GPU Comparison

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

Quick Verdict

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is dramatically faster than the GeForce GT 1030, leading by roughly 900% 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)

VS
Price
$85 USD
Performance
1%
VRAM
2 GB GDDR5
Key Specs Advantage
+37% Boost Clock (1,468 MHz vs 1,075 MHz)
NVIDIA
GeForce GTX 980 Ti
Price
$115 USD
Performance
10%
VRAM
6 GB GDDR5
Key Specs Advantage
+633% CUDA Cores (2,816 vs 384)
+601% Bandwidth (336.5 GB/s vs 48 GB/s)
+500% Memory Bus (384-bit vs 64-bit)

GeForce GTX 980 Ti vs GeForce GT 1030: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce GTX 980 Ti vs GeForce GT 1030

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is dramatically faster, around 900% ahead of the GeForce GT 1030. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti packs 2,816 CUDA cores versus 384 on the GeForce GT 1030.

Price & Value

Right now the GeForce GT 1030 starts at $85 USD against $115 USD for the GeForce GTX 980 Ti. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX 980 Ti wins on performance-per-dollar by about 639%. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is trading below its $649 USD MSRP — a genuine deal.

Power & Efficiency

The GeForce GT 1030 pulls less power (30W vs 250W), so it's the easier card to cool and the lighter load on your PSU. The faster GeForce GTX 980 Ti draws more overall but extracts more performance from each watt — plan for a sturdier power supply if you pick it.

VRAM & Future-Proofing

With 6GB against 2GB, the GeForce GTX 980 Ti has more headroom for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative/AI tasks where the GeForce GT 1030's 2GB can fall short. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti's memory is also faster — 337 GB/s versus 48 GB/s (384-bit vs 64-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.

Generation & Longevity

The GeForce GT 1030 is roughly 2 years newer than the GeForce GTX 980 Ti (Pascal vs Maxwell), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.

Which should you buy: GeForce GT 1030 or GeForce GTX 980 Ti?

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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 GT 1030 if you find it at a steep discount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce GTX 980 Ti better than the GeForce GT 1030?

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is dramatically faster, roughly 900% ahead. If your budget allows, it's the stronger pick.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GT 1030 or the GeForce GTX 980 Ti?

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

Is the GeForce GTX 980 Ti worth the extra $30 USD over the GeForce GT 1030?

Often yes — despite the higher price the GeForce GTX 980 Ti delivers better performance-per-dollar here.

Does the GeForce GTX 980 Ti have enough VRAM advantage to matter?

Its 6GB (vs 2GB) gives real headroom for 4K, heavy texture mods, and creative/AI work. At 1080p the gap matters less.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

SpecificationGeForce GT 1030GeForce GTX 980 Ti
ArchitecturePascalMaxwell
Process NodeSamsung 14nmTSMC 28nm
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores)3842,816

Clock Speeds

SpecificationGeForce GT 1030GeForce GTX 980 Ti
Base Clock1,227 MHz1,000 MHz
Boost Clock1,468 MHz1,075 MHz

Memory

SpecificationGeForce GT 1030GeForce GTX 980 Ti
VRAM Capacity2 GB6 GB
Memory TypeGDDR5GDDR5
Memory Bus64-bit384-bit
Memory Speed6 Gbps7 Gbps
Bandwidth48 GB/s336.5 GB/s

Connectivity & Power

SpecificationGeForce GT 1030GeForce GTX 980 Ti
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
TDP30 W250 W
Power ConnectorsNone1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin
ReleasedMay 2017Jun 2015