NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£70
  • Avg. price in US: ~$80
  • VRAM: 6 GB
  • Memory bus width: 384 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 250 W

NVIDIA 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.

5.0

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%

4.5

Technical Score

10.0%

9.0

User score

Good
4.5

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%

3.4

Performance

24.0%

3.9

Memory

12.0%

6.7

Power & Cooling

11.0%

4.8

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.8

Design

4.0%

8.0

Connectivity & Media

Poor
9.0

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%

8.5

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.1
(175)
amazon
4.1
(52)
amazon
4.2
(24)
amazon
5.0
(2)
United States
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4.5
(155)
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4.6
(131)
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4.1
(48)
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4.1
(26)
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5.0
(2)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Exceptional
  • 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

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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

Released in 2015, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti is a high-end Maxwell-based graphics card featuring 2,816 CUDA cores, 6GB of GDDR5 memory on a 384-bit interface, and a 250W TDP. It delivers a base clock of 1,000MHz (boostable to 1,075MHz) with 336.5 GB/s of bandwidth, offering near-Titan X performance at a significantly lower price point, making it a powerful choice for 1440p and entry-level 4K gaming. While its high overclocking headroom and DirectX 12 support are major pros, it is held back by high power consumption compared to modern GPUs and a reference blower-style cooler that can lead to high temperatures and thermal throttling under heavy loads.

Technical Specifications of NVIDIA 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%

3.4

Performance

24.0%

3.9

Memory

12.0%

6.7

Power & Cooling

11.0%

4.8

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.8

Design

4.0%

8.0

Connectivity & Media

4.5
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a technical score of 4.51 points, which is lower than that of 84.5% 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%

8.5

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.1
(175)
amazon
4.1
(52)
amazon
4.2
(24)
amazon
5.0
(2)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.5
(155)
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(131)
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(48)
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(26)
Amazon_logo.png
5.0
(2)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

9.0
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a user score of 8.98 points, which is higher than that of 77.5% 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.
10
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 77.9% 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%

5.0

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

6.5
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.5 points, which is lower than 61.8% 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

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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

6 GB
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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

336.5 GB/s
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti reaches 336.5 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 63.7% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.1% of graphics cards.
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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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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

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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

4.5
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports OpenGL 4.5, which is older than on 95.2% of graphics cards and equal to 3.3% 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
NVIDIA 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

5120x2880
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports a maximum digital resolution of 5120x2880, which is lower than that of 55.7% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.6% 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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.
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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

250 W
NVIDIA 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

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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

600 W
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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

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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

267 x 111 x 40 mm
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti measures 267x111 x 40 mm, which is more compact than 97.3% of graphics cards and equal in size to 0.1% of graphics cards.
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

267 mm
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti is 267 mm long, which is shorter than 59.6% of graphics cards and equal in length to 3.4% 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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
NVIDIA 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

1,290 g
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti weighs 1290 g, which is heavier than 67.4% of graphics cards and equal in weight to 0.2% of graphics cards.
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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti vs the average graphics card

  • 32 more ROPs
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
  • 16 mm lower card height
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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 Ti 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
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
  • 7.57x cheaper
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti is cheaper than the average graphics card (£70 vs £530).
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti is cheaper than the average graphics card (£70 vs £530).£70 vs £530
  • 12.3% higher user score
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a higher user score than the average graphics card (8.98 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 Ti has a higher user score than the average graphics card (8.98 vs 8.000).8.98 vs 8
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    NVIDIA 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

