GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs GeForce GTX 980
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
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GeForce GTX 980
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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. 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 RTX 3050 6GB
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is significantly newer (2024 vs 2014). The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 980 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 980 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3.1% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-3.1%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+3.1%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (6 GB) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 980 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $50 versus $179 for the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB, it costs 72% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 268.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+268.9%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($179) | ✅More affordable ($50) |
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 RTX 3050 6GB and GeForce GTX 980
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.
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.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB scores 10,749 and the GeForce GTX 980 reaches 11,077 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 980 uses Maxwell 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 2,048 (GeForce GTX 980). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 4.981 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 1216 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 10,749 | 11,077+3% |
| Architecture | Ampere | Maxwell 2.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2304+13% | 2048 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 6.774 TFLOPS+36% | 4.981 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1470 MHz+21% | 1216 MHz |
| ROPs | 32 | 64+100% |
| TMUs | 72 | 128+78% |
| L1 Cache | 2.3 MB+207% | 0.75 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 2 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The GeForce GTX 980 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 980 has 4 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980) — a 33.3% advantage for the GeForce GTX 980. Bus width: 96-bit vs 256-bit.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB+50% | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 168 GB/s | 224 GB/s+33% |
| Bus Width | 96-bit | 256-bit+167% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 2 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12.1 |
| Vulkan | 1.3+18% | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.6+2% | 4.5 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs NVENC 3.0 (GeForce GTX 980). Decoder: NVDEC (7th Gen) vs PureVideo HD VP6. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC (5th Gen) | NVENC 3.0 |
| Decoder | NVDEC (7th Gen) | PureVideo HD VP6 |
| Codecs | H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the GeForce GTX 980's 220W — a 103.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 500W (GeForce GTX 980). Power connectors: None vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 160mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 70W-68% | 220W |
| Recommended PSU | 300W-40% | 500W |
| Power Connector | None | 2x 6-pin |
| Length | 160mm | 267mm |
| Height | — | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C-6% | 80°C |
| Perf/Watt | 153.6+205% | 50.4 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169 MSRP and currently averages $179, while the GeForce GTX 980 launched at $549 and now averages $50. The GeForce GTX 980 costs 72.1% less ($129 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 60.1 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 221.5 (GeForce GTX 980) — the GeForce GTX 980 offers 268.6% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the newer GPU (2024 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $169-69% | $549 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $179 | $50-72% |
| Performance per Dollar | 60.1 | 221.5+269% |
| Codename | GA107 | GM204 |
| Release | February 2 2024 | September 19 2014 |
| Ranking | #252 | #245 |
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