GeForce GTX 980 Ti vs GeForce RTX 2060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is a massive performance leap — leading the GeForce GTX 980 Ti by roughly 40% in our performance index.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 2060 12GB vs GeForce GTX 980 Ti: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 2060 12GB vs GeForce GTX 980 Ti
The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is dramatically faster, around 40% ahead of the GeForce GTX 980 Ti. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce GTX 980 Ti is better matched to entry-level 1080p.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB draws just 184W 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 Turing architecture on a TSMC 12nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
With 12GB against 6GB, the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB has more headroom for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative/AI tasks where the GeForce GTX 980 Ti's 6GB can fall short.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is roughly 6 years newer than the GeForce GTX 980 Ti (Turing vs Maxwell), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 980 Ti or GeForce RTX 2060 12GB?
The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is the faster card by about 40%. 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 2060 12GB better than the GeForce GTX 980 Ti?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 980 Ti or the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB?
Does the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 980 Ti or GeForce RTX 2060 12GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 Ti | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Maxwell | Turing |
| Process Node | TSMC 28nm | TSMC 12nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,816✓ | 2,176 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 Ti | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,000 MHz | 1,470 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,075 MHz | 1,650 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 Ti | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB | 12 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 384-bit✓ | 192-bit |
| Memory Speed | 7 Gbps | 14 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 336.5 GB/s✓ | 336 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 Ti | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 250 W | 184 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Jun 2015 | Dec 2021 |