GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs GeForce GTX 980M SLI
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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GeForce GTX 980M SLI
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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 GeForce GTX 980M SLI
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 RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 980M SLI |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.1%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.1%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (8 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 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 RTX 3050 8GB and GeForce GTX 980M SLI
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 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.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB scores 12,535 and the GeForce GTX 980M SLI reaches 12,523 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 980M SLI uses Maxwell, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 3,072 (GeForce GTX 980M SLI). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1127 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 980M SLI |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 12,535 | 12,523 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Maxwell |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560 | 3072+20% |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+58% | 1127 MHz |
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 980M SLI relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 980M SLI |
|---|---|---|
| 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 8 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 160 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980M SLI) — a 40% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 980M SLI |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 224 GB/s+40% | 160 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 256-bit+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980M SLI). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.4. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 980M SLI |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12.1 |
| Vulkan | 1.4+27% | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.6+5% | 4.4 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs NVENC 4.0 (2x) (GeForce GTX 980M SLI). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs PureVideo HD VP6 (2x). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980M SLI).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 980M SLI |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th gen | NVENC 4.0 (2x) |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | PureVideo HD VP6 (2x) |
| 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 980M SLI's 200W — a 42.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 500W (GeForce GTX 980M SLI). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 1x 6-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 980M SLI |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 130W-35% | 200W |
| Recommended PSU | 450W-10% | 500W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 267mm |
| Height | 112mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 66°C-22% | 85°C |
| Perf/Watt | 96.4+54% | 62.6 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 980M SLI |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $249 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $209 | — |
| Codename | GA106 | — |
| Release | January 4 2022 | October 7 2014 |
| Ranking | #211 | #263 |
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