GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 3050 comes out noticeably faster — about 8% ahead of the GeForce GTX 980. But the GeForce GTX 980 is the better value, undercutting it by $125 USD for the performance you get.
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GeForce RTX 3050 vs GeForce GTX 980: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3050 vs GeForce GTX 980
The GeForce RTX 3050 is noticeably faster, around 8% ahead of the GeForce GTX 980. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p.
Price & Value
The GeForce GTX 980 currently lists from $85 USD, $125 USD less than the GeForce RTX 3050 at $210 USD. Despite being slower, the GeForce GTX 980 offers the better performance-per-dollar (~128% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce GTX 980 is trading below its $549 USD MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce RTX 3050 is trading below its $249 USD MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
At 130W against 165W, the GeForce RTX 3050 is both the lower-power and the more efficient card, making it the easier build to cool and power.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 3050 carries 8GB versus 4GB on the GeForce GTX 980. The extra 4GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3050 is roughly 8 years newer than the GeForce GTX 980, so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3050 or GeForce GTX 980?
Choose the GeForce RTX 3050 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 only slightly lower performance.