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GeForce GTX 970 vs GeForce GTX 980 Ti

Quick Verdict

Performance-wise the GeForce GTX 980 Ti is out front, dramatically faster, roughly 100% up on the GeForce GTX 970. Value tips toward the GeForce GTX 970, though: $347 CAD cheaper for what you get.

Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)

VS
NVIDIA GeForce
GTX 970
Price
$288 CAD✓
Performance
5/100
VRAM
4 GB GDDR5
Key Specs Advantage
+10% Boost Clock (1,178 MHz vs 1,075 MHz)
$878 CADNVIDIA - GeForce GTX 970 4GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 Graphics Card …
$288 CADRefurbished MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB GDDR5 SLI Support ATX Graphics Card GTX 970 GAMING 4G LE
Used
NVIDIA GeForce
GTX 980 Ti
Price
$635 CAD
Performance
10/100✓
VRAM
6 GB GDDR5✓
Key Specs Advantage
+69% CUDA Cores (2,816 vs 1,664)
+50% Bandwidth (336.5 GB/s vs 224.3 GB/s)
+50% Memory Bus (384-bit vs 256-bit)
$829 CADZOTAC GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB, ZT-90501-10P
$635 CADRefurbished EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB CLASSIFIED GAMING ACX 2.0+, Whisper Silent Cooling Graphic Card 06G-P4-4997-RX
Used
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GeForce GTX 980 Ti vs GeForce GTX 970: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce GTX 980 Ti vs GeForce GTX 970

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is dramatically faster, around 100% ahead of the GeForce GTX 970. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti packs 2,816 CUDA cores versus 1,664 on the GeForce GTX 970.

Price & Value

Right now the GeForce GTX 970 starts at $288 CAD against $635 CAD for the GeForce GTX 980 Ti. Despite being slower, the GeForce GTX 970 offers the better performance-per-dollar (~10% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce GTX 970 is trading below its $329 CAD MSRP — a genuine deal.

Power & Efficiency

The GeForce GTX 970 is the lighter draw at 145W against the GeForce GTX 980 Ti's 250W, making it the easier card to power and cool. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti draws more in absolute terms but squeezes out more performance per watt, so budget for a beefier PSU if you go that route.

VRAM & Future-Proofing

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti's 6GB (vs 4GB on the GeForce GTX 970) gives it more room for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative or AI workloads. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti's memory is also faster — 337 GB/s versus 224 GB/s (384-bit vs 256-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.

Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 970 or GeForce GTX 980 Ti?

Choose the GeForce GTX 980 Ti if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce GTX 970 stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce GTX 980 Ti better than the GeForce GTX 970?

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is dramatically faster, roughly 100% ahead. The GeForce GTX 970 is still worth it if value matters more than top-end frames.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 970 or the GeForce GTX 980 Ti?

Neither is a dedicated 4K card; both are best at entry-level 1080p. For 4K you'd want a faster GPU, or lean on upscaling.

Is the GeForce GTX 980 Ti worth the extra $347 CAD over the GeForce GTX 970?

Only if you need the extra performance or features; on pure value the GeForce GTX 970 comes out ahead.

Does the GeForce GTX 980 Ti have enough VRAM advantage to matter?

Its 6GB (vs 4GB) gives real headroom for 4K, heavy texture mods, and creative/AI work. At 1080p the gap matters less.

Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 970 or GeForce GTX 980 Ti?

Choose the GeForce GTX 980 Ti if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce GTX 970 stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

Architecture & Cores specifications comparison between GeForce GTX 970 and GeForce GTX 980 Ti
SpecificationGeForce GTX 970GeForce GTX 980 Ti
ArchitectureMaxwellMaxwell
Process NodeTSMC 28nmTSMC 28nm
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores)1,6642,816✓

Clock Speeds

Clock Speeds specifications comparison between GeForce GTX 970 and GeForce GTX 980 Ti
SpecificationGeForce GTX 970GeForce GTX 980 Ti
Base Clock1,050 MHz✓1,000 MHz
Boost Clock1,178 MHz✓1,075 MHz

Memory

Memory specifications comparison between GeForce GTX 970 and GeForce GTX 980 Ti
SpecificationGeForce GTX 970GeForce GTX 980 Ti
VRAM Capacity4 GB6 GB✓
Memory TypeGDDR5GDDR5
Memory Bus256-bit384-bit✓
Memory Speed7 Gbps7 Gbps
Bandwidth224.3 GB/s336.5 GB/s✓

Connectivity & Power

Connectivity & Power specifications comparison between GeForce GTX 970 and GeForce GTX 980 Ti
SpecificationGeForce GTX 970GeForce GTX 980 Ti
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
TDP145 W✓250 W
Power Connectors2x 6-pin1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin
ReleasedSep 2014Jun 2015