OVERALL
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
ALTERNATIVES

MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Review | 118 Data compared

double-arrow
  • Avg. price: ~£90
  • VRAM: 6 GB
  • Memory bus width: 384 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 250 W

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

4.9

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%

4.6

Technical Score

10.0%

7.9

User score

Poor
4.6

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%

3.3

Performance

24.0%

3.5

Memory

12.0%

7.9

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.4

Platform & Features

5.0%

9.1

Design

4.0%

8.0

Connectivity & Media

Poor
7.9

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%

8.6

User reviews

30.0%

6.2

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.5
(95)
amazon
2.1
(7)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.2
(52)
Amazon_logo.png
2.4
(11)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Very good
  • 6.5
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    2.2

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 5.9
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    2.2

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.5
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    2.2

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.2
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    2.2

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.0
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    2.2

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • msi-geforce-gtx-980-ti
  • msi-geforce-gtx-980-ti
  • msi-geforce-gtx-980-ti
  • msi-geforce-gtx-980-ti
  • msi-geforce-gtx-980-ti
  • msi-geforce-gtx-980-ti
  • msi-geforce-gtx-980-ti
  • msi-geforce-gtx-980-ti
msi-geforce-gtx-980-ti
msi-geforce-gtx-980-ti
msi-geforce-gtx-980-ti
msi-geforce-gtx-980-ti
msi-geforce-gtx-980-ti
msi-geforce-gtx-980-ti
msi-geforce-gtx-980-ti
msi-geforce-gtx-980-ti

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

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

Verdict

The MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti is a high-end graphics card featuring 2,816 CUDA cores and 6GB of GDDR5 memory on a wide 384-bit bus, delivering approximately 336 GB/s of bandwidth. Built on NVIDIA's Maxwell architecture, MSI's custom variants—such as the Gaming 6G—often include a factory overclock with base clocks around 1,178 MHz and boost speeds reaching 1,279 MHz. A major pro is its powerful performance that rivals the GTX Titan X for a significantly lower price, complemented by the Twin Frozr V cooling system that remains silent during low-load tasks. However, it carries a high TDP of 250W, requiring a robust 600W power supply and two 8-pin connectors, and its open-air cooler design can lead to increased internal case temperatures.

Technical Specifications of MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti

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%

3.3

Performance

24.0%

3.5

Memory

12.0%

7.9

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.4

Platform & Features

5.0%

9.1

Design

4.0%

8.0

Connectivity & Media

4.6
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a technical score of 4.6 points, which is lower than that of 83.1% 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%

8.6

User reviews

30.0%

6.2

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.5
(95)
amazon
2.1
(7)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.2
(52)
Amazon_logo.png
2.4
(11)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

7.9
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a user score of 7.86 points, which is lower than that of 78.2% 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.
6.2
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a popularity of 6.2 points, which is higher than 66% 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%

4.9

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

6.4
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.4 points, which is lower than 67% 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

?
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

?
Show more
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

6 GB
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has 6 GB of VRAM, which is less than 82.7% of graphics cards and equal to 5.1% 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
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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

384 bit
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti uses a 384 bit memory bus, which is wider than that of 89.3% of graphics cards and equal to that of 7.3% 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

?
Show more
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
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 4.8% of graphics cards and equal to 95.2% of graphics cards.
Show more
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
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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.
Show more
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

250 W
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a TDP of 250 W, which is higher than that of 58.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 6.1% 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

274 W
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti draws 274 W under peak load, which is higher than 65.6% of graphics cards.
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

600 W
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti recommends a 600 W PSU, which is lower than that of 55.7% of graphics cards and equal to that of 7.5% of graphics cards.
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

275 W
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a board power limit of 275 W, which is higher than that of 62.8% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.3% of graphics cards.
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

250 W
Show more
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

?
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

277 mm
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti is 277 mm long, which is shorter than 55.3% of graphics cards and equal in length to 0.3% 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

110 mm
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti is 110 mm tall, which is shorter than 95.3% of graphics cards and equal in height to 1% 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
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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

1,068 g
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti weighs 1068 g, which is heavier than 54.9% of graphics cards.
Show more

MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti vs the average graphics card

