GeForce GTX 980M vs GeForce RTX 2060
GeForce GTX 980M
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GeForce RTX 2060
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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. The GeForce GTX 980M is positioned at rank #53 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Balanced cost-benefit for your build. 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
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 2060 uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce RTX 2060 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 980M lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 2060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 91.9% higher G3D Mark score and 50% more VRAM (6 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 980M.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 980M | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-91.9%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+91.9%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) | Turing (2018−2022) (12nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (6 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 2060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $120 (vs $80), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 28% better value per dollar than the GeForce GTX 980M.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 980M | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+28%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($80) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($120) |
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 and GeForce RTX 2060
GeForce GTX 980M
The GeForce GTX 980M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 7 2014. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1038 MHz to 1127 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 7,353 points.
GeForce RTX 2060
The GeForce RTX 2060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 7 2019. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1365 MHz to 1680 MHz. It has 1920 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 30 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 14,114 points. Launch price was $349.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 980M scores 7,353 versus the GeForce RTX 2060's 14,114 — the GeForce RTX 2060 leads by 91.9%. The GeForce GTX 980M is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 2060 uses Turing, both on 28 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 1,536 (GeForce GTX 980M) vs 1,920 (GeForce RTX 2060). Raw compute: 1.659 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980M) vs 6.451 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2060). Boost clocks: 1127 MHz vs 1680 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980M | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 7,353 | 14,114+92% |
| Architecture | Maxwell 2.0 | Turing |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 12 nm |
| Shading Units | 1536 | 1920+25% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.659 TFLOPS | 6.451 TFLOPS+289% |
| Boost Clock | 1127 MHz | 1680 MHz+49% |
| ROPs | 64+33% | 48 |
| TMUs | 96 | 120+25% |
| L1 Cache | 0.56 MB | 1.9 MB+239% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 3 MB+50% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980M | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
The GeForce GTX 980M comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 2060 has 6 GB. The GeForce RTX 2060 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 160 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980M) vs 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2060) — a 110% advantage for the GeForce RTX 2060. Bus width: 256-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 980M) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 2060) — the GeForce RTX 2060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980M | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 6 GB+50% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 160 GB/s | 336 GB/s+110% |
| Bus Width | 256-bit+33% | 192-bit |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 3 MB+50% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980M) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 2060). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980M | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.1 | 12 Ultimate (12_2) |
| Vulkan | 1.1 | 1.3+18% |
| OpenGL | 4.5 | 4.6+2% |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 2.0 (GeForce GTX 980M) vs NVENC (Turing) (GeForce RTX 2060). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs NVDEC (Turing). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264 (GeForce GTX 980M) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,VP8,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce RTX 2060).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980M | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 2.0 | NVENC (Turing) |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP6 | NVDEC (Turing) |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264 | H.264,H.265,VP9,VP8,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 980M draws 100W versus the GeForce RTX 2060's 160W — a 46.2% difference. The GeForce GTX 980M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 980M) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 2060). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 229mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980M | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 100W-38% | 160W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-30% | 500W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 0mm | 229mm |
| Height | 0mm | 113mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | — | 72 |
| Perf/Watt | 73.5 | 88.2+20% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 980M costs 33.3% less ($40 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 91.9 (GeForce GTX 980M) vs 117.6 (GeForce RTX 2060) — the GeForce RTX 2060 offers 28% better value. The GeForce RTX 2060 is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 980M | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $349 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $80-33% | $120 |
| Performance per Dollar | 91.9 | 117.6+28% |
| Codename | GM204 | TU106 |
| Release | October 7 2014 | January 7 2019 |
| Ranking | #344 | #168 |
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