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GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£55
  • Avg. price in US: ~$65
  • VRAM: 4 GB
  • Memory bus width: 256 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 165 W

GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 review. Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among graphics cards and if it is worth buying.

4.4

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the graphics card's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best graphics cards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

4.1

Technical Score

10.0%

7.1

User score

Poor
4.1

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

2.7

Performance

24.0%

3.4

Memory

12.0%

7.4

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.1

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.8

Design

4.0%

7.6

Connectivity & Media

Poor
7.1

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

7.6

User reviews

30.0%

6.0

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.8
(98)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.6
(92)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Very good
  • 6.4
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 5.7
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.4
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.1
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 5.7
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

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Best prices in UK

Best rankings

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 G1 Gaming is a high-performance graphics card built on NVIDIA's 28nm Maxwell architecture, featuring 2,048 CUDA cores, 128 texture mapping units, and 64 ROPs. This specific Gigabyte model is factory overclocked with a base clock of 1228 MHz and a boost clock of 1329 MHz, paired with 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit interface. Its primary characteristics include the advanced Windforce 3X cooling system, which uses three unique blade fans and multiple copper heat pipes to maintain low temperatures and quiet operation under load. Main pros include exceptional overclocking headroom, highly efficient power consumption relative to performance, and a flexible display output configuration including three DisplayPorts, HDMI 2.0, and two DVI ports. Notable cons involve its 4 GB VRAM capacity, which serves as a bottleneck for modern AAA titles at high resolutions, and a high launch price that made it a lower value-for-money option compared to contemporary alternatives like the GTX 970.

Technical Specifications of GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

2.7

Performance

24.0%

3.4

Memory

12.0%

7.4

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.1

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.8

Design

4.0%

7.6

Connectivity & Media

4.1
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a technical score of 4.12 points, which is lower than that of 88.6% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

7.6

User reviews

30.0%

6.0

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.8
(98)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.6
(92)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

7.1
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a user score of 7.12 points, which is lower than that of 90.2% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
6.0
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a popularity of 6 points, which is higher than 65.4% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

4.4

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

6.1
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.1 points, which is lower than 79.1% of products in this category.
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Time Spy, a synthetic DirectX 12 test often used as a quick gaming-performance reference.
When it matters: When you need a fast rough performance sort before digging into game-specific reviews and frame-rate data.

Importance: LOW

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3DMark Port Royal score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Port Royal, a synthetic test focused on ray tracing performance.
When it matters: When ray tracing matters in the games you actually play and you want one quick way to separate stronger and weaker RT cards.

Importance: LOW

N/A
PassMark (G3D) result
What it is: Overall GPU performance score in PassMark G3D benchmark
When it matters: When you need one broad score to sort cards into rough performance tiers.

Importance: LOW

?
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
What it is: PassMark score for DirectCompute performance tests
When it matters: When compute workloads matter alongside gaming performance.

Importance: LOW

?
Floating-point performance
What it is: Theoretical floating-point compute performance of the GPU.
When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

Importance: LOW

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VRAM
What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

Importance: HIGH

4 GB
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has 4 GB of VRAM, which is less than 88% of graphics cards and equal to 6% of graphics cards.
Memory type
What it is: Type of graphics memory used (GDDR6, HBM2e, etc.)
When it matters: When memory technology is part of the buying decision because it affects bandwidth class, power use, and product positioning.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
GDDR version
What it is: Generation of GDDR memory used by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you want to separate older memory generations from newer ones before comparing bandwidth, power behavior, and market tier.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 uses GDDR5 memory, which is older than on 85% of graphics cards and equal to 13.2% of graphics cards.
Memory bus width
What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

Importance: HIGH

256 bit
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 uses a 256 bit memory bus, which is wider than that of 49.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 36.1% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

Importance: HIGH

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PCI Express (PCIe) version
What it is: Version of PCI Express interface supported
When it matters: When you are pairing the card with an older motherboard and want to avoid leaving bandwidth or future compatibility on the table.

Importance: LOW

3.0
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports PCIe 3.0, which is older than on 77.6% of graphics cards and equal to 20.3% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
What it is: Number of PCI Express lanes used for communication
When it matters: When limited lane width could bottleneck the card in some systems.

Importance: LOW

x16
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 uses x16 PCIe lanes, which is more than 31.5% of graphics cards and equal to 68.6% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
What it is: Highest supported DirectX API version
When it matters: When you play newer Windows games that depend on the latest graphics features.

Importance: LOW

12.1
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports DirectX 12.1, which is older than on 87.7% of graphics cards and equal to 4.9% of graphics cards.
Vulkan version
What it is: Highest supported Vulkan API version
When it matters: When modern games, emulators, or creative apps lean on Vulkan support.

