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 Laptop.
The GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop is dramatically faster than the GeForce GTX 980, leading by roughly 43% in our performance index.
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GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop vs GeForce GTX 980: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop vs GeForce GTX 980
The GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop 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.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop draws just 80W versus 165W for the GeForce GTX 980, and it also delivers more performance per watt — so it runs cooler and quieter and needs less PSU headroom. Its more modern Ampere architecture on a Samsung 8nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
Memory & Bandwidth
The GeForce GTX 980's memory is faster — 224 GB/s versus 192 GB/s (256-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop is roughly 7 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 Laptop?
The GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop 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 Laptop better than the GeForce GTX 980?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 980 or the GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Maxwell | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 28nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,048 | 2,048 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 16 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 64 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,126 MHz | 1,237 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,216 MHz | 1,500 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 7 Gbps | 12 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 224.3 GB/s✓ | 192 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x8 |
| TDP | 165 W | 80 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 2x 6-pin | None |
| Released | Sep 2014 | May 2021 |