NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
These two cards score identically in our gaming index. The decision comes down to VRAM, power draw and price.
| Specification | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance score | 17/100 | 17/100 |
| Tier | D | D |
| VRAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Power draw (TDP) | 165 W | 130 W |
| Launch MSRP | $549 | $249 |
| Performance per $100 | 3.1 | 6.8 |
| Release year | 2014 | 2022 |
| DLSS | — No | ✓ Yes |
| FSR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| XeSS | — No | — No |
| Ray tracing | — No | ✓ Yes |
Which should you buy?
Performance is a tie, so the tie-breakers below decide it. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 8GB carries more VRAM (8GB vs 4GB), which matters at 1440p and above and for texture-heavy titles. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 8GB draws 35W less, so it is easier on your power supply and case cooling — check the PSU calculator before committing. On launch pricing, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers better performance per dollar.