Importance: LOW

1.4
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports Vulkan 1.4, which is more advanced than on 26.6% of graphics cards and equal to 73.4% of graphics cards.
OpenGL version
What it is: Highest supported OpenGL API version
When it matters: When older games or pro apps still depend on OpenGL compatibility.

Importance: LOW

4.6
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 4.8% of graphics cards and equal to 95.2% of graphics cards.
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Max displays supported
What it is: Total number of external displays supported simultaneously
When it matters: When you run a multi-monitor desk for sim racing, trading, or editing.

Importance: LOW

4
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports up to 4 displays, which is more than 7.8% of graphics cards and equal to 89.2% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
What it is: Maximum supported digital display resolution
When it matters: When you plan to drive 4K or 8K panels at their native resolution.

Importance: LOW

4096x2160
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports a maximum digital resolution of 4096x2160, which is lower than that of 56.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.4% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort outputs
What it is: Number of DisplayPort video outputs
When it matters: When your setup needs several high-refresh monitors without adapters.

Importance: LOW

3
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 offers 3 DisplayPort outputs, which is more than 20.9% of graphics cards and equal to 77.3% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
What it is: Version of DisplayPort standard supported
When it matters: When your monitor setup depends on newer DisplayPort features for higher refresh rates, higher resolution, or better cable flexibility.

Importance: LOW

1.2
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports DisplayPort 1.2, which is older than on 93.6% of graphics cards and equal to 4.8% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
What it is: Supported data link rates for DisplayPort connections
When it matters: When you are pushing high resolution and refresh rate over DisplayPort.

Importance: LOW

5.4 Gbps
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports DisplayPort link rates up to 5.4 Gbps, which is slower than on 90.9% of graphics cards and equal to 8% of graphics cards.
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Thermal Design Power (TDP)
What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

Importance: MEDIUM

165 W
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a TDP of 165 W, which is lower than that of 65.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.6% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
What it is: Peak power draw of the graphics card under maximum load.
When it matters: When transient-heavy gaming loads could stress your power supply.

Importance: LOW

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Recommended PSU wattage
What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

Importance: LOW

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Board power limit
What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

Importance: LOW

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PCIe power spec
What it is: PCIe power delivery specification followed
When it matters: When you are checking whether the slot and external cables match the card's intended power-delivery standard.

Importance: LOW

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Size
What it is: Physical size of the GPU card
When it matters: When you need the card to fit a compact case without blocking nearby hardware.

Importance: LOW

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Length
What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

Importance: LOW

312 mm
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 is 312 mm long, which is longer than 68.9% of graphics cards and equal in length to 0.6% of graphics cards.
Height
What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

Importance: LOW

111 mm
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 is 111 mm tall, which is shorter than 89.6% of graphics cards and equal in height to 5.6% of graphics cards.
Slot width
What it is: Number of PCIe slots occupied by the card
When it matters: When you need room for another PCIe card or better airflow under the GPU.

Importance: LOW

2 slot/s
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 occupies 2 slot/s, which is slimmer than 49.2% of graphics cards and equal in width to 47.3% of graphics cards.
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the graphics card
When it matters: When sag, bracket support, or shipping stress matters in your build.

Importance: LOW

1,196 g
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 weighs 1196 g, which is heavier than 61.4% of graphics cards.
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GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 vs the average graphics card

  • Includes dual BIOS
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 includes dual BIOS, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Includes dual BIOS for redundancy or overclocking profiles
    When it matters: When you want a safer recovery path after tweaking fan curves or overclock settings, or you need separate quiet and performance profiles.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 includes dual BIOS, the average graphics card does not.
  • 16 mm lower card height
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
    What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
    When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.111 mm vs 127 mm
  • 23.3% lower TDP
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (165 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
    When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (165 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.165 W vs 215 W
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
    What it is: Number of DVI display outputs available
    When it matters: When you still use an older monitor that depends on DVI.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.1 vs 0
  • 9.64x cheaper
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£55 vs £530).
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£55 vs £530).£55 vs £530
  • 0.2% faster VRAM clock
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,753 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
    What it is: Speed at which the GPU memory operates
    When it matters: When you want more context on how quickly the card's VRAM can move data.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,753 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.1753 MHz vs 1750 MHz
  • Supports NVLink
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA NVLink or bridge connection for multi-GPU setups
    When it matters: When a professional or niche multi-GPU workflow needs a bridge connection.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • 0.2% faster VRAM clock
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,753 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • Supports NVLink
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • Includes dual BIOS
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 includes dual BIOS, the average graphics card does not.
  • 23.3% lower TDP
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (165 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 16 mm lower card height
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.

