GeForce GTX 1650 vs GeForce GTX 980
On performance, the GeForce GTX 1650 and GeForce GTX 980 are effectively a dead heat — under a few percent apart. Value tips toward the GeForce GTX 980, though: $60 USD cheaper for what you get.
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GeForce GTX 1650 vs GeForce GTX 980: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 1650 vs GeForce GTX 980
The GeForce GTX 1650 and GeForce GTX 980 post nearly the same score in our performance index, so neither holds a meaningful raw-speed advantage. Both are best suited to entry-level 1080p gaming.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce GTX 980 starts at $80 USD against $140 USD for the GeForce GTX 1650. Despite being slower, the GeForce GTX 980 offers the better performance-per-dollar (~75% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce GTX 980 is trading below its $549 USD MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce GTX 1650 sips power at 75W next to the GeForce GTX 980's 165W, and still leads on performance-per-watt — quieter, cooler, and gentler on your PSU. Its more modern Turing architecture on a TSMC 12nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
Memory & Bandwidth
The GeForce GTX 980's memory is faster — 224 GB/s versus 128 GB/s (256-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce GTX 1650 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 1650 or GeForce GTX 980?
Choose the GeForce GTX 1650 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce GTX 980 stretches your money further for near-identical performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce GTX 1650 better than the GeForce GTX 980?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1650 or the GeForce GTX 980?
Is the GeForce GTX 1650 worth the extra $60 USD over the GeForce GTX 980?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1650 or GeForce GTX 980?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1650 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Maxwell |
| Process Node | TSMC 12nm | TSMC 28nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 896 | 2,048✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1650 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,485 MHz✓ | 1,126 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,665 MHz✓ | 1,216 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1650 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bus | 128-bit | 256-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 8 Gbps✓ | 7 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 128 GB/s | 224.3 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1650 | GeForce GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 75 W✓ | 165 W |
| Power Connectors | None | 2x 6-pin |
| Released | Apr 2019 | Sep 2014 |