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

    NVIDIA 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
  • 32 more ROPs
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • Supports NVLink
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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.
  • 16 mm lower card height
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
  • 57% lower boost clock speed
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (22 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 49.7% lower texture rate
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (189.4 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 73.5% lower FP32 performance
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (6.1 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.
  • 37.5% lower pixel rate
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (103.3 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 59.3% lower FP64 performance
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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.
  • 63.1% slower memory speed
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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.
  • 90.6% smaller L2 cache
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti has fewer L2 cache than the average graphics card (3 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • 24.9% lower memory bandwidth
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (336.5 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • 62.5% smaller L1 cache
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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.
  • 8 older
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,015 vs 2,023).
  • Older PCIe version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • No mesh shaders
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • Worse SAM support
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti offers worse SAM support than the average graphics card (no vs yes).
  • 97.5% larger GPU die
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • Older OpenGL version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports an older OpenGL version than the average graphics card (4.5 vs 4.6).
  • No AV1 encoding
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDMI version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2 vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • Older NVDEC generation
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower NVDEC generation than the average graphics card (1 vs 6). The average graphics card offers NVDEC generation 6.
  • Lower display resolution
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti supports a lower maximum digital resolution than the average graphics card (5120x2880 vs 7680x4320). The average graphics card supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320.
  • 2 fewer fans
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).
  • No fan stop
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti does not support fan stop, the average graphics card does.
  • 16.3% higher TDP
    NVIDIA 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.
  • 31.3 dB noisier at idle
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a higher idle noise level than the average graphics card (31.3 dB vs 0 dB). The average graphics card has an idle noise level of 0 dB.
  • 25% higher board power limit
    NVIDIA 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.
  • No backplate
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti does not include a backplate, the average graphics card does.
  • 57% lower boost clock speed
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
  • 2 fewer fans
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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 Ti has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).1 vs 3
  • 47.9% lower base clock speed
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
  • 63.1% slower memory speed
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 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 Ti 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
  • 49.7% lower texture rate
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (189.4 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 Ti has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (189.4 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.189.4 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s

Graphic comparison of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti and

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti?

  • Exceptional value compared to the Titan X, offering nearly identical gaming performance at a significantly lower price point.
  • High overclocking headroom, with users often reaching stable boost clocks around 1400-1465 MHz for a substantial performance gain.
  • Capable of handling 4K and 1440p gaming on a single card, especially in titles from its era.
  • Strong legacy performance; remains faster than more modern budget cards like the RX 580 and keeps up with the GTX 1070.
  • Full DirectX 12 support ensures compatibility with modern game engines.

What customers dislike about NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti?

  • High power consumption and thermal output with a 250W TDP, requiring a robust power supply and well-ventilated case.
  • Reference models feature a blower-style cooler that is noted for being loud under load and quickly hitting thermal limits (84°C).
  • Approaching the end of life for official driver support, which may impact stability in the newest AAA titles.
  • Lacks modern features like dedicated Ray Tracing cores and newer upscaling technologies (DLSS) found in the RTX series.
  • Reference design fans do not stop during idle, making it noisier than custom board partner versions.

Expert reviews

T
tomshardware.com
18/01/2016

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 Ti Xtreme Gaming Windforce is a staggeringly powerful graphics card that stands out as one of the fastest single-GPU boards tested by Tom's Hardware. Built on a custom PCB featuring high-grade components identical to the Titan X, the card uses Gigabyte’s "GPU Gauntlet" sorting process to select binned, factory-overclocked processors. Gigabyte...Read more

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overclockers.com
28/07/2015

The ASUS STRIX GTX 980 Ti is an enthusiast-grade GPU featuring the DirectCU III cooling solution, which keeps load temperatures around 74°C while operating quietly. It boasts a significant factory overclock (1216 MHz base / 1317 MHz boost), a 14-phase power design, and structural support via a metal backplate and "GPU Fortifier" to prevent sag. However, the card is exceptionally...Read more

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techpowerup.com
23/07/2015

The ASUS GTX 980 Ti STRIX Gaming is a high-performance card featuring a significant factory overclock, delivering performance 12% faster than the NVIDIA Titan X while operating silently at idle thanks to its 0dB fan feature. Its DirectCU III cooler and reinforced design provide excellent thermals, representing strong value at just a $20 premium over the reference model. However, the...Read more

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techpowerup.com
22/06/2015

The TechPowerUp review finds the EVGA GTX 980 Ti SC+ an exceptional, high-value alternative to the reference design, featuring a factory overclock of 1102 MHz and superior performance-per-watt. The ACX 2.0+ cooler provides cooler, quieter operation with an idle-fan-off feature, making the $20 premium highly justified. While offering great performance, the card leaves memory clocks...Read more