Total
Overall
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design
  • 51.4% lower boost clock speed
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,216 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
  • 24 fewer compute units
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (16 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 41.3% lower base clock speed
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,127 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 61.7% lower texture rate
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (144.3 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 78.2% lower FP32 performance
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (5 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.
  • 56 fewer TMUs
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (128 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 99.7% lower FP16 performance
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower FP16 performance than the average graphics card (0.1 TFLOPS vs 29.5 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP16 performance of 29.5 TFLOPS.
  • 66.5% lower FP64 performance
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower FP64 performance than the average graphics card (0.2 TFLOPS vs 0.4651 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP64 performance of 0.4651 TFLOPS.
  • 2,304 fewer FP32 units
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (2,048 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
  • 8 GB less VRAM
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 63.1% slower memory speed
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (7,012 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 93.8% smaller L2 cache
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has fewer L2 cache than the average graphics card (2 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • 62.5% smaller L1 cache
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (48 vs 128). The average graphics card has 128 L1 cache.
  • 5.6x larger process node
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
  • 9 older
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,014 vs 2,023).
  • Older PCIe version
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • No XeSS support
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DirectX version
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports an older DirectX version than the average graphics card (12.1 vs 12 Ultimate).
  • No sampler feedback
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • 30.8% larger GPU die
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a higher GPU die size than the average graphics card (398 mm² vs 304.25 mm²). The average graphics card has a GPU die size of 304.25 mm².
  • 76.3% fewer transistors
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (5,200 million vs 21,900 million). The average graphics card has 21,900 million transistors.
  • No AV1 encoding
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDMI version
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2 vs 2.1).
  • 3 fewer monitors per output type
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports fewer monitors per output type than the average graphics card (1 vs 4). The average graphics card supports 4 monitors per output type.
  • Older HDCP version
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • Lower display resolution
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 supports a lower maximum digital resolution than the average graphics card (4096x2160 vs 7680x4320). The average graphics card supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320.
  • 30.4 dB noisier at idle
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a higher idle noise level than the average graphics card (30.4 dB vs 0 dB). The average graphics card has an idle noise level of 0 dB.
  • 5.2 dB noisier under load
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a higher load noise level than the average graphics card (40.2 dB vs 35 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35 dB.
  • 5 °C lower thermal ceiling
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower thermal ceiling than the average graphics card (98 °C vs 93 °C). The average graphics card has a thermal ceiling of 93 °C.
  • 26.63 mm longer card length
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 is longer than the average graphics card (312 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.
  • 51.4% lower boost clock speed
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,216 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
    What it is: Maximum boost frequency the GPU can reach under load
    When it matters: When you want a rough idea of peak advertised frequency, while knowing real sustained clocks still depend on cooling and power limits.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,216 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.1216 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 5.6x larger process node
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
    What it is: Size of the manufacturing process in nanometers
    When it matters: When process node differences may affect power, heat, and overall efficiency.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.28 nm vs 5 nm
  • 24 fewer compute units
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (16 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    What it is: Total number of shader multiprocessors or compute units
    When it matters: When you want a better sense of the GPU's overall parallel hardware resources before relying on game benchmarks alone.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (16 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.16 vs 40
  • 8 GB less VRAM
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
    When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.4 GB vs 12 GB
  • 41.3% lower base clock speed
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,127 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
    What it is: Base operating frequency of the GPU core under standard conditions
    When it matters: When you want to understand the card's guaranteed starting frequency instead of looking only at optimistic boost figures.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,127 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.1127 MHz vs 1920 MHz
  • 61.7% lower texture rate
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (144.3 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
    What it is: Number of textured pixels the GPU can process per second
    When it matters: When fast texture handling matters in high-refresh gaming workloads.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (144.3 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.144.3 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s
  • 63.1% slower memory speed
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (7,012 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
    What it is: Effective memory data rate combining clock and bus width
    When it matters: When you compare how quickly each card can push data through its memory subsystem.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (7,012 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.7012 MHz vs 19000 MHz
  • 78.2% lower FP32 performance
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (5 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.
    What it is: Single-precision floating-point performance in TFLOPs
    When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (5 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.4.981 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS
Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design

Graphic comparison of GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
3.8
98 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.6
92 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980?

  • Excellent cooling performance with the Windforce 3X triple-fan design, maintaining low temperatures under load.
  • High out-of-the-box performance due to factory overclocking.
  • Strong overclocking headroom for both core and memory speeds.
  • Flexible output configuration (FlexDisplay) with multiple DisplayPorts, HDMI, and dual DVI ports.
  • Sturdy build quality including a metal backplate for structural rigidity and aesthetics.
  • Remarkable power efficiency compared to previous generation high-end cards and contemporary rivals.

What customers dislike about GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980?

  • Poor price-to-performance value compared to the GTX 970, which offered similar performance for significantly less money.
  • Loud fan noise under extreme loads or when fans are set to aggressive profiles.
  • Large physical footprint; the card is notably long at roughly 12 inches (29.5 cm), which may not fit in smaller cases.
  • Limited 4GB VRAM can be a bottleneck for modern gaming at higher resolutions like 4K.
  • Noticeable power consumption spikes during heavy stress tests like Furmark compared to reference designs.

