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GeForce GTX 980 vs Radeon RX 570

Quick Verdict

On raw speed the GeForce GTX 980 comes out noticeably faster — about 17% ahead of the Radeon RX 570. But the Radeon RX 570 is the better value, undercutting it by $274 EUR for the performance you get.

Market Value Leader

Radeon RX 570 is the clear winner, offering 30.5% better value than GeForce GTX 980.

Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)

VS
Price
€798
Performance
7/100
VRAM
4 GB GDDR5
Key Specs Advantage

Comparable or lower specs

AMD
Radeon RX 570
Price
€524
Performance
6/100
VRAM
4 GB GDDR5
Key Specs Advantage
+2% Boost Clock (1,244 MHz vs 1,216 MHz)

GeForce GTX 980 vs Radeon RX 570: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce GTX 980 vs Radeon RX 570

The GeForce GTX 980 is noticeably faster, around 17% ahead of the Radeon RX 570. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p.

Price & Value

The Radeon RX 570 currently lists from $524 EUR, $274 EUR less than the GeForce GTX 980 at $798 EUR. Despite being slower, the Radeon RX 570 offers the better performance-per-dollar (~31% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The Radeon RX 570 still sits about $355 EUR above its $169 EUR MSRP. The GeForce GTX 980 still sits about $249 EUR above its $549 EUR MSRP.

Power & Efficiency

On power, the Radeon RX 570 is the gentler choice at 150W 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.

Generation & Longevity

The Radeon RX 570 is roughly 3 years newer than the GeForce GTX 980 (GCN 4.0 (Polaris) vs Maxwell), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.

Features & Ecosystem

Beyond raw numbers, the GeForce GTX 980 brings NVIDIA DLSS upscaling/frame generation and stronger ray tracing, while the Radeon RX 570 offers AMD FSR upscaling and strong rasterization value. If you lean on upscaling or ray tracing, that ecosystem difference can matter as much as the frame-rate gap.

Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 980 or Radeon RX 570?

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 570 stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce GTX 980 better than the Radeon RX 570?

The GeForce GTX 980 is noticeably faster, roughly 17% ahead. The Radeon RX 570 is still worth it if value matters more than top-end frames.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 980 or the Radeon RX 570?

Neither is a dedicated 4K card; both are best at entry-level 1080p. For 4K you'd want a faster GPU, or lean on upscaling.

Is the GeForce GTX 980 worth the extra $274 EUR over the Radeon RX 570?

Only if you need the extra performance or features; on pure value the Radeon RX 570 comes out ahead.

Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 980 or Radeon RX 570?

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 570 stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

Architecture & Cores specifications comparison between GeForce GTX 980 and Radeon RX 570
SpecificationGeForce GTX 980Radeon RX 570
ArchitectureMaxwellGCN 4.0 (Polaris)
Process NodeTSMC 28nmGloFo 14nm
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / Stream Processors)2,0482,048

Clock Speeds

Clock Speeds specifications comparison between GeForce GTX 980 and Radeon RX 570
SpecificationGeForce GTX 980Radeon RX 570
Base Clock1,126 MHz1,168 MHz
Boost Clock1,216 MHz1,244 MHz

Memory

Memory specifications comparison between GeForce GTX 980 and Radeon RX 570
SpecificationGeForce GTX 980Radeon RX 570
VRAM Capacity4 GB4 GB
Memory TypeGDDR5GDDR5
Memory Bus256-bit256-bit
Memory Speed7 Gbps7 Gbps
Bandwidth224.3 GB/s224 GB/s

Connectivity & Power

Connectivity & Power specifications comparison between GeForce GTX 980 and Radeon RX 570
SpecificationGeForce GTX 980Radeon RX 570
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
TDP165 W150 W
Power Connectors2x 6-pin1x 8-pin
ReleasedSep 2014Apr 2017