GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB comes out noticeably faster — about 8% ahead of the GeForce GTX 980. It also wins on performance-per-dollar, making it the cleaner choice when you can afford it.
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GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs GeForce GTX 980: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs GeForce GTX 980
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB 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. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB packs 2,560 CUDA cores versus 2,048 on the GeForce GTX 980.
Price & Value
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB currently lists from $180 GBP, $315 GBP less than the GeForce GTX 980 at $495 GBP. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB wins on performance-per-dollar by about 198%. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is trading below its $249 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce GTX 980 is trading below its $549 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
At 130W against 165W, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is both the lower-power and the more efficient card, making it the easier build to cool and power. Its more modern Ampere architecture on a Samsung 8nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB carries 8GB versus 4GB on the GeForce GTX 980. The extra 4GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is roughly 8 years newer than the GeForce GTX 980 (Ampere vs Maxwell), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3050 8GB or GeForce GTX 980?
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB 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.