Expert reviews

H
hardforum.com
17/02/2015
GIGABYTE GTX 980 G1 GAMING Video Card Review @ [H]

The HardOCP review of the Gigabyte GTX 980 G1 Gaming highlights a premium, factory-overclocked card (1228/1329 MHz) offering superior performance and thermal management via the Windforce 3X cooler. Key advantages include quiet operation under load, a 6-display "Flex Display" I/O, a sturdy backplate, and high-quality components designed for overclocking. [H]ard| However, the card is...Read more

T
techpowerup.com
05/01/2015
Gigabyte GTX 980 G1 Gaming 4 GB Review

The TechPowerUp review of the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 G1 Gaming highlights its significant 8% factory overclock, superior Windforce 3X cooler, and flexible "FlexDisplay" outputs, offering a 20% performance lead over the AMD R9 290X. Pros include excellent temperatures, a sturdy backplate, and high power limits, though the card does not feature idle fan-stop, is noisy under load,...Read more

T
tomshardware.com
19/09/2014
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 WindForce OC - Tom's Hardware

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 WindForce OC is a factory-overclocked graphics card built on Nvidia’s Maxwell architecture, specifically utilizing binned, low-leakage GPUs engineered to achieve stable overclocks at lower power consumption levels. Measuring 297 mm in length and weighing 1,196 grams, this dual-slot card features an expansive 600 W-rated WindForce cooling system...Read more

G
guru3d.com
19/09/2014
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 G1 Gaming review If you need further hardware evaluations or specific performance metrics from these tests, feel free to ask!

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 G1 Gaming graphics card delivers impressive performance by pairing NVIDIA’s highly energy-efficient Maxwell architecture (specifically the 28nm GM204 chip) with a robust, completely custom design. Operating with a substantial factory overclock, the card boasts a 1228 MHz core clock and a 1329 MHz boost frequency, with overclocking headroom capable of...Read more

G
guru3d.com
19/09/2014
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 G1 Gaming review

The Guru3D review indicates that the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 G1 Gaming delivers impressive energy efficiency, with the Maxwell architecture drawing approximately 191 Watts under peak synthetic load, allowing for a recommended 500W PSU. A key pro is the high-performance-to-power-ratio, enabling top-tier gaming without requiring excessive infrastructure. Conversely, a potential con...Read more

H
hardwarezone.com.sg
09/10/2014
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 G1 Gaming graphics card reviewed!

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 G1 Gaming graphics card delivers top-tier performance by significantly outclocking the NVIDIA reference model with a factory base clock of 1228MHz and a boost clock of 1329MHz. A major pro of this card is its upgraded Windforce 3X cooling system, which efficiently handles up to 600W of heat output to keep the GPU running at a remarkably cool 61°C under...Read more

B
bit-tech.net
02/10/2014
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 G1 Gaming Review

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 G1 Gaming 4GB is a premium, factory-overclocked graphics card featuring a 9 percent boost out of the box, pushing the base clock to 1,228MHz and the boost clock to 1,329MHz. Built with high-quality components, it features an upgraded 6 phase power system, Japanese solid caps, and dual 8-pin power connectors that allow it to draw more power than the...Read more

G
gamestar.de
19/09/2014
Nvidia Geforce GTX 980 - Schneller, sparsamer, leiser

The Nvidia Geforce GTX 980 delivers a highly efficient performance leap by utilizing a dynamic power management circuit that evenly balances power draw across the PCI-Express slot and dual 6-pin connectors. A major highlight of the card is its cooling architecture, featuring a radial fan, a three-heatpipe heatsink, and a removable matte black backplate segment designed to improve...Read more

(Translated)Show original
C
comptoir-hardware.com
29/12/2014
Test • Gigabyte GTX 980 G1 Gaming

The Gigabyte GTX 980 G1 Gaming is an overclocked graphics card designed for maximum performance, successfully outperforming the reference NVIDIA GTX 980 by just over 10% and its direct MSI competitor by 1.7%. This high performance is achieved through a generous out-of-the-box GPU factory overclock, though further scaling is somewhat bottlenecked by the stock memory bandwidth. To...Read more

(Translated)Show original
G
geeknetic.es
19/09/2014
Nvidia Geforce GTX 980 [Análisis Completo en Español]

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980, based on the 28nm Maxwell architecture (GM204), delivers a notable balance of power and power efficiency, outperforming its Kepler predecessors with a vastly reduced TDP of 165W compared to the GTX 780's 250W. Operating at a boosted core clock of 1216 MHz with 4GB of GDDR5 RAM, the card introduces advanced technologies like Dynamic Super Resolution (DSR)...Read more

(Translated)Show original

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