	28 nm	12 nm
Shading Units	3072+20%	2560
Boost Clock	1127 MHz	1380 MHz+22%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce GTX 980M SLI lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design supports the newer DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 980M SLI is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction	No	Yes (DLSS 3.5)
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 8 GB of video memory. Bus width: 256-bit vs 256-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
VRAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Bus Width	256-bit	256-bit

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs 12.2 (Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.4 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
DirectX	12.1	12.2
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 7th Gen NVENC (Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 (2x) vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design).

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
Encoder	NVENC 4.0 (2x)	7th Gen NVENC
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6 (2x)	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 980M SLI draws 200W versus the Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design's 80W — a 85.7% difference. The Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs 500W (Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 267mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980M SLI	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
TDP	200W	80W-60%
Recommended PSU	500W	500W
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	267mm	0mm
Height	111mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	85°C	80°C-6%
Perf/Watt	62.6	152.2+143%