  • 32 more ROPs
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has more ROPs than the average graphics card (96 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
    What it is: Total number of render output units on the GPU
    When it matters: When you want more context on pixel output capacity, especially for high-resolution play and older raster-heavy engines.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has more ROPs than the average graphics card (96 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.96 vs 64
  • 128 bit wider memory bus
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (384 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
    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

    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (384 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.384 bit vs 256 bit
  • 17 mm lower card height
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti is shorter than the average graphics card (110 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti is shorter than the average graphics card (110 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.110 mm vs 127 mm
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.1 vs 0
  • 5.89x cheaper
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti is cheaper than the average graphics card (£90 vs £530).
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti is cheaper than the average graphics card (£90 vs £530).£90 vs £530
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA SLI or AMD CrossFire multi-GPU setup
    When it matters: When you still run legacy multi-GPU gaming or rendering workflows.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 0.2% faster VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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
  • 7.7% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (600 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
    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

    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (600 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.600 W vs 650 W
  • 32 more ROPs
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has more ROPs than the average graphics card (96 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 128 bit wider memory bus
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (384 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
  • 0.2% faster VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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 multi-GPU linking
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • Supports NVLink
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • 7.7% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (600 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
  • 17 mm lower card height
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti is shorter than the average graphics card (110 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.

Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design
  • 57% lower boost clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,076 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
  • 47.9% lower base clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,000 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 18 fewer compute units
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (22 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 41.9% lower pixel rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (96 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 68.5% lower FP32 performance
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (7.2 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.
  • 99.4% lower FP16 performance
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower FP16 performance than the average graphics card (0.2 TFLOPS vs 29.5 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP16 performance of 29.5 TFLOPS.
  • 59.4% lower FP64 performance
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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.
  • 6 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (6 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 62.5% smaller L1 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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.
  • No DLSS support
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
  • 8 older
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,015 vs 2,023).
  • Older PCIe version
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • No mesh shaders
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • Worse SAM support
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti offers worse SAM support than the average graphics card (no vs yes).
  • Older encoder generation
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti uses an older encoder generation than the average graphics card (2 vs 8). The average graphics card uses encoder generation 8.
  • Older DirectX version
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports an older DirectX version than the average graphics card (12.1 vs 12 Ultimate).
  • 97.5% larger GPU die
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a higher GPU die size than the average graphics card (601 mm² vs 304.25 mm²). The average graphics card has a GPU die size of 304.25 mm².
  • No sampler feedback
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 encoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDMI version
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2 vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • Older NVDEC generation
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower NVDEC generation than the average graphics card (2 vs 6). The average graphics card offers NVDEC generation 6.
  • Lower display resolution
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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.
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
  • 16.3% higher TDP
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a higher TDP than the average graphics card (250 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 45.5% higher idle power draw
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a higher idle power draw than the average graphics card (16 W vs 11 W). The average graphics card has an idle power draw of 11 W.
  • 12 °C higher idle temperature
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a higher idle temperature than the average graphics card (50 °C vs 38 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 38 °C.
  • 25% higher board power limit
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a higher board power limit than the average graphics card (275 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.
  • 57% lower boost clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,076 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,076 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.1076 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 5.6x larger process node
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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
  • 47.9% lower base clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,000 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,000 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.1000 MHz vs 1920 MHz
  • 6 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (6 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (6 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.6 GB vs 12 GB
  • 18 fewer compute units
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (22 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (22 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.22 vs 40
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
    What it is: Total number of cooling fans
    When it matters: When you compare cooler designs and want one more clue about thermal potential.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).2 vs 3
  • No DLSS support
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA DLSS upscaling technology
    When it matters: When you play NVIDIA-supported games and want better frame rates at higher settings.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.No vs yes
  • 41.9% lower pixel rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (96 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
    What it is: Number of pixels the GPU can render per second
    When it matters: When you play at high resolutions or care about older raster-heavy games.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (96 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.96 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s
Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling

Graphic comparison of MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti and

Attribute category
Attribute
No results found

Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.5
95 Reviews
amazon
2.1
7 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.2
52 Reviews
Amazon_logo.png
2.4
11 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti?

