
Tesla M40 24GB vs GeForce GTX 980

Tesla M40 24GB
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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 Tesla M40 24GB
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 980 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 4.1% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Tesla M40 24GB offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | Tesla M40 24GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-4.1%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+4.1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 980 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 980 holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $120), it costs 58% less, resulting in a 149.8% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Tesla M40 24GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+149.8%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($120) | ✅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 Tesla M40 24GB and GeForce GTX 980

Tesla M40 24GB
The Tesla M40 24GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in November 10 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 948 MHz to 1112 MHz. It has 3072 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,641 points.

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 Tesla M40 24GB scores 10,641 and the GeForce GTX 980 reaches 11,077 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 4.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Tesla M40 24GB is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce GTX 980 uses Maxwell 2.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 3,072 (Tesla M40 24GB) vs 2,048 (GeForce GTX 980). Raw compute: 6.832 TFLOPS (Tesla M40 24GB) vs 4.981 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980). Boost clocks: 1112 MHz vs 1216 MHz.
| Feature | Tesla M40 24GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 10,641 | 11,077+4% |
| Architecture | Maxwell 2.0 | Maxwell 2.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 3072+50% | 2048 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 6.832 TFLOPS+37% | 4.981 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1112 MHz | 1216 MHz+9% |
| ROPs | 96+50% | 64 |
| TMUs | 192+50% | 128 |
| L1 Cache | 1.1 MB+47% | 0.75 MB |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+50% | 2 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Tesla M40 24GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Tesla M40 24GB comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 980 has 4 GB. The Tesla M40 24GB offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 256-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (Tesla M40 24GB) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 980) — the Tesla M40 24GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Tesla M40 24GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB+100% | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+50% | 2 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.1 (Tesla M40 24GB) vs 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 0 vs 4.
| Feature | Tesla M40 24GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.1 | 12.1 |
| Vulkan | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Max Displays | 0 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 4.0 (2x) (Tesla M40 24GB) vs NVENC 3.0 (GeForce GTX 980). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs PureVideo HD VP6. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (Tesla M40 24GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980).
| Feature | Tesla M40 24GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 4.0 (2x) | NVENC 3.0 |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP6 | PureVideo HD VP6 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The Tesla M40 24GB draws 250W versus the GeForce GTX 980's 220W — a 12.8% difference. The GeForce GTX 980 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Tesla M40 24GB) vs 500W (GeForce GTX 980). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | Tesla M40 24GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 250W | 220W-12% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 500W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | 2x 6-pin |
| Length | 267mm | 267mm |
| Height | 112mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 80°C-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 42.6 | 50.4+18% |
Value Analysis
The Tesla M40 24GB launched at $2000 MSRP and currently averages $120, while the GeForce GTX 980 launched at $549 and now averages $50. The GeForce GTX 980 costs 58.3% less ($70 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 88.7 (Tesla M40 24GB) vs 221.5 (GeForce GTX 980) — the GeForce GTX 980 offers 149.7% better value. The Tesla M40 24GB is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2014).
| Feature | Tesla M40 24GB | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2000 | $549-73% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $120 | $50-58% |
| Performance per Dollar | 88.7 | 221.5+150% |
| Codename | GM200 | GM204 |
| Release | November 10 2015 | September 19 2014 |
| Ranking | #253 | #245 |
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