GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
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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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 960 currently lists from $640 EUR, $184 EUR less than the GeForce GTX 980 at $824 EUR. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX 980 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 81%. The GeForce GTX 960 still sits about $441 EUR above its $199 EUR MSRP. The GeForce GTX 980 still sits about $275 EUR above its $549 EUR 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.