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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Review | 118 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£55
Avg. price in US: ~$70
VRAM: 4 GB
Memory bus width: 256 bit
Thermal Design Power (TDP): 165 W

NVIDIA 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.

5.0

Good

4.5

Poor

9.3

Exceptional

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

Best prices in UK

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Verdict

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980, launched in 2014, is a high-end graphics card based on the Maxwell 2.0 architecture and a 28nm manufacturing process. It features 2,048 CUDA cores, a base clock of 1126 MHz (boosting to 1216 MHz), and 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit interface, delivering a memory bandwidth of 224 GB/s. Key advantages include its class-leading power efficiency with a low 165W TDP, support for DirectX 12, and then-innovative features like Dynamic Super Resolution (DSR) and Multi-Frame Sampled Anti-Aliasing (MFAA). However, its primary downsides today are the 4 GB VRAM limitation, which struggles with modern AAA titles, and the lack of hardware-accelerated ray tracing and DLSS support found in newer architectures.

Technical Specifications of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980

Overall score

5.0

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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.

Performance

2.8

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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

?

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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Memory

3.7

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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

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

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

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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Platform & Features

6.2

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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

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

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

?

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

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

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Connectivity & Media

8.0

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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

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

?

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

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

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

?

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Power & Cooling

7.8

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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

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

?

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

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

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

165 W

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Design

9.2

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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

?

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

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

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

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

?

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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 vs the average graphics card

Why is NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 better than the average graphics card?

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23.1% lower PSU requirement
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.500 W vs 650 W
16 mm lower card height
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£55 vs £530).
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£55 vs £530).£55 vs £530
16.1% higher user score
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a higher user score than the average graphics card (9.29 vs 8.000).
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.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a higher user score than the average graphics card (9.29 vs 8.000).9.29 vs 8
Supports multi-GPU linking
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
0.2% faster VRAM clock
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
0.2% faster VRAM clock
NVIDIA 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 multi-GPU linking
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
1 more DVI outputs
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
23.1% lower PSU requirement
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
23.3% lower TDP
NVIDIA 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.
25% lower board power limit
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (165 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.
16 mm lower card height
NVIDIA 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.

Platform & Features

Connectivity & Media

Power & Cooling

Why is NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 worse than the average graphics card?

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51.4% lower boost clock speed
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (16 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
41.4% lower base clock speed
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,126 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
58.7% lower texture rate
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (155.6 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
56.4% lower pixel rate
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (72.1 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
78.2% lower FP32 performance
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (128 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
66.5% lower FP64 performance
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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.
50% lower memory bandwidth
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (224 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
93.8% smaller L2 cache
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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.
No DLSS support
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
No ray tracing
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 does not support ray tracing, the average graphics card does.
9 older
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,014 vs 2,023).
Older PCIe version
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
No AI upscalers
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 does not support AI upscalers, the average graphics card does.
No XeSS support
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
No mesh shaders
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
No DirectStorage support
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 does not support DirectStorage, the average graphics card does.
No sampler feedback
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
30.8% larger GPU die
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
No AV1 decoding
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
No DSC support
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
Older DisplayPort version
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4a).
Older HDMI version
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2 vs 2.1).
3 fewer monitors per output type
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
Older NVDEC generation
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a lower NVDEC generation than the average graphics card (1 vs 6). The average graphics card offers NVDEC generation 6.
2 fewer fans
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).
13 °C higher load temperature
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a higher load temperature than the average graphics card (80 °C vs 67 °C). The average graphics card has a load temperature of 67 °C.
8.6 dB noisier under load
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a higher load noise level than the average graphics card (43.6 dB vs 35 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35 dB.
31.4 dB noisier at idle
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a higher idle noise level than the average graphics card (31.4 dB vs 0 dB). The average graphics card has an idle noise level of 0 dB.
51.4% lower boost clock speed
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
2 fewer fans
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).1 vs 3
24 fewer compute units
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
41.4% lower base clock speed
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,126 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,126 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.1126 MHz vs 1920 MHz
58.7% lower texture rate
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (155.6 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (155.6 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.155.6 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s
63.1% slower memory speed
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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

Platform & Features

Connectivity & Media

Power & Cooling

Graphic comparison of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 and

Attribute category

Attribute

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980?

