The Top Four GTX 980 Upgrades!

Clearly the GTX 980 was a beast of a GPU when it came out in 2014. However, it’s been almost 8 years and people are looking for suitable upgrades. If you’re among those 980 owners looking for an upgrade, you’re on the right path!

So, what are the good GTX 980 upgrades?

The most budget-friendly upgrade compared to the GTX 980 would be the RTX 2060. While it’s not the latest offering from Nvidia, it’s still 1.5 times more powerful. Then you have top-tier RTX 3080 and 3060 which are just absolute masterpieces. These are the most ideal GPUs from Nvidia.

But the list does not end at Nvidia only. There are some great cards from AMD as well. Let’s find out more about them in full detail!

Is the GTX 980 Still Good?

Before I dig into the whole Nvidia GeForce gtx 980 upgrade choices, let’s analyze the 980. Has the GPU become totally obsolete in 2022? 

Or is the GTX 980 still good as a GPU?

Compared to other mid-range GPUs, GTX 980 performs reasonably well. While it can’t outperform something like the GTX 1660 super, it’s still better than many. Because the prices of recent Graphics cards are beyond affordable. So, you can’t get anything at a cheap price.

However, while the GTX 980 is not bad, it has seen better days. The latest RTX 3000 series is just that much better than the 8-year-old gtx 980. So, if you’re planning to replace your gtx 980 in 2022, I can understand why!

Now, let’s look at the top four gtx 980 ti replacements!

The Four Best GPUs to Upgrade from GTX 980

If you’ve already built your system with an Nvidia card, then sticking with it is better. That way, you won’t have to go through any learning curve. Because of that reason, I’ve tried to suggest the best Nvidia GPUs for you (well mostly!). 

Also, all of these cards are incredibly compatible to upgrade from the GTX 660. So, these suggestions serve as a go-to list for many old Nvidia GPUs.

With that said, take a look at the specs table of all the GPUs mentioned-

From the table, you can already see the differences that the other four GPUs bring.

However, do they really show a significant performance bump in the actual usage? 

Let’s go through all the cards to know.

Nvidia RTX 3080:

I’m not exaggerating when I say that RTX 3080 is a breakthrough in the GPU industry. At the helm, it caters to an 8nm core with a base clock speed of 1440 MHz. On top of that, it has a behemoth 28.3 billion transistor count.

That’s the most on my list for gtx 980 upgrades. So, you can guess how powerful this GPU is in the real world. The GTX 980 can’t even stand in front of the Nvidia RTX 3080 in comparison.

When it was announced, everybody went bonkers to see the performance difference! Some owners didn’t even blink an eye to state their upgrade decision from a GTX 980-

So, when you want the very best thing to upgrade to, RTX 3080 is the one!

Nvidia RTX 3060:

The RTX 3060 GPU is the most value-for-money card in the gtx 980 upgrade options. You can do a 980 ti vs 3060 comparison from the table and see the difference yourself.

Nvidia RTX 3060 is based on 8nm architecture with all the latest Nvidia technologies. The overclocked processors inside can get up to 1777 Mhz speed. That kind of power is plenty for your video editing, gaming, or any heavy loads. 

Any card from the RTX 3000 series is just the perfect companion for your triple-A gaming titles. The RTX 3060 is no exception. You can easily get 100-120 FPS in GTA V with ultra graphics settings.

Also mentioned this card on the GTX 960 upgrades as well. So, you can probably guess how good this GPU is!

So, if you’re looking for value for money, 3060 is the best upgrade from gtx 980.

Nvidia RTX 2060:

This graphics card is the older brother of 3060, but it still packs a ferocious punch! Not only is it two generations upgraded from 980, but it’s also 1.5 times more powerful. Even the clock speeds of the processors are 30-40% more efficient.

The most obvious difference can be seen in the gaming and editing sessions. Nvidia RTX 2060 saves up to 10-15 minutes while rendering videos. Moreover, your regular games will feel smooth and responsive because of the GPU’s computational prowess.

While it’s based on the 12nm architecture, it can easily beat the 10 nm-based mid-range GPUs. So, the build will not hinder your daily performance.

AMD 6700 XT:

The final recommendation is the AMD 6700 XT. The 6700 XT increases the computing core to 40 units with 12 GB GDDR6 RAM. These incredible upgrades are enough to make your gaming session magical!

Also, no other GPU in my list has the 7nm architecture. That means the build of AMD 6700 XT is as good as it gets!

Your triple-A titles can easily get 140+ FPS in 1080p settings. Even the latest FidelityFX Super Resolution technology can double the FPS in certain games! The boost frequency is also far superior to others with 2561 MHz.

However, this bad boy will cost you a lot. So, try to think it through before you go for such a premium GPU.

Now you know which cards are the best to replace your GTX 980. Some of them are pricey, while others are budget-friendly. Whichever you choose to get, you’ll get the improved performance nevertheless. 

However, make sure to clean your GPU every now and then. Even regular maintenance can take your GPU performance to another level. Keeping that in mind, feel free to choose one from the list I created just for you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the GTX 980 High End?

At its release in 2014, it was the top-of-the-line GPU from Nvidia. Having a 28nm processor with 5.6 billion transistors, it was definitely a high-end graphics card. However, in 2022, it can barely be called a high-end GPU because mid-range ones can offer better specs. So, it’s a bit outdated now.

Can a GTX 980 Do 1440p Gaming?

If you’re setting the FPS at 60, then the GTX 980 graphics card can support 1440p. However, if you want better frame rates, then the GTX 980 won’t be enough for 1440p gaming. You’ll notice occasional stutter and frame drops in your games. 1080p is the ideal setting for your Nvidia GTX 980.

Which is better, the GTX 980 or GTX 1050?

The Nvidia GTX 980 is far better than GTX 1050 in numerous categories. It has a better core and boosts the performance of the processors. Even the frame rate in Triple-A titled games like GTA V is 30-40% more in the GTX 980. The GTX 1050 lags behind its high-end counterpart in every major spec.

Endnote

There you have the best GTX 980 upgrades. Now all is left to choose one and see the performance bump!

However, make sure to check the compatibility with your motherboard, CPU, and RAM first. Then decide on a replacement! 

So, have a powerful GPU experience with your new graphics card!