GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU vs GeForce GTX 980
GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU
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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 A Laptop GPU
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU is significantly newer (2022 vs 2014). The GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU 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 RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.5% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 980.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.5%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.5%) |
| 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 (4 GB) | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU 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 RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU and GeForce GTX 980
GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU
The GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU 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: 11,240 points. Launch price was $249.
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 A Laptop GPU scores 11,240 and the GeForce GTX 980 reaches 11,077 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 980 uses Maxwell 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) vs 2,048 (GeForce GTX 980). Raw compute: 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) vs 4.981 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1216 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 11,240+1% | 11,077 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Maxwell 2.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560+25% | 2048 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 9.098 TFLOPS+83% | 4.981 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+46% | 1216 MHz |
| ROPs | 32 | 64+100% |
| TMUs | 80 | 128+60% |
| L1 Cache | 2.5 MB+233% | 0.75 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 2 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU 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 A Laptop GPU | 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)
Both cards feature 4 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 128 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980) — a 75% advantage for the GeForce GTX 980. Bus width: 64-bit vs 256-bit.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 128 GB/s | 224 GB/s+75% |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 256-bit+300% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 2 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12_2 (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) vs 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980). Maximum simultaneous displays: 0 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12_2 | 12.1 |
| Max Displays | 0 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) vs NVENC 3.0 (GeForce GTX 980). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs PureVideo HD VP6. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th Gen | NVENC 3.0 |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th Gen | PureVideo HD VP6 |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU draws 130W versus the GeForce GTX 980's 220W — a 51.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) vs 500W (GeForce GTX 980). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 1mm vs 267mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 130W-41% | 220W |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 500W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | 2x 6-pin |
| Length | 1mm | 267mm |
| Height | — | 111mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 80°C |
| Perf/Watt | 86.5+72% | 50.4 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $549 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $50 |
| Codename | GA106 | GM204 |
| Release | January 4 2022 | September 19 2014 |
| Ranking | #211 | #245 |
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