GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs GeForce GTX 980 Ti
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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GeForce GTX 980 Ti
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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 8GB
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is significantly newer (2022 vs 2015). 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 980 Ti lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 9.4% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 980 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-9.4%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+9.4%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (8 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 Ti offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $100 versus $209 for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB, it costs 52% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 128.6% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 980 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+128.6%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($209) | ✅More affordable ($100) |
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 8GB and GeForce GTX 980 Ti
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.
GeForce GTX 980 Ti
The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 2 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1000 MHz to 1075 MHz. It has 2816 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 13,711 points. Launch price was $649.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB scores 12,535 versus the GeForce GTX 980 Ti's 13,711 — the GeForce GTX 980 Ti leads by 9.4%. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 980 Ti uses Maxwell 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 2,816 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti). Raw compute: 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 6.06 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980 Ti). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1075 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 980 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 12,535 | 13,711+9% |
| Architecture | Ampere | Maxwell 2.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560 | 2816+10% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 9.098 TFLOPS+50% | 6.06 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+65% | 1075 MHz |
| ROPs | 32 | 96+200% |
| TMUs | 80 | 176+120% |
| L1 Cache | 2.5 MB+150% | 1 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 3 MB+50% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 980 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| 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 8GB comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 980 Ti has 6 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 336 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) — a 50% advantage for the GeForce GTX 980 Ti. Bus width: 128-bit vs 384-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 3 MB (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) — the GeForce GTX 980 Ti has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 980 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB+33% | 6 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 224 GB/s | 336 GB/s+50% |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 384-bit+200% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 3 MB+50% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 980 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12.1 |
| Vulkan | 1.4+27% | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.6+2% | 4.5 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs NVENC 3.0 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs PureVideo HD VP6. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980 Ti).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 980 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th gen | NVENC 3.0 |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | PureVideo HD VP6 |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB draws 130W versus the GeForce GTX 980 Ti's 250W — a 63.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 600W (GeForce GTX 980 Ti). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 66°C vs 85°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 980 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 130W-48% | 250W |
| Recommended PSU | 450W-25% | 600W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 6-pin + 8-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 267mm |
| Height | 112mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 66°C-22% | 85°C |
| Perf/Watt | 96.4+76% | 54.8 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 MSRP and currently averages $209, while the GeForce GTX 980 Ti launched at $649 and now averages $100. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti costs 52.2% less ($109 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 60.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 137.1 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) — the GeForce GTX 980 Ti offers 128.5% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 980 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $249-62% | $649 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $209 | $100-52% |
| Performance per Dollar | 60.0 | 137.1+129% |
| Codename | GA106 | GM200 |
| Release | January 4 2022 | June 2 2015 |
| Ranking | #211 | #179 |
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