Excellent power efficiency with a low TDP of 165W
Quiet operation, often described as 'eerily quiet' or 'nearly silent'
Strong cooling performance, maintaining low temperatures even under load
High performance for its time, especially at 1080p and 1440p resolutions
VR Ready certification, providing a smooth experience for virtual reality applications
Great overclocking potential due to thermal efficiency

What customers dislike about NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980?

4GB VRAM is a major limitation for modern, graphically demanding AAA titles
Struggles to maintain playable frame rates at 4K resolution on high settings
Historically poor price-to-performance value compared to cards like the GTX 970
Incremental performance gains over previous-generation flagships (like 780 Ti) rather than a 'revelatory' leap
Lacks modern features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing and DLSS support

Expert reviews

digitaltrends.com

20/09/2014

Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 review - Digital Trends

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980, built on the Maxwell graphics architecture, delivers excellent single-GPU performance while establishing a new standard for power efficiency. Originally designed with mobile hardware in mind, this architecture reorganises cores into smaller execution units and expands the level two cache to 2MB to drastically reduce power consumption. In testing, the card...Read more

pcmag.com

18/09/2014

Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Review - PCMag

The PCMag review highlights the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 as an Editors' Choice winner and the fastest single-chip consumer graphics card at launch, powered by the highly efficient Maxwell architecture. Offering impressive performance benchmarks, the card operates with a remarkably low 165-watt TDP, significantly lowering power consumption compared to the GTX 780 Ti and AMD’s Radeon R9...Read more

kitguru.net

19/09/2014

Nvidia Geforce GTX 980 Review - KitGuru

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 review highlights the card as a groundbreaking release for the Maxwell architecture, offering exceptional performance-per-watt efficiency by delivering class-leading power reductions without compromising hardware capability. Built on a 28nm process with 2,048 CUDA cores and 4GB of GDDR5 memory, the reference model operates at a base clock of 1126 MHz and a...Read more

techpowerup.com

18/09/2014

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 4 GB Review - TechPowerUp

The TechPowerUp review highlights the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 as a major milestone for high-end, single-GPU performance, driven by the highly efficient 28 nm "Maxwell" GM204 architecture and a $549 MSRP. It outperforms the older GTX 780 Ti, offering exceptional power efficiency (165W TDP), quieter operation, a metal backplate, and features like HDMI 2.0 and DSR. However, the review...Read more

digitalfoundry.net

19/09/2014

Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 review - Digital Foundry TechPowerUp

Digital Foundry's review details the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980, a flagship GPU built on the 28nm Maxwell architecture (GM204 chip) to replace the older GTX 780 Ti. Pros include its outstanding power efficiency, boasting a low 165W TDP that draws 80W less than the 780 Ti and 100W less than AMD's R9 290X, allowing for cooler, quieter operation ideal for small form factor PCs. It features...Read more

techpowerup.com

21/10/2014

ASUS STRIX GTX 980 OC 4 GB Review - TechPowerUp

The ASUS STRIX GTX 980 OC 4 GB is a Maxwell-based card featuring a 5% factory overclock, delivering exceptional power efficiency and a 0 dB passive cooling mode that remains nearly inaudible under load. Key advantages include robust build quality with a metal backplate, high GPU core overclocking potential, and excellent connectivity with HDMI 2.0 and triple DisplayPort, according...Read more

techpowerup.com

13/10/2014

MSI GeForce GTX 980 Gaming 4 GB Review - TechPowerUp

The TechPowerUp review rates the MSI GTX 980 Gaming 4 GB as an excellent custom card, highlighting its 10% factory-overclocked performance boost and the silent, highly effective TwinFrozr cooler. It features superb overclocking capacity, notably exceeding 2 GHz on the memory, all while maintaining a competitive $580 price point, just $30 above the reference model. Conversely, the...Read more

kitguru.net

19/09/2014

Nvidia Geforce GTX 980 Review - KitGuru

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 review by Allan 'Zardon' Campbell on KitGuru highlights the exceptional architectural leap of the 28nm GM204 Maxwell platform, which earned a highly impressive 9.5 out of 10 rating. A major pro of this hardware is its incredible power efficiency, designed to deliver twice the performance per watt compared to previous-generation Kepler hardware. The...Read more

bit-tech.net

19/09/2014

Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Review | bit-tech.net

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 4GB reference graphics card is a premium, dual-slot GPU built on the power-efficient Maxwell (GM204) architecture. Measuring 267mm in length, it features a high-quality aluminum frame, a magnesium alloy fan housing, an iconic green LED backlit GeForce logo, and a highly innovative partially removable backplate designed to optimize airflow in multi-GPU SLI...Read more

techradar.com

19/09/2014

Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 review - TechRadar

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 introduced the top-tier, super-efficient Maxwell architecture using the brand new GM 204 GPU. It provides high-end gaming performance that outpaces even overclocked previous-generation GTX 780 Ti cards, all while running quieter than older Kepler models. This model builds on the thermal and energy-efficient strategy first seen with lower-end Maxwell cards...Read more

tomshardware.com

19/09/2014

Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 And 980 Review: Maximum Maxwell