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nitroware.net
01/06/2015

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti delivers flagship graphics performance by utilizing a slightly cut-down version of the GM200 GPU found in the premium TITAN X, disabling just 2 of its 24 SMX units to offer 2816 shader cores and 6GB of video memory. In real-world benchmarks, the reference card matches or even beats the TITAN X in certain scenarios—especially during 4K ultra-detail...Read more

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overclockersclub.com
31/05/2015

The Overclockers Club review highlights the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti as a high-value, high-end card, offering near-Titan X performance via its 6GB GDDR5 memory and 2,816 CUDA cores at a lower $649 price point. It excels in 4K gaming, supports DirectX 12 and G-SYNC, and offers significant overclocking headroom, MHz to the core. Key drawbacks include high thermal loads and increased...Read more

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anandtech.com
31/05/2015

The AnandTech NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti Review concludes that the graphics card is a highly compelling enthusiast-grade flagship product that bridges the performance gap between the standard GTX 980 and the Titan X. Built on the 28nm "Big Maxwell" GM200 architecture, the card features 2,816 CUDA cores and 6GB of GDDR5 VRAM on a 384-bit memory bus. In performance testing, the GTX 980...Read more

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smallformfactor.net
06/09/2022

The SmallFormFactor.net review of the 2015 Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti in 2022 highlights that its 6GB of GDDR5 VRAM and robust Maxwell architecture allow it to still deliver playable 1080p performance in many titles. As a key pro, the card's enduring raw compute power enables it to compete with newer, modern mid-range GPUs, extending its functional lifecycle significantly. However,...Read more

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digitalfoundry.net
18/10/2015

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti delivers virtually identical performance to the $999 Titan X flagship while costing 35% less at $650. Built on the 28nm GM200 processor with 8 billion transistors, it features 2816 CUDA cores, 176 texture units, and 96 ROPs. In gameplay benchmarks, it maintains an average of 98.6% of the Titan X's power at 1080p and 98% at 1440p. The card excels at...Read more

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expertreviews.co.uk
10/07/2015

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti is a powerhouse graphics card built on the energy-efficient 28nm Maxwell architecture, acting as a scaled-down yet highly competitive alternative to the flagship Titan X. Operating at a 1GHz base clock with a 1,075MHz boost, the card features 2,816 CUDA cores and 6GB of GDDR5 memory across a 384-bit memory bus, delivering an identical peak memory...Read more

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babeltechreviews.com
31/05/2015

Overview and Performance The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti launched as a gaming flagship priced at $649, utilizing a slightly cut-down version of the Maxwell GM220 architecture found in the $999 TITAN X. Equipped with 2816 CUDA cores and 6GB of GDDR5 vRAM on a 384-bit memory bus, it delivers high performance at 4K resolution, trailing the TITAN X by only 3–6% at stock settings. It...Read more

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tweaktown.com
31/05/2015

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti reference video card is a highly capable flagship GPU built on the GM200 Maxwell architecture, successfully delivering performance that directly rivals the significantly more expensive Titan X. Priced competitively at $649, it serves as an excellent upgrade path for gamers transitioning from older architectures like the GTX 680 or GTX 780 Ti. Equipped...Read more

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techgage.com
31/05/2015

The Techgage review positions the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti as a top-tier GPU, delivering near-flagship performance with a 6GB GDDR5 framebuffer at a competitive $649 price point, serving as a massive upgrade for legacy users. Key advantages include its Maxwell architecture, 384-bit memory bus, and efficient power draw, offering performance very close to the more expensive Titan X....Read more

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pcmag.com
31/05/2015

The PCMag review highlights the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti as an outstanding, high-end graphics card, offering performance nearly identical to the $1,000 Titan X for a $649 MSRP based on the Maxwell architecture. It excels at single-screen 4K gaming, manages a 250-watt TDP, and offers a quiet, well-cooled experience for enthusiast gamers. Conversely, the card is not quite as powerful...Read more

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techpowerup.com
31/05/2015

The TechPowerUp review finds the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti to be a highly powerful flagship GPU, offering near-Titan X performance at a $650 launch price. Based on the 28 nm Maxwell architecture with 2,816 CUDA cores and 6 GB of GDDR5 memory, it provides excellent scaling for 1440p and 4K gaming while maintaining superior power efficiency. Key strengths highlighted include a massive...Read more

