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.
The GeForce RTX 2080 Laptop is dramatically faster than the GeForce GTX 980, leading by roughly 157% in our performance index.
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Comparable or lower specs
GeForce RTX 2080 Laptop vs GeForce GTX 980: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 2080 Laptop vs GeForce GTX 980
The GeForce RTX 2080 Laptop is dramatically faster, around 157% ahead of the GeForce GTX 980. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 2080 Laptop is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce GTX 980 is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 2080 Laptop packs 2,944 CUDA cores versus 2,048 on the GeForce GTX 980.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 2080 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 Turing architecture on a TSMC 12nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
With 8GB against 4GB, the GeForce RTX 2080 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 RTX 2080 Laptop's memory is also faster — 448 GB/s versus 224 GB/s — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 2080 Laptop is roughly 5 years newer than the GeForce GTX 980 (Turing vs Maxwell), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 980 or GeForce RTX 2080 Laptop?
The GeForce RTX 2080 Laptop is the faster card by about 157%. 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 RTX 2080 Laptop better than the GeForce GTX 980?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 980 or the GeForce RTX 2080 Laptop?
Does the GeForce RTX 2080 Laptop have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 2080 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Maxwell | Turing |
| Process Node | TSMC 28nm | TSMC 12nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,048 | 2,944✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 46 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 368 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 2080 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,126 MHz | 1,380 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,216 MHz | 1,590 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 2080 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory Speed | 7 Gbps | 14 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 224.3 GB/s | 448 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce RTX 2080 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 165 W | 150 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 2x 6-pin | None |
| Released | Sep 2014 | Jan 2019 |