GPU Comparison

Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.

Quick Verdict

On raw speed the GeForce GTX 980 comes out dramatically faster — about 133% ahead of the Radeon R9 380X. It also wins on performance-per-dollar, making it the cleaner choice when you can afford it.

Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)

VS
NVIDIA
GeForce GTX 980
Price
$75 USD
Performance
7%
VRAM
4 GB GDDR5
Key Specs Advantage
+25% Boost Clock (1,216 MHz vs 970 MHz)
+23% Bandwidth (224.3 GB/s vs 182.4 GB/s)
Price
$349 USD
Performance
3%
VRAM
4 GB GDDR5
Key Specs Advantage

Comparable or lower specs

GeForce GTX 980 vs Radeon R9 380X: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce GTX 980 vs Radeon R9 380X

The GeForce GTX 980 is dramatically faster, around 133% ahead of the Radeon R9 380X. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p.

Price & Value

The GeForce GTX 980 currently lists from $75 USD, $274 USD less than the Radeon R9 380X at $349 USD. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX 980 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 986%. The GeForce GTX 980 is trading below its $549 USD MSRP — a genuine deal. The Radeon R9 380X still sits about $120 USD above its $229 USD MSRP.

Power & Efficiency

At 165W against 190W, the GeForce GTX 980 is both the lower-power and the more efficient card, making it the easier build to cool and power.

Features & Ecosystem

Beyond raw numbers, the GeForce GTX 980 brings NVIDIA DLSS upscaling/frame generation and stronger ray tracing, while the Radeon R9 380X offers AMD FSR upscaling and strong rasterization value. If you lean on upscaling or ray tracing, that ecosystem difference can matter as much as the frame-rate gap.

Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 980 or Radeon R9 380X?

The GeForce GTX 980 is the all-round winner here — it's faster and the better value, so buy it if it fits your budget. Only consider the Radeon R9 380X if you find it at a steep discount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce GTX 980 better than the Radeon R9 380X?

The GeForce GTX 980 is dramatically faster, roughly 133% ahead. If your budget allows, it's the stronger pick.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 980 or the Radeon R9 380X?

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 Radeon R9 380X worth the extra $274 USD over the GeForce GTX 980?

Only if you need the extra performance or features; on pure value the GeForce GTX 980 comes out ahead.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

SpecificationGeForce GTX 980Radeon R9 380X
ArchitectureMaxwellGCN 3.0
Process NodeTSMC 28nmTSMC 28nm
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / Stream Processors)2,0482,048

Clock Speeds

SpecificationGeForce GTX 980Radeon R9 380X
Base Clock1,126 MHz970 MHz
Boost Clock1,216 MHz970 MHz

Memory

SpecificationGeForce GTX 980Radeon R9 380X
VRAM Capacity4 GB4 GB
Memory TypeGDDR5GDDR5
Memory Bus256-bit256-bit
Memory Speed7 Gbps5.7 Gbps
Bandwidth224.3 GB/s182.4 GB/s

Connectivity & Power

SpecificationGeForce GTX 980Radeon R9 380X
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
TDP165 W190 W
Power Connectors2x 6-pin2x 6-pin
ReleasedSep 2014Nov 2015