Executive Summary: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 and 980 Review The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 and 970 review introduces the GM204 Maxwell architecture, which scales up the extreme energy efficiency previously seen in the mid-range GTX 750 Ti to high-end gaming rigs. Built on a 28 nm process node, the flagship GTX 980 features 2048 CUDA cores, 64 full-color ROPs, and 4 GB of GDDR5 memory...Read more

uk.pcmag.com

22/09/2014

Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 - Review 2014 - PCMag UK If you'd like to see how this card compares to modern hardware or its legacy performance, I can find:...

The PCMag UK review awards the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 a rating of 4.0 Excellent, highlighting it as the most powerful consumer-class card at its launch and the first high-end GPU built on the efficient Maxwell architecture. In benchmark testing, its raw performance significantly outpaced previous leaders like the Nvidia GTX 780 Ti and the power-hungry AMD Radeon R9 290X. A core pro...Read more

legitreviews.com

19/09/2014

NVIDIA GeForce GeForce GTX 980 Maxwell Video Card Review

The Legit Reviews review of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 highlights the flagship video card's debut on the 28nm GM204 Maxwell architecture, which targeted elite gaming performance across 4K displays and emerging virtual reality setups. Priced at launch at $549, the reference card features 2,048 CUDA cores, a base clock speed of 1126MHz, a boost clock of 1216MHz, and 4GB of GDDR5...Read more

lanoc.org

18/09/2014

Nvidia GTX 980 - LanOC Reviews

The Nvidia GTX 980 officially marks a major architectural shift to "Maxwell," focusing heavily on power efficiency while skipping the 800 series naming convention to align desktop and mobile lines. Built on a 28 nm process with a smaller die size than the previous generation, the card features 2,048 CUDA cores, a base clock of 1126 MHz, a boost clock of 1216 MHz, and 4GB of GDDR5...Read more

bit-tech.net

19/09/2014

Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Review | bit-tech.net

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 introduced the flagship Maxwell GM204 architecture, prioritizing power efficiency alongside high-end performance. Built on a 28nm process, it delivers a massive architectural leap by achieving a very low 165W TDP—which is 30W lower than the older GTX 680 despite offering a 33% higher core count and faster clock speeds. The card is packed with modern...Read more

phoronix.com

30/09/2014

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980: The Best GPU For Linux Gamers

The Phoronix review of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 highlights the Maxwell-based GPU as a dominant force in Linux OpenGL and OpenCL performance, offering significant power efficiency with a 165W TDP and superior performance-per-watt compared to previous generations. The card, utilizing the proprietary 343.22 driver, showed stability on Ubuntu 14.04 and outperformed the Radeon R9 290...Read more

hexus.net

19/09/2014

Review: Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 (28nm Maxwell)

The HEXUS review of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 highlights the flagship graphics card as a major milestone for the highly efficient 28nm Maxwell architecture (GM204). Despite having fewer on-paper raw specifications than its predecessor—including 11% fewer shading cores, 33% fewer texturing units, and a narrower 256-bit memory bus—the card introduces architectural enhancements like...Read more

slashgear.com

19/09/2014

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Review

summary of the SlashGear NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 review: SlashGear Review Summary The SlashGear review outlines the launch of NVIDIA's Maxwell architecture, highlighting the 10.5-inch reference GeForce GTX 980 as a powerhouse optimized for maximum settings at a 2560 x 1600 resolution. Author Chris Burns emphasizes several cutting-edge visual technologies, including Dynamic Super...Read more

trustedreviews.com

18/04/2016

Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Review

The Trusted Reviews evaluation of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 highlights an impressive high-end graphics card, driven by the Maxwell architecture, which excels at 1080p and 1440p gaming while offering superior power efficiency and quiet operation. Key advantages include its robust, future-proof performance, support for 4K display outputs, and versatile design suited for various PC...Read more

hardwareluxx.de

01/10/2014

Drei Custom-Modelle der GeForce GTX 980 im Test

This 2014 review from Hardwareluxx evaluates three custom-design GeForce GTX 980 graphics cards—the ASUS Strix OC Edition, Gigabyte G1.Gaming, and MSI Gaming—which utilize NVIDIA’s 28 nm GM204 Maxwell architecture featuring 2,048 shader units and 4 GB of GDDR5 memory. The core focus of these custom implementations is to surpass the reference model by extracting higher performance...Read more

hardwareluxx.de

19/09/2014

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 und 970 mit Maxwell-Architektur im XXL-Test