  • Exceptional factory overclock that outperforms the reference design and matches Titan X performance in many benchmarks.
  • Near-silent operation thanks to Twin Frozr V fans that remain off below 60°C.
  • Effective thermal management, maintaining load temperatures around 69-75°C despite high clock speeds.
  • High build quality featuring a sturdy backplate with an aesthetic dragon design and controllable LED lighting.
  • Strong performance for 1440p gaming and a viable entry-level option for 4K resolutions.

What customers dislike about MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti?

  • High power consumption, with peak system draws reaching up to 375W, requiring a robust 600W+ power supply.
  • Large physical footprint (11 inches long) that may not fit in smaller cases.
  • Open-air cooler design requires excellent case ventilation to prevent internal heat build-up.
  • Slightly higher price premium compared to the standard reference GTX 980 Ti models.
  • Lackluster included accessories and limited future-proofing for the newest ray-tracing titles.

Expert reviews

T
tweaktown.com
10/08/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6G Video Card Review

MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6G Review Summary The MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6G is a highly impressive, dual-slot graphics card built on NVIDIA’s Maxwell architecture and the GM200 GPU. It diverges significantly from the reference design by offering a substantial factory overclock, pushing the core clock to 1178MHz (1279MHz Boost) in "OC Mode" compared to the stock 1000MHz...Read more

B
bit-tech.net
06/08/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6G Review

The bit-tech review evaluates the MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6G, highlighting its high-end performance at a competitive price point of approximately £550 / $680. The pros of this graphics card include its aggressive factory overclock, which boosts the base clock speed by 178MHz up to 1,178MHz, allowing it to outperform Nvidia's reference GTX 980 Ti and AMD's R9 Fury X across all...Read more

H
hardwarecanucks.com
23/07/2015
MSI GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6G Review

The MSI GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6G is presented as a high-performance alternative to NVIDIA's reference design, offering significant factory overclocks that rival flagship cards from competitors like Zotac and EVGA. Operating with a base clock of 1178MHz and a boost clock of 1279MHz in "OC Mode," the card delivers exceptional gaming performance that effectively bridges the gap between...Read more

P
pcmag.com
10/07/2015
MSI GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6G Review

The MSI GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6G is lauded by PCMag for delivering smooth single-card 4K gaming performance and superior speed over the Titan X, largely due to an aggressive factory overclock. The card also features a highly efficient, silent custom cooling solution that operates quietly under light loads. While offering high performance, the card's open-air cooler requires a...Read more

O
overclockers.com
08/07/2015
MSI GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6G Video Card Review

The MSI GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6G, analyzed on Overclockers.com, serves as a high-performance, cost-effective alternative to the Titan X, utilizing a factory-overclocked core (1,178 MHz base) and the Twin Frozr V cooler for silent operation. Key advantages include its superior thermal management, exceptional out-of-the-box speed, and significant additional overclocking headroom, all...Read more

T
techpowerup.com
03/07/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6 GB Review

The TechPowerUp review of the MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6 GB highlights it as a premier, factory-overclocked card that offers exceptional 4K gaming performance exceeding the Titan X. Key pros include the quiet TwinFrozr V cooler with idle fan-stop technology, a stylish red-and-black design, and a reasonable $30 premium over the reference MSRP. Conversely, the card is louder...Read more

G
guru3d.com
30/06/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Gaming OC Review

The MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Gaming OC edition is a high-performance graphics card built on NVIDIA’s "Big Maxwell" GM200 GPU architecture, the same chip that powers the elite Titan X. Shifting away from the standard GTX 980 design, this model features 2,816 shader processors, 8 billion transistors, and a factory-overclocked base clock of 1178 MHz. Equipped with 6 GB of fast 7 Gbps...Read more

L
legitreviews.com
04/01/2016
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti Video Card Roundup

The Legit Reviews roundup evaluates three high-end NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB graphics cards from ASUS, MSI, and Zotac, concluding that all three deliver an excellent premium gaming experience capable of driving 4K and ultra-widescreen displays. The Zotac AMP! Extreme Edition serves as the performance flagship, boasting the highest out-of-the-box clock frequencies and leading...Read more

P
pcmag.com
21/10/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Sea Hawk Review

The MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Sea Hawk delivers exceptional 4K gaming performance, utilizing a Corsair-engineered liquid-cooling loop to operate significantly cooler and quieter than air-cooled counterparts. This premium card stands out as a top-tier single-chip solution, outperforming standard, stock-clocked models. PCMag However, the card commands a $100 price premium over standard...Read more