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pcgamer.com
31/05/2015

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti delivers exceptional enthusiast-level performance by utilizing a slightly cut-down version of the GM200 Maxwell architecture found in the flagship Titan X. It retains the same 96 ROPs and 384-bit memory bus as its luxury sibling but cuts the VRAM down to 6GB. In benchmark testing across multiple demanding games, the card achieves roughly 95% of the...Read more

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techspot.com
31/05/2015

The TechSpot review of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti highlights the GPU as a dominant, high-end contender, offering 90% of the Titan X's performance for a lower price. Based on the GM200 Maxwell architecture with 6GB of VRAM, it excels at 1440p and 4K gaming, boasting significant overclocking headroom and high power efficiency. YouTube · Key cons include high, 84-degree Celsius...Read more

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tomshardware.com
17/03/2016

The Corsair Hydro GFX GeForce GTX 980 Ti is a high-end, liquid-cooled graphics card born from a partnership with MSI, matching the physical design and engineering of the MSI GTX 980 Ti Sea Hawk. It features a hybrid cooling solution that pairs a standard blower-style centrifugal fan to cool the VRMs and memory modules with a closed-loop Corsair H55 120mm radiator to handle the GPU...Read more

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techpowerup.com
12/02/2016

The TechPowerUp review of the ASUS GeForce GTX 980 Ti Matrix highlights a premium, high-performance card tailored for enthusiasts, featuring a massive factory overclock that makes it 20% faster than the reference GTX 980 Ti at 4K. Key advantages include exceptional out-of-the-box performance, extreme overclocking features like a memory defroster for sub-zero cooling, and a robust,...Read more

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techpowerup.com
22/06/2015

The TechPowerUp review concludes that the EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti SC+ ACX 2.0+ is an exceptional, factory-overclocked card that outperforms the Titan X, offering excellent 1440p performance with an idle-fan-off feature and a premium, budget-friendly $20 premium over reference. However, it is limited by the reference PCB's power constraints and lacks advanced voltage control,...Read more

I
in.ign.com
01/06/2015

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti delivers performance virtually identical to the flagship Titan X but at a significantly lower launch price of $650, making it an incredible value for PC gamers looking to upgrade. Built on the "Big Maxwell" GM200 architecture, it features 2,816 CUDA cores and 6GB of VRAM on a 384-bit bus, which provides plenty of power to run demanding games smoothly at...Read more

I
ign.com
02/06/2023

Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti Review Summary The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti acts as a preemptive strike against AMD, delivering flagship performance by utilizing the "Big Maxwell" GM200 architecture found in the $1,000 Titan X, but at a much lower launch price of $650. Essentially a slightly trimmed Titan X, the 980 Ti features 2,816 CUDA cores and 6GB of VRAM on a 384-bit bus,...Read more

G
gamestar.de
01/06/2015

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti delivers performance remarkably close to the flagship GTX Titan X for a significantly lower launch price of 740 Euro compared to the Titan's 1,050 Euro. Built on a slightly modified Maxwell GM200 architecture, it features 2,816 shader units, 176 texture units, and 6.0 GB of VRAM via a 384-bit memory interface. This architecture allows the card to...Read more

H
hardwareluxx.de
10/06/2015

The EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti SuperClocked+ ACX 2.0 is a factory-overclocked, high-end graphics card built on NVIDIA's 28 nm Maxwell GM200 architecture, featuring 2,816 shader units and 6,144 MB of GDDR5 memory across a 384-bit interface. EVGA has notably enhanced the performance over the reference design by raising the base clock from 1,000 MHz to 1,102 MHz, and the minimum boost...Read more

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hardware.fr
23/07/2015

The review evaluates the custom EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti SuperClocked+ (SC+) and the hybrid liquid-cooled Inno3D iChill GeForce GTX 980 Ti Black. The EVGA SC+ features a modest 1102 MHz base clock speed and relies on the dual-fan ACX 2.0+ cooler, yielding an 8% performance boost over the reference model while retaining a standard 250W power limit. Its primary benefits include a...Read more

