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 GTX 1050 Ti, leading by roughly 150% 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
$100 USD
Performance
4%
VRAM
4 GB GDDR5
Key Specs Advantage
+29% Boost Clock (1,392 MHz vs 1,075 MHz)
NVIDIA
GeForce GTX 980 Ti
Price
$115 USD
Performance
10%
VRAM
6 GB GDDR5
Key Specs Advantage
+267% CUDA Cores (2,816 vs 768)
+200% Bandwidth (336.5 GB/s vs 112 GB/s)
+200% Memory Bus (384-bit vs 128-bit)

GeForce GTX 980 Ti vs GeForce GTX 1050 Ti: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce GTX 980 Ti vs GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is dramatically faster, around 150% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti. 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 768 on the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti.

Price & Value

Right now the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti starts at $100 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 117%. The GeForce GTX 1050 Ti is trading below its $139 USD MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is trading below its $649 USD MSRP — a genuine deal.

Power & Efficiency

The GeForce GTX 1050 Ti draws just 75W versus 250W for the GeForce GTX 980 Ti, 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 Samsung 14nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.

VRAM & Future-Proofing

With 6GB against 4GB, the GeForce GTX 980 Ti has more headroom for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative/AI tasks where the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti's 4GB can fall short. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti's memory is also faster — 337 GB/s versus 112 GB/s (384-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.

Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 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 GTX 1050 Ti if you find it at a steep discount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce GTX 980 Ti better than the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti?

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is dramatically faster, roughly 150% ahead. If your budget allows, it's the stronger pick.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 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 $15 USD over the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti?

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 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 1050 TiGeForce GTX 980 Ti
ArchitecturePascalMaxwell
Process NodeSamsung 14nmTSMC 28nm
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores)7682,816

Clock Speeds

SpecificationGeForce GTX 1050 TiGeForce GTX 980 Ti
Base Clock1,290 MHz1,000 MHz
Boost Clock1,392 MHz1,075 MHz

Memory

SpecificationGeForce GTX 1050 TiGeForce GTX 980 Ti
VRAM Capacity4 GB6 GB
Memory TypeGDDR5GDDR5
Memory Bus128-bit384-bit
Memory Speed7 Gbps7 Gbps
Bandwidth112 GB/s336.5 GB/s

Connectivity & Power

SpecificationGeForce GTX 1050 TiGeForce GTX 980 Ti
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
TDP75 W250 W
Power ConnectorsNone1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin
ReleasedOct 2016Jun 2015