H
hothardware.com
06/10/2015
GeForce GTX 980 Ti Round-Up With MSI, ASUS, And EVGA

HotHardware's review of the EVGA GTX 980 Ti SC+, MSI Gaming 6G, and ASUS STRIX GTX 980 Ti concludes that all three cards provide excellent high-end performance, with the MSI Gaming 6G chosen as the top pick due to its superior overclocking and quiet operation. Pros include the EVGA's affordable $659 price point and the ASUS STRIX's highest out-of-the-box speeds, though the ASUS...Read more

G
guru3d.com
28/08/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Lightning Review

The Guru3D review of the MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Lightning highlights a heavily overhauled, enthusiast-grade card based on NVIDIA’s GM200 architecture, featuring a custom 10-layer PCB, robust 12-phase power design, and an effective, quiet triple-fan cooler. It delivers excellent out-of-the-box performance for 1440p and 4K gaming, complemented by extreme overclocking features like...Read more

G
gamestar.de
13/08/2015
MSIs GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6G - MSIs Gaming-Flaggschiff

The GameStar hardware review highlights the MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6G as a powerhouse custom graphics card based on a slightly modified version of Nvidia's flagship Maxwell GM200 chip. Priced at 745 Euros at the time of testing, the card stands out due to its aggressive factory overclock, boosting core clock speeds to 1,178 MHz (1,279 MHz Boost) and increasing the 6.0 GB...Read more

(Translated)Show original
C
clubic.com
01/06/2015
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti : la Titan X pour tous ?

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti delivers performance remarkably close to the flagship GTX Titan X, utilizing a slightly modified version of the 28nm GM200 Maxwell architecture. To achieve its significantly lower launch price of €749 (compared to the Titan X's €1,200), NVIDIA reduced the CUDA cores to 2,816, texture units to 176, and halved the GDDR5 memory to a more practical 6GB...Read more

(Translated)Show original
T
tomshw.it
01/06/2015
GeForce GTX 980 Ti dei produttori, ce n'è per tutti i gusti (e le tasche)

Here is a summary of the article: This review covers the launch of Nvidia's GeForce GTX 980 Ti, a high-end graphics card priced at €750 that delivers gaming performance remarkably close to the €1150 GTX Titan X. The article highlights various custom aftermarket solutions introduced by major manufacturers, each offering specialized features like factory overclocks and advanced...Read more

(Translated)Show original
H
hardware.info
22/07/2026
MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Gaming review: de beste all-rounder

The MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6GB is highlighted as an excellent, budget-friendly custom graphics card featuring a distinctive red-and-black aesthetic, a branded backplate, and an LED-lit dragon logo customizable via the Gaming App software. Built on a custom PCB with an enhanced 8 power phase design and dual 8-pin power connectors, it offers significantly better overclocking...Read more

(Translated)Show original

Video reviews

Best alternatives

gigabyte-geforce-gtx-1070-g1-gaming
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1070 G1 Gaming

Graphics cards

5.7
gigabyte-geforce-gtx-1080-windforce-oc
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC

Graphics cards

5.6
asus-rog-strix-rx-vega-64-gaming-oc
ASUS ROG Strix RX Vega 64 Gaming OC

Graphics cards

5.5
asus-turbo-geforce-gtx-1080
ASUS Turbo GeForce GTX 1080

Graphics cards

5.4
amd-radeon-rx-vega-64
AMD Radeon RX Vega 64

Graphics cards

5.4
msi-geforce-gtx-1080-gaming-x
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X

Graphics cards

5.2
asus-rog-strix-geforce-gtx-1080
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1080

Graphics cards

5.0
sapphire-pulse-radeon-rx-5500-xt-8gb
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB

Graphics cards

5.0
nvidia-geforce-gtx-980-ti
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti

Graphics cards

5.0
amd-radeon-rx-590
AMD Radeon RX 590

Graphics cards

5.4
amd-radeon-hd-7870-ghz-edition
AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition

Graphics cards

3.8
sapphire-nitro-radeon-rx-590-special-edition
Sapphire Nitro Radeon RX 590 Special Edition

Graphics cards

5.2

Compare MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti with

VS
VS

Compare