GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
The GeForce GTX 1070 is noticeably faster than the GeForce GTX 980, leading by roughly 8% in our performance index. It is also the stronger value pick here, so it's the easy recommendation if your budget allows.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce GTX 1070 vs GeForce GTX 980: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 1070 vs GeForce GTX 980
The GeForce GTX 1070 is noticeably faster, around 8% ahead of the GeForce GTX 980. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce GTX 1070 starts at $158 GBP against $495 GBP for the GeForce GTX 980. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX 1070 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 240%. The GeForce GTX 1070 is trading below its $379 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce GTX 980 is trading below its $549 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce GTX 1070 draws just 150W versus 165W for the GeForce GTX 980, and it also delivers more performance per watt — so it runs cooler and quieter and needs less PSU headroom. Its more modern Pascal architecture on a TSMC 16nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
With 8GB against 4GB, the GeForce GTX 1070 has more headroom for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative/AI tasks where the GeForce GTX 980's 4GB can fall short. The GeForce GTX 1070's memory is also faster — 256 GB/s versus 224 GB/s — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce GTX 1070 is roughly 2 years newer than the GeForce GTX 980 (Pascal vs Maxwell), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1070 or GeForce GTX 980?
The GeForce GTX 1070 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.