GeForce GTX 970 vs GeForce GTX 980
Performance-wise the GeForce GTX 980 is out front, dramatically faster, roughly 40% up on the GeForce GTX 970. It is also the stronger value pick here, so it's the easy recommendation if your budget allows.
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GeForce GTX 980 vs GeForce GTX 970: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 980 vs GeForce GTX 970
The GeForce GTX 980 is dramatically faster, around 40% ahead of the GeForce GTX 970. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce GTX 980 packs 2,048 CUDA cores versus 1,664 on the GeForce GTX 970.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce GTX 970 starts at $1,800 AED against $1,900 AED for the GeForce GTX 980. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX 980 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 33%. The GeForce GTX 970 still sits about $1,471 AED above its $329 AED MSRP. The GeForce GTX 980 still sits about $1,351 AED above its $549 AED MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce GTX 970 is the lighter draw at 145W against the GeForce GTX 980's 165W, making it the easier card to power and cool. The GeForce GTX 980 draws more in absolute terms but squeezes out more performance per watt, so budget for a beefier PSU if you go that route.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 970 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 970 if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce GTX 980 better than the GeForce GTX 970?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 970 or the GeForce GTX 980?
Is the GeForce GTX 980 worth the extra $101 AED over the GeForce GTX 970?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 970 or GeForce GTX 980?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Maxwell | Maxwell |
| Process Node | TSMC 28nm | TSMC 28nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 1,664 | 2,048✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,050 MHz | 1,126 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,178 MHz | 1,216 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory Speed | 7 Gbps | 7 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 224.3 GB/s | 224.3 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 145 W✓ | 165 W |
| Power Connectors | 2x 6-pin | 2x 6-pin |
| Released | Sep 2014 | Sep 2014 |