Is the GTX 980 Worth It for 250?

The choice between the GTX 980 and more modern GPUs like the GTX 1070 can be quite confusing. In this article, we will explore the merits of the GTX 980 and analyze whether it is still worth the investment for a price point of 250$. We will also provide insights on other options and compare them against the GTX 980.

Why You May Be Better Off with a GTX 1070

At the current price point, it is often recommended to opt for a GTX 1070. The GTX 1070 comes equipped with a 16nm GPU, which is more efficient and utilizes only 150W of power. This marks a significant improvement over the GTX 980, which has a 28nm GM204 GPU and a higher power consumption of 1216MHz boost clock compared to the 1683MHz for the Pascal GP104 core in the GTX 1070.

With the GTX 1070, you have the added advantage of an easily overclockable boost clock that can sustain up to 1950MHz. This makes it more future-proof and capable of handling demanding tasks with ease. Additionally, a mildly overclocked GTX 1060 6GB can even outperform a stock GTX 980, despite the 980's 120W TDP, making it a more cost-effective choice.

Alternative Options: GTX 980 Ti vs. Used Vega GPUs

Rendering Tasks: For rendering tasks, the GTX 980 Ti is a decent choice, given its larger core count. However, due to their rarity and high cost (around 250$), the added performance might not be worth the investment unless you are heavily reliant on rendering. Other options like used Vega GPUs might be more cost-effective and provide comparable performance.

Investing in a Used GTX 1060 6GB

For Gaming: If your power supply can handle it and you are more interested in gaming, a GTX 980 might still be a good choice. It can offer improved performance over a GTX 1060 6GB, providing around 15 more frames per second on games like World of Warcraft Classic, even with the memory limitations. However, for a truly future-proof and performant setup, the GTX 1070 is the better choice, especially when it comes to ultra settings at 1080p resolution.

Investment vs. Performance

If your budget allows, a used GTX 1070 would be a more valuable investment, offering better performance and more future-proof capabilities. Alternatively, a used GTX 980 Ti for 300$ might provide decent value, especially for rendering tasks. But a used GTX 1070 remains the best option for balancing performance and future-proofing your system.

Conclusion

While the GTX 980 does offer some solid performance, especially for gaming, the GTX 1070 is generally a better investment. Given the current market trends and the advantages it provides, investing in a GTX 1070 or a GTX 980 Ti is likely to yield better returns in the long run.

Good Luck!