GeForce GTX 980 vs GeForce GTX TITAN X
On raw speed the GeForce GTX TITAN X comes out ahead: well ahead on speed, about 29% ahead of the GeForce GTX 980. Best performance and best value in one card here — the clear recommendation if you can afford it.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce GTX TITAN X vs GeForce GTX 980: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX TITAN X vs GeForce GTX 980
The GeForce GTX TITAN X is significantly faster, around 29% ahead of the GeForce GTX 980. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce GTX TITAN X packs 3,072 CUDA cores versus 2,048 on the GeForce GTX 980.
Price & Value
The GeForce GTX 980 currently lists from $998 EUR, $200 EUR less than the GeForce GTX TITAN X at $1,198 EUR. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX TITAN X wins on performance-per-dollar by about 7%. The GeForce GTX 980 still sits about $449 EUR above its $549 EUR MSRP. The GeForce GTX TITAN X still sits about $199 EUR above its $999 EUR MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
At 165W against 250W, the GeForce GTX 980 is both the lower-power and the more efficient card, making it the easier build to cool and power.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
VRAM favors the GeForce GTX TITAN X at 12GB versus 4GB on the GeForce GTX 980 — that extra 8GB matters most at 4K, with high-res texture packs, and for content-creation/local-AI work. The GeForce GTX TITAN X'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 980 or GeForce GTX TITAN X?
The GeForce GTX TITAN X is the all-round winner here — it's faster and the better value, so buy it if it fits your budget. Only consider the GeForce GTX 980 if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce GTX TITAN X better than the GeForce GTX 980?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 980 or the GeForce GTX TITAN X?
Is the GeForce GTX TITAN X worth the extra $200 EUR over the GeForce GTX 980?
Does the GeForce GTX TITAN X have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 980 or GeForce GTX TITAN X?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce GTX TITAN X |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Maxwell | Maxwell |
| Process Node | TSMC 28nm | TSMC 28nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,048 | 3,072✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce GTX TITAN X |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,126 MHz✓ | 1,000 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,216 MHz✓ | 1,075 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce GTX TITAN X |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 12 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 384-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 7 Gbps | 7 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 224.3 GB/s | 336.5 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce GTX TITAN X |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 165 W✓ | 250 W |
| Power Connectors | 2x 6-pin | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Sep 2014 | Mar 2015 |