GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
On raw speed the GeForce GTX 980 comes out significantly faster — about 20% ahead of the Radeon RX 6500 XT. But the Radeon RX 6500 XT is the better value, undercutting it by $718 for the performance you get.
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GeForce GTX 980 vs Radeon RX 6500 XT: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 980 vs Radeon RX 6500 XT
The GeForce GTX 980 is significantly faster, around 20% ahead of the Radeon RX 6500 XT. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p.
Price & Value
The Radeon RX 6500 XT currently lists from $527, $718 less than the GeForce GTX 980 at $1,245. Despite being slower, the Radeon RX 6500 XT offers the better performance-per-dollar (~97% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The Radeon RX 6500 XT still sits about $327 above its $200 MSRP. The GeForce GTX 980 still sits about $696 above its $549 MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
At 113W against 165W, the Radeon RX 6500 XT is both the lower-power and the more efficient card, making it the easier build to cool and power.
Generation & Longevity
The Radeon RX 6500 XT is roughly 8 years newer than the GeForce GTX 980, so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Features & Ecosystem
Beyond raw numbers, the Radeon RX 6500 XT brings AMD FSR upscaling and strong rasterization value, while the GeForce GTX 980 offers NVIDIA DLSS upscaling/frame generation and stronger ray tracing. If you lean on upscaling or ray tracing, that ecosystem difference can matter as much as the frame-rate gap.
Which should you buy: Radeon RX 6500 XT or GeForce GTX 980?
Choose the GeForce GTX 980 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the Radeon RX 6500 XT stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.