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 and 970 debut the second-generation 28 nm Maxwell architecture (GM204 GPU), delivering massive improvements in efficiency and architectural capabilities. Built on a 5.2 billion transistor design, the flagship GTX 980 runs at a base clock of 1,126 MHz (1,216 MHz Boost) with 2,048 shader units, 128 texture units, and 64 ROPs. The scaled-down GTX 970 operates...Read more

comptoir-hardware.com

29/12/2014

Test • Gigabyte GTX 980 G1 Gaming

This review examines the Gigabyte GTX 980 G1 Gaming graphics card, a highly customized alternative to NVIDIA's reference design utilizing the Maxwell architecture (specifically the GM204 GPU). Designed primarily to push the limits of performance and achieve market supremacy, the card features an engineered printed circuit board (PCB) and an aggressive aftermarket cooling solution....Read more

lesnumeriques.com

24/10/2014

MSI GeForce GTX 980 Gaming 4G : meilleur prix

The Les Numériques review awards the MSI GeForce GTX 980 Gaming 4G a perfect 5 out of 5 stars rating. Based on Nvidia's 28 nm GM204 Maxwell architecture, this graphics card operates at a GPU base frequency of 1190 MHz and carries 4 GB of GDDR5 memory clocked at 1750 MHz. A community review highlighted the card's exceptional power, achieving user-overclocked speeds over 1500 MHz...Read more

clubic.com

18/09/2014

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 & 970 : Maxwell sur le haut de gamme

The review evaluates NVIDIA's 2014 high-end graphics cards, the GeForce GTX 970 and 980, which introduced the highly efficient 28nm Maxwell architecture (GM204) to desktop PCs with native DirectX 12 support. The GTX 980 features 2048 CUDA cores, 64 ROPs, and a 256-bit memory bus, delivering substantial geometric performance leaps over older architectures like Kepler. In benchmark...Read more

lesnumeriques.com

10/08/2016

Test Nvidia GeForce GTX 980, Maxwell débarque sur le haut de gamme

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 introduced the efficient Maxwell architecture (specifically the GM204-400 chip) to the high-end graphics card market, aiming for a superior performance-per-watt ratio. In game testing, it delivered solid results by outperforming the older GTX 780 Ti by roughly 7% and AMD’s rival Radeon R9 290X by about 13%. Key architectural upgrades include increased ROPs...Read more

geeknetic.es

19/09/2014

Nvidia Geforce GTX 980 [Análisis Completo en Español]

The Geeknetic review of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 highlights it as a highly sophisticated graphics card powered by the 28nm Maxwell architecture (GM204), praised for delivering top-tier performance with unmatched energy efficiency. Key pros include its remarkable thermal design power (TDP) of just 165W, which marks a massive 85W reduction from the older Kepler-based GTX 780,...Read more

nexthardware.com

05/11/2014

GIGABYTE GTX 980 G1 Gaming | 7. 3DMark & Unigine

Page 7 of the NextHardware review highlights the Gigabyte GTX 980 G1 Gaming's superior synthetic performance in 3DMark and Unigine Heaven, confirming the Maxwell architecture's efficiency at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions. The card, recognized for its custom board design, delivers top-tier results that outperform both reference models and competitive alternatives. Key pros include...Read more

tomshw.it

18/02/2015

Recensione Zotac GeForce GTX 980 AMP! Omega Edition - Tom's Hardware

The Tom's Hardware Italy review of the Zotac GeForce GTX 980 AMP! Omega Edition details a high-end graphics card priced at approximately €590, built on Nvidia’s GM204 GPU architecture. This specific model shares an identical, oversized custom PCB with the higher-end AMP! Extreme Edition, incorporating robust 8 phase power delivery, specialized "PowerBoost" capacitors, a dedicated...Read more

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