GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce GTX 980
GeForce RTX 3060
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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 3060
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2014). The GeForce RTX 3060 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 3060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 53.4% higher G3D Mark score and 200% more VRAM (12 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 980.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+53.4%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-53.4%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (12 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 $289 for the GeForce RTX 3060, it costs 83% less. While it maintains lower overall performance, this results in a 276.7% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+276.7%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($289) | ✅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 3060 and GeForce GTX 980
GeForce RTX 3060
The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.
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
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the GeForce GTX 980's 11,077 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 53.4%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 980 uses Maxwell 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2,048 (GeForce GTX 980). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 4.981 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1216 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995+53% | 11,077 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Maxwell 2.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584+75% | 2048 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS+156% | 4.981 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+46% | 1216 MHz |
| ROPs | 48 | 64+33% |
| TMUs | 112 | 128+14% |
| L1 Cache | 3.5 MB+367% | 0.75 MB |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+50% | 2 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3060 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 3060 | 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 3060 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 980 has 4 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980) — a 60.7% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 980) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB+200% | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s+61% | 224 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 192-bit | 256-bit+33% |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+50% | 2 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) 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 3060 | 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 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs NVENC 3.0 (GeForce GTX 980). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs PureVideo HD VP6. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th Gen | NVENC 3.0 |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th Gen | PureVideo HD VP6 |
| Codecs | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GeForce GTX 980's 220W — a 25.6% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 500W (GeForce GTX 980). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W-23% | 220W |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 500W-9% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 2x 6-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 267mm |
| Height | 112mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75-6% | 80°C |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0+98% | 50.4 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $289, while the GeForce GTX 980 launched at $549 and now averages $50. The GeForce GTX 980 costs 82.7% less ($239 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 221.5 (GeForce GTX 980) — the GeForce GTX 980 offers 276.7% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329-40% | $549 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $289 | $50-83% |
| Performance per Dollar | 58.8 | 221.5+277% |
| Codename | GA106 | GM204 |
| Release | January 12 2021 | September 19 2014 |
| Ranking | #114 | #245 |
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