G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce GTX 980 Ti

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 250W instead of 295W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than Radeon RX Vega 64 across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2015-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌
30.1% HIGHER MSRP
$649 MSRPvs$499 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 21.1 vs 28.0 G3D/$ ($649 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

Radeon RX Vega 64

2017

Why buy it

✅23.4% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $150 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $649 MSRP).
✅Delivers 32.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 28.0 vs 21.1 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $649 MSRP).
✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Poor future-proofing: 2017-era hardware with 8 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌18% higher power demand at 295W vs 250W.

GeForce GTX 980 Ti

2015

Radeon RX Vega 64

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 250W instead of 295W, a 45W reduction.

Why buy it

✅23.4% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $150 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $649 MSRP).
✅Delivers 32.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 28.0 vs 21.1 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $649 MSRP).
✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than Radeon RX Vega 64 across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2015-era hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌
30.1% HIGHER MSRP
$649 MSRPvs$499 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 21.1 vs 28.0 G3D/$ ($649 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Poor future-proofing: 2017-era hardware with 8 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌18% higher power demand at 295W vs 250W.

Quick Answers

So, is Radeon RX Vega 64 better than GeForce GTX 980 Ti?

Yes. Radeon RX Vega 64 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 23.4% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data, 1.7% higher PassMark G3D performance, and 8 GB vs 6 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2017 instead of 2015, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce GTX 980 Ti is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting the stronger feature stack with no meaningful modern upscaling stack instead of FSR upscaling. That broader feature stack should age better as more games lean on modern upscaling and frame-generation support.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

Radeon RX Vega 64 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. Radeon RX Vega 64 is about $150 cheaper on MSRP at $499 MSRP versus $649 MSRP, and you are getting 23.4% more estimated average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data and 1.7% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 32.3%. GeForce GTX 980 Ti is the more forward-looking alternative, so it still has a real case if you care more about lower power draw (250W vs 295W) and future-proofing than about squeezing out the strongest gaming value today.

When does GeForce GTX 980 Ti make more sense than Radeon RX Vega 64?

Yes. GeForce GTX 980 Ti is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. It makes more sense if your priority is lower power draw (250W vs 295W), future-proofing, and staying closer to $649 MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of Radeon RX Vega 64. The trade-off is that Radeon RX Vega 64 currently gives you 1.7% higher G3D Mark and 23.4% more estimated average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 32.3%.

Games Benchmarks

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 9800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

GeForce GTX 980 Ti Benchmark Check

Radeon RX Vega 64 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	Radeon RX Vega 64
1080p
low	80 FPS	141 FPS
medium	69 FPS	126 FPS
high	56 FPS	108 FPS
ultra	37 FPS	90 FPS
1440p
low	70 FPS	122 FPS
medium	62 FPS	100 FPS
high	45 FPS	83 FPS
ultra	28 FPS	71 FPS
4K
low	26 FPS	68 FPS
medium	24 FPS	57 FPS
high	16 FPS	43 FPS
ultra	14 FPS	37 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 980 Ti Open Radeon RX Vega 64

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	Radeon RX Vega 64
1080p
low	186 FPS	317 FPS
medium	164 FPS	279 FPS
high	133 FPS	224 FPS
ultra	104 FPS	186 FPS
1440p
low	128 FPS	215 FPS
medium	104 FPS	187 FPS
high	82 FPS	160 FPS
ultra	62 FPS	128 FPS
4K
low	60 FPS	103 FPS
medium	50 FPS	88 FPS
high	46 FPS	73 FPS
ultra	37 FPS	57 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 980 Ti Open Radeon RX Vega 64

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	Radeon RX Vega 64
1080p
low	617 FPS	628 FPS
medium	494 FPS	502 FPS
high	411 FPS	418 FPS
ultra	308 FPS	314 FPS
1440p
low	463 FPS	471 FPS
medium	370 FPS	377 FPS
high	308 FPS	314 FPS
ultra	231 FPS	235 FPS
4K
low	308 FPS	314 FPS
medium	247 FPS	251 FPS
high	206 FPS	209 FPS
ultra	154 FPS	157 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 980 Ti Open Radeon RX Vega 64

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	Radeon RX Vega 64
1080p
low	232 FPS	391 FPS
medium	197 FPS	347 FPS
high	161 FPS	295 FPS
ultra	136 FPS	236 FPS
1440p
low	177 FPS	314 FPS
medium	156 FPS	279 FPS
high	123 FPS	228 FPS
ultra	102 FPS	181 FPS
4K
low	102 FPS	200 FPS
medium	83 FPS	188 FPS
high	67 FPS	152 FPS
ultra	53 FPS	127 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 980 Ti Open Radeon RX Vega 64

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 980 Ti and Radeon RX Vega 64

GeForce GTX 980 Ti

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 2 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1000 MHz to 1075 MHz. It has 2816 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 13,711 points. Launch price was $649.

Radeon RX Vega 64

The Radeon RX Vega 64 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in August 7 2017. It features the GCN 5.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1247 MHz to 1546 MHz. It has 4096 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 295W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 13,949 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti scores 13,711 and the Radeon RX Vega 64 reaches 13,949 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the Radeon RX Vega 64 uses GCN 5.0, both on 28 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 2,816 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 4,096 (Radeon RX Vega 64). Raw compute: 6.06 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 12.66 TFLOPS (Radeon RX Vega 64). Boost clocks: 1075 MHz vs 1546 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	Radeon RX Vega 64
G3D Mark Score	13,711	13,949+2%
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	GCN 5.0
Process Node	28 nm	14 nm
Shading Units	2816	4096+45%
Compute (TFLOPS)	6.06 TFLOPS	12.66 TFLOPS+109%
Boost Clock	1075 MHz	1546 MHz+44%
ROPs	96+50%	64
TMUs	176	256+45%
L1 Cache	1 MB	1 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Radeon RX Vega 64 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	Radeon RX Vega 64
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon RX Vega 64 has 8 GB. The Radeon RX Vega 64 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 336 GB/s (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 484 GB/s (Radeon RX Vega 64) — a 44% advantage for the Radeon RX Vega 64. Bus width: 384-bit vs 2048-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 4 MB (Radeon RX Vega 64) — the Radeon RX Vega 64 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	Radeon RX Vega 64
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	8 GB+33%
Memory Type	GDDR5	HBM2
Memory Bandwidth	336 GB/s	484 GB/s+44%
Bus Width	384-bit	2048-bit+433%
L2 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 12.1 (Radeon RX Vega 64). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	Radeon RX Vega 64
DirectX	12.1	12.1
Vulkan	1.1	1.1
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 3.0 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs VCE 4.0 (Radeon RX Vega 64). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs UVD 7.0. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (Radeon RX Vega 64).

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	Radeon RX Vega 64
Encoder	NVENC 3.0	VCE 4.0
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6	UVD 7.0
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti draws 250W versus the Radeon RX Vega 64's 295W — a 16.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 750W (Radeon RX Vega 64). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 85°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 980 Ti	Radeon RX Vega 64
TDP	250W-15%	295W
Recommended PSU	600W-20%	750W
Power Connector	6-pin + 8-pin	2x 8-pin
Length	267mm	267mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	85°C	85°C
Perf/Watt	54.8+16%	47.3

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 980 Ti launched at $649 MSRP, while the Radeon RX Vega 64 launched at $499. The Radeon RX Vega 64 costs 23.1% less ($150 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 21.1 (GeForce GTX 980 Ti) vs 28.0 (Radeon RX Vega 64) — the Radeon RX Vega 64 offers 32.7% better value. The Radeon RX Vega 64 is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2015).