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 960 and GeForce GTX 980.
On raw speed the GeForce GTX 980 comes out dramatically faster — about 133% ahead of the GeForce GTX 960. It also wins on performance-per-dollar, making it the cleaner choice when you can afford it.
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Comparable or lower specs
GeForce GTX 980 vs GeForce GTX 960: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 980 vs GeForce GTX 960
The GeForce GTX 980 is dramatically faster, around 133% ahead of the GeForce GTX 960. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce GTX 980 packs 2,048 CUDA cores versus 1,024 on the GeForce GTX 960.
Price & Value
The GeForce GTX 980 currently lists from $28,966 JPY, $41,127 JPY less than the GeForce GTX 960 at $70,093 JPY. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX 980 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 465%. The GeForce GTX 980 still sits about $28,417 JPY above its $549 JPY MSRP. The GeForce GTX 960 still sits about $69,894 JPY above its $199 JPY MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the GeForce GTX 960 is the gentler choice at 120W versus 165W. The GeForce GTX 980 is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 165W draw means more heat and a bigger PSU.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce GTX 980 carries 4GB versus 2GB on the GeForce GTX 960. The extra 2GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers. The GeForce GTX 980's memory is also faster — 224 GB/s versus 112 GB/s (256-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 960 or GeForce GTX 980?
The GeForce GTX 980 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 960 if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce GTX 980 better than the GeForce GTX 960?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 960 or the GeForce GTX 980?
Is the GeForce GTX 960 worth the extra $41,127 JPY over the GeForce GTX 980?
Does the GeForce GTX 980 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Maxwell | Maxwell |
| Process Node | TSMC 28nm | TSMC 28nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 1,024 | 2,048✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,127 MHz✓ | 1,126 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,178 MHz | 1,216 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB | 4 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bus | 128-bit | 256-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 7 Gbps | 7 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 112 GB/s | 224.3 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 120 W✓ | 165 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 6-pin | 2x 6-pin |
| Released | Jan 2015 | Sep 2014 |