If you are a gamer, you know the importance of having a high-performing graphics card.
One of the most popular graphics cards on the market is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980.
In this post, we will take a deep look at Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 along with its specifications, design, performance, connectivity, price, and many more.
Overview of Nvidia GeForce GTX 980
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 is a great choice.
Launched in 2014, the GTX 980 was one of the most powerful graphics cards of its time, and it still holds up well today.
The GTX 980 is based on NVidia’s Maxwell architecture and is built on a 28 nm process.
It has 2048 CUDA cores and a base clock speed of 1064 MHz, which can be boosted up to 1216 MHz.
It also has 4 GB of GDDR5 memory with a memory clock speed of 7.0 Gbps.
One of the standout features of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 is its power efficiency.
Despite its impressive performance, it only requires a 500W power supply and has a TDP of just 165W.
This makes it a great choice for gamers who want top-tier performance without breaking the bank on their electricity bill.
The GTX 980 also supports DirectX 12, which means it can handle the latest games with ease.
It is also compatible with NVidia’s G-Sync technology, which synchronizes the refresh rate of your monitor with the output of your graphics card for smoother gameplay.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Specifications
GPU Architecture
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 features the Maxwell architecture, which is built on the 28nm manufacturing process.
It has 2048 CUDA cores, 128 texture units, and 64 ROPs.
The base clock speed is 1126 MHz and it can boost up to 1216 MHz. The TDP is 165 watts.
Memory Specifications
The graphics card comes with 4 GB of GDDR5 memory with a 256-bit memory interface.
It has a memory clock speed of 1750 MHz and a memory bandwidth of 224 GB/s.
Display Support
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 supports multiple displays with VGA, DisplayPort, and HDMI outputs.
It can support up to four displays simultaneously.
It supports a maximum resolution of 4096×2160 at 60Hz.
It also features H.264, VC1, MPEG2 1080p video decoder.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Performance
Gaming Performance
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 is a powerful graphics card that delivers excellent gaming performance.
With 2048 CUDA cores and a base clock speed of 1127 MHz, the GTX 980 can handle even the most demanding games with ease.
It also has a boost clock speed of up to 1216 MHz, which provides an extra performance boost when needed.
The GTX 980 is capable of playing games at 1080p and 1440p resolutions with high frame rates.
According to our test, the GTX 980 can achieve an average frame rate of 183 FPS, while in Fortnite, it can achieve an average frame rate of 105 FPS.
In PUBG, the GTX 980 can achieve an average frame rate of 70 FPS, while in GTA-V, it can achieve an average frame rate of 61 FPS.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Benchmark Scores
According to our test, the GTX 980 has a rating of 66.2%, which is still a respectable score even by today’s standards.
It has been superset by the GTX 1080, but it still holds its own against many of the newer graphics cards on the market.
The GTX 980 has a memory speed of 7.0 Gbps and a memory interface of GDDR5.
It draws power from 2x 6-pin power connectors and has a maximum power draw of 165 W.
It has a dual-slot design and supports 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0, and 3x DisplayPort 1.2.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Dimensions
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 is a dual-slot graphics card with dimensions of 267mm x 111mm x 40mm.
It is a relatively large graphics card, so make sure to check that it will fit in your computer case before purchasing.
The card draws power from two 6-pin power connectors with a maximum power draw of 165W.
It is connected to the rest of the system using a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 interface.
In terms of display outputs, the card features a DVI port, an HDMI 2.0 port, and three DisplayPort 1.2 ports.
This provides plenty of options for connecting to different types of displays.
Cooling and Design
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 features a sleek and modern design that looks great in any gaming rig.
It has a black and silver color scheme with a glowing green NVIDIA logo on the side.
The card is well built and feels sturdy in your hand.
The GeForce GTX 980 uses NVIDIA’s advanced cooling technology to keep the card running cool and quiet.
The card features a custom cooler with dual fans that provide excellent airflow over the heatsink.
This helps to dissipate heat quickly and efficiently, keeping the card running at optimal temperatures even during intense gaming sessions.
The cooler is also design to be quiet, so you can enjoy your games without any distracting fan noise.
The fans only spin up when the card is under heavy load, and they automatically adjust their speed based on the temperature of the card.
This ensures that the card runs as quietly as possible while still providing excellent cooling performance.
Power Requirements
To power the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980, you will need a minimum of a 500-Watt or greater system power supply.
This is the minimum system power requirement based on a PC configured with an Intel Core i7 3.2 GHz processor.
The actual power consumption of your system will depend on various factors such as the CPU, other components, and the usage pattern.
It is important to note that the power supply unit (PSU) should not only meet the minimum power requirement but also have the necessary connectors and wattage to support the graphics card.
The GeForce GTX 980 requires two 8-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors. Make sure your PSU has these connectors and can deliver sufficient wattage to avoid any stability issues or damage to the graphics card.
NVIDIA recommends that you use a high-quality power supply with a 12V current rating of 42A or more to ensure optimal performance and stability.
A power supply with a single 12V rail is preferred over a multiple 12V rail design.
Compatibility
If you are planning to upgrade your PC with a new graphics card, it is important to ensure that the card is compatible with your system.
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 is a high-end graphics card that requires a compatible system to function properly.
The GTX 980 requires a PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot.
It is also important to check the physical dimensions of the graphics card and ensure that it will fit inside your PC case.
The GTX 980 has a length of 10.5 inches and a height of 4.376 inches.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Connectivity
The card features no less than five display connectors, including three DisplayPort’s, one HDMI 2.0, and one dual-link DVI with analog/VGA pins for compatibility with D-Sub only monitors.
The three DisplayPort’s are particularly noteworthy, as they allow you to take advantage of NVIDIA’s G-Sync technology, which provides a smoother gaming experience by synchronizing the refresh rate of your monitor with the frame rate of your graphics card.
This technology can eliminate screen tearing and stuttering, making it an appealing option for serious gamers.
The GeForce GTX 980 also supports VGA analog display, DisplayPort multimode, and H.264, VC1, and MPEG2 1080p video decoding.
Read Also: Clevo NH70 Laptop Review
Software and Features
Nvidia GeForce Experience
The Nvidia GeForce Experience is a software suite that allows you to optimize your gaming experience and keep your drivers up to date.
It also offers a range of features that can enhance your gameplay, such as NVIDIA Ansel, which lets you take high-resolution screenshots, and NVIDIA Freestyle, which allows you to apply post-processing filters to your games.
VR Ready
The NVidia GeForce GTX 980 is VR Ready, which means it is capable of delivering a smooth and immersive virtual reality experience.
To take advantage of the card’s VR capabilities, you will need a VR headset and compatible software.
The GeForce Experience includes a VR tab, which provides you with all the information you need to get started with VR gaming.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Price and Availability
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 was release in September 2014 with launch price of $549.
Now, it is available on different platform with different price tags.
Read Also: Acer Aspire 7 A717 72G Review
Conclusion
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 is a powerful graphics card that offers excellent performance and efficiency.
It is a great option for gamers who demand high-quality graphics and smooth gameplay.
Compared to its predecessor, the GTX 780, the GTX 980 offers significant improvements in performance and power consumption.
It also features new software features like MFAA and DSR, which further enhance the gaming experience.
It is a solid investment for gamers who want to play the latest games at the highest settings without breaking the bank.
