GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
Market Value Leader
Market comparison is currently pending while we verify the latest benchmarks for GeForce GTX 980 and GeForce RTX 3050 6GB.
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB comes out dramatically faster — about 43% ahead of the GeForce GTX 980.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs GeForce GTX 980: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs GeForce GTX 980
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is dramatically faster, around 43% ahead of the GeForce GTX 980. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB packs 2,560 CUDA cores versus 2,048 on the GeForce GTX 980.
Power & Efficiency
At 130W against 165W, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is both the lower-power and the more efficient card, making it the easier build to cool and power. Its more modern Ampere architecture on a Samsung 8nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB carries 6GB versus 4GB on the GeForce GTX 980. The extra 2GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is roughly 8 years newer than the GeForce GTX 980 (Ampere vs Maxwell), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 980 or GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the faster card by about 43%. With live pricing limited for this pair, base your decision on the spec differences above — particularly VRAM and power draw — and check current stock before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB better than the GeForce GTX 980?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 980 or the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?
Does the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Maxwell | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 28nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,048 | 2,560✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 20 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 80 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,126 MHz | 1,552 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,216 MHz | 1,777 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 6 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 7 Gbps | 14 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 224.3 GB/s✓ | 224 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x8 |
| TDP | 165 W | 130 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 2x 6-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Sep 2014 | Jan 2022 |