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modding.fr
15/12/2015

The Modding.fr review of the Gigabyte GTX 980 Ti Xtreme Gaming highlights a premium, heavily customized card featuring significant factory overclocks (1216/1317 MHz) and an efficient, quiet Windforce 3X cooler capable of handling 300W. Key strengths include customizable RGB lighting, a sturdy backplate, and specialized features for extreme overclockers, such as a dedicated LN2 mode...Read more

H
hardware.fr
01/06/2015

The Hardware.fr review positions the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti as the highly anticipated, close sibling to the ultra-exclusive Titan X, leveraging the identical 8-billion transistor GM200 Maxwell architecture. Released merely two months after its predecessor, this flagship-tier card drops the VRAM down to a more practical 6 GB of video memory. The core pros highlighted in the review...Read more

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clubic.com
01/06/2015

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti delivers performance remarkably close to the flagship GTX Titan X by utilizing the same 28 nm GM200 Maxwell architecture with 8 billion transistors. To lower the entry price to around 750 euros TTC, NVIDIA reduced the hardware configuration slightly to 2,816 CUDA cores, 176 texture units, and a more reasonable 6 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 384-bit bus. In...Read more

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elchapuzasinformatico.com
28/12/2015

The KFA2 GeForce GTX 980 Ti HOF is a premium, enthusiast-grade graphics card featuring a distinctive white PCB and massive triple-fan cooler, designed specifically for extreme overclocking. It boasts high factory overclocks (1,190 MHz base / 1,291 MHz boost), 6GB of GDDR5 VRAM, and impressive performance for 1440p and 4K gaming, complemented by a robust 8 phase design, backplate,...Read more

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elchapuzasinformatico.com
03/01/2016

The El Chapuzas Informático review of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti SLI configuration (using KFA2 HOF and Gigabyte G1 cards) highlights massive 4K gaming performance, boasting 5,632 CUDA cores, 352 TMUs, and 192 ROPs for exceptional, future-proofed, high-fidelity, and VR gaming capabilities. This powerful setup, tested with an Intel Core i7-6700K, excels at demanding visual tasks...Read more

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geeknetic.es
01/06/2015

Nvidia GeForce GTX 980Ti The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980Ti bridges the gap between the GTX 980 and the high-end Titan X, utilizing the highly efficient 28nm Maxwell architecture to deliver an impressive boost in performance over its predecessor. It features 6GB of GDDR5 VRAM with a 384-bit data bus, delivering nearly 337 GB/s of bandwidth. This architecture benefits from advanced color...Read more

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multiplayer.it
01/06/2015

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980Ti is a highly capable top-tier graphics card that delivers performance nearly identical to the prosumer TITAN X but at a much more competitive price point. Built on the 28-nanometer Maxwell architecture using a streamlined GM200 chip, it features 2,816 CUDA cores, a base clock of 1,000 MHz (boosting up to 1,075 MHz), and 6 GB of VRAM with a 336.2 GB/s...Read more

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tomshw.it
30/05/2015

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti delivers nearly flagship-level gaming performance at a significantly lower price point than the GTX Titan X, launching at €614 plus VAT (approximately €750). Based on a slightly modified GM200 Maxwell architecture, it features 2816 CUDA cores, 176 texture units, and a substantial 6 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 384-bit bus. This configuration provides an impressive...Read more

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tech.everyeye.it
26/06/2015

The Everyeye Tech review evaluates the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti as an excellent, high-end single GPU that acts as a gamer-focused alternative to the flagship Titan X. Built on the Maxwell (GM200) architecture, the card features 6GB of GDDR5 RAM and 2816 CUDA cores. In real-world gaming benchmarks at 1440p resolution, it effortlessly crushes modern titles, keeping Alien Isolation...Read more

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tweakers.net
01/06/2015

The Tweakers.net review identifies the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti as a "Titan X Junior," offering near-flagship performance via a slightly scaled-down GM200 Maxwell GPU with 8 billion transistors, 2,816 CUDA cores, and 6 GB of GDDR5 memory. Benchmarks indicate the card delivers exceptional 1440p and 4K performance that rivals the much more expensive Titan X, with the added benefit of...Read more

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