GeForce GTX 980M SLI vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
GeForce GTX 980M SLI
Popular choices:
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Popular choices:
Performance Spectrum - GPU
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.
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 980M SLI
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is significantly newer (2022 vs 2014). The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 980M SLI lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.1% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 980M SLI.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 980M SLI | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.1%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support |
| 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
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 980M SLI and GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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 8GB
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1552 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,535 points. Launch price was $249.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 980M SLI scores 12,523 and the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB reaches 12,535 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 980M SLI is built on Maxwell while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 3,072 (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Boost clocks: 1127 MHz vs 1777 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980M SLI | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 12,523 | 12,535 |
| Architecture | Maxwell | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 3072+20% | 2560 |
| Boost Clock | 1127 MHz | 1777 MHz+58% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980M SLI | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 8 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 160 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — a 40% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980M SLI | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 160 GB/s | 224 GB/s+40% |
| Bus Width | 256-bit+100% | 128-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.4 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980M SLI | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.1 | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.1 | 1.4+27% |
| OpenGL | 4.4 | 4.6+5% |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 4.0 (2x) (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 (2x) vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980M SLI | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 4.0 (2x) | NVENC 7th gen |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP6 (2x) | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 980M SLI draws 200W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB's 130W — a 42.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 66°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980M SLI | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 130W-35% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 450W-10% |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 267mm | 242mm |
| Height | 111mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 66°C-22% |
| Perf/Watt | 62.6 | 96.4+54% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980M SLI | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $249 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $209 |
| Codename | — | GA106 |
| Release | October 7 2014 | January 4 2022 |
| Ranking | #263 | #211 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar GPU comparisons based on GeForce GTX 980M SLI and GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
