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GPU Comparison

Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.

Market Value Leader

Only verified data for GeForce GTX 980 is available. Benchmarks for other models are currently being processed.

Quick Verdict

The GeForce GTX 1080 Laptop is dramatically faster than the GeForce GTX 980, leading by roughly 100% in our performance index.

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

VS
NVIDIA
GeForce GTX 1080 Laptop
Price
Reference GPU
Performance
14/100✓
VRAM
8 GB GDDR5X✓
Key Specs Advantage
+43% Bandwidth (320 GB/s vs 224.3 GB/s)
+43% Boost Clock (1,733 MHz vs 1,216 MHz)
+25% CUDA Cores (2,560 vs 2,048)
NVIDIA
GeForce GTX 980
Price
£469✓
Performance
7/100
VRAM
4 GB GDDR5
Key Specs Advantage

Comparable or lower specs

Skip to Spec Sheets ↓

GeForce GTX 1080 Laptop vs GeForce GTX 980: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce GTX 1080 Laptop vs GeForce GTX 980

The GeForce GTX 1080 Laptop is dramatically faster, around 100% ahead of the GeForce GTX 980. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce GTX 1080 Laptop is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce GTX 980 is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce GTX 1080 Laptop packs 2,560 CUDA cores versus 2,048 on the GeForce GTX 980.

Power & Efficiency

The GeForce GTX 1080 Laptop 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 1080 Laptop 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 1080 Laptop's memory is also faster — 320 GB/s versus 224 GB/s — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.

Generation & Longevity

The GeForce GTX 1080 Laptop 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 1080 Laptop or GeForce GTX 980?

The GeForce GTX 1080 Laptop is the faster card by about 100%. With live pricing limited for this pair, base your decision on the spec differences above — particularly VRAM and power draw — and check current stock before buying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce GTX 1080 Laptop better than the GeForce GTX 980?

The GeForce GTX 1080 Laptop is dramatically faster, roughly 100% ahead. If your budget allows, it's the stronger pick.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1080 Laptop or the GeForce GTX 980?

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

Does the GeForce GTX 1080 Laptop have enough VRAM advantage to matter?

Its 8GB (vs 4GB) gives real headroom for 4K, heavy texture mods, and creative/AI work. At 1080p the gap matters less.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

SpecificationGeForce GTX 1080 LaptopGeForce GTX 980
ArchitecturePascalMaxwell
Process NodeTSMC 16nmTSMC 28nm
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores)2,560✓2,048
Ray Tracing Cores0—
Tensor / AI Cores0—

Clock Speeds

SpecificationGeForce GTX 1080 LaptopGeForce GTX 980
Base Clock1,556 MHz✓1,126 MHz
Boost Clock1,733 MHz✓1,216 MHz

Memory

SpecificationGeForce GTX 1080 LaptopGeForce GTX 980
VRAM Capacity8 GB✓4 GB
Memory TypeGDDR5XGDDR5
Memory Bus256-bit256-bit
Memory Speed10 Gbps✓7 Gbps
Bandwidth320 GB/s✓224.3 GB/s

Connectivity & Power

SpecificationGeForce GTX 1080 LaptopGeForce GTX 980
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
TDP150 W✓165 W
Power ConnectorsNone2x 6-pin
ReleasedAug 2016Sep 2014
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