GeForce GTX 980 Ti vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Raw performance is basically a wash between the GeForce GTX 980 Ti and GeForce RTX 3050 6GB — the gap is within margin of error. It also wins on performance-per-dollar, making it the cleaner choice when you can afford it.
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GeForce GTX 980 Ti vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 980 Ti vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
The GeForce GTX 980 Ti and GeForce RTX 3050 6GB 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. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti packs 2,816 CUDA cores versus 2,560 on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB.
Price & Value
Pricing has the GeForce GTX 980 Ti at $125 USD, $25 USD under the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's $150 USD. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX 980 Ti wins on performance-per-dollar by about 20%. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is trading below its $649 USD MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
Power draw favors the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (130W vs 250W), and it's the more efficient card too, so it's the easy pick if thermals or a smaller PSU matter. Its more modern Ampere architecture on a Samsung 8nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
Memory & Bandwidth
The GeForce GTX 980 Ti's memory is faster — 337 GB/s versus 224 GB/s (384-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is roughly 7 years newer than the GeForce GTX 980 Ti (Ampere 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 3050 6GB?
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 RTX 3050 6GB if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce GTX 980 Ti better than the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 980 Ti or the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB worth the extra $25 USD over the GeForce GTX 980 Ti?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 980 Ti or GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 Ti | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Maxwell | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 28nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,816✓ | 2,560 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 20 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 80 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 Ti | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,000 MHz | 1,552 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,075 MHz | 1,777 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 Ti | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB | 6 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 384-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 7 Gbps | 14 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 336.5 GB/s✓ | 224 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 Ti | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x8 |
| TDP | 250 W | 130 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Jun 2015 | Jan 2022 |