GeForce GTX 980 vs GTX 1070

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Aggregate performance score

We've compared GeForce GTX 1070 and GeForce GTX 980, covering specs and all relevant benchmarks.

GTX 1070
2016
8 GB GDDR5, 150 Watt
35.05
+21.6%

GTX 1070 outperforms GTX 980 by a significant 22% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

GPU architecture, market segment, value for money and other general parameters compared.

Place in the ranking145195
Place by popularity28not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation23.5210.98
Power efficiency16.0211.97
ArchitecturePascal (2016−2021)Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)
GPU code nameGP104GM204
Market segmentDesktopDesktop
Release date10 June 2016 (8 years ago)19 September 2014 (10 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$379 $549

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance to price ratio. The higher, the better.

GTX 1070 has 114% better value for money than GTX 980.

Detailed specifications

General parameters such as number of shaders, GPU core base clock and boost clock speeds, manufacturing process, texturing and calculation speed. Note that power consumption of some graphics cards can well exceed their nominal TDP, especially when overclocked.

Pipelines / CUDA cores19202048
Core clock speed1506 MHz1064 MHz
Boost clock speed1683 MHz1216 MHz
Number of transistors7,200 million5,200 million
Manufacturing process technology16 nm28 nm
Power consumption (TDP)150 Watt165 Watt
Maximum GPU temperature94 °Cno data
Texture fill rate202.0155.6
Floating-point processing power6.463 TFLOPS4.981 TFLOPS
ROPs6464
TMUs120128

Form factor & compatibility

Information on compatibility with other computer components. Useful when choosing a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. For desktop graphics cards it's interface and bus (motherboard compatibility), additional power connectors (power supply compatibility).

Bus supportPCIe 3.0PCI Express 3.0
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
Length267 mm267 mm
Height4.376" (11.1 cm)4.376" (11.1 cm)
Width2-slot2-slot
Recommended system power (PSU)500 Watt500 Watt
Supplementary power connectors1x 8-pin2x 6-pin
SLI options++

VRAM capacity and type

Parameters of VRAM installed: its type, size, bus, clock and resulting bandwidth. Integrated GPUs have no dedicated video RAM and use a shared part of system RAM.

Memory typeGDDR5GDDR5
Maximum RAM amount8 GB4 GB
Memory bus width256 Bit256 Bit
Memory clock speed8 GB/s7.0 GB/s
Memory bandwidth256 GB/s224 GB/s
Shared memory--

Connectivity and outputs

Types and number of video connectors present on the reviewed GPUs. As a rule, data in this section is precise only for desktop reference ones (so-called Founders Edition for NVIDIA chips). OEM manufacturers may change the number and type of output ports, while for notebook cards availability of certain video outputs ports depends on the laptop model rather than on the card itself.

Display ConnectorsDP 1.42, HDMI 2.0b, Dual Link-DVIDual Link DVI-I, HDMI 2.0, 3x DisplayPort 1.2
Multi monitor support+4 displays
VGA аnalog display supportno data+
DisplayPort Multimode (DP++) supportno data+
HDMI++
HDCP-+
Maximum VGA resolutionno data2048x1536
G-SYNC support++
Audio input for HDMIno dataInternal

Supported technologies

Supported technological solutions. This information will prove useful if you need some particular technology for your purposes.

GameStream-+
GeForce ShadowPlay-+
GPU Boost3.02.0
GameWorks-+
H.264, VC1, MPEG2 1080p video decoder-+
Optimus-+
BatteryBoost-+
VR Ready+no data
Ansel+no data

API compatibility

List of supported 3D and general-purpose computing APIs, including their specific versions.

DirectX12 (12_1)12 (12_1)
Shader Model6.46.4
OpenGL4.54.5
OpenCL1.21.2
Vulkan+1.1.126
CUDA++

Synthetic benchmark performance

Non-gaming benchmark results comparison. The combined score is measured on a 0-100 point scale.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark score. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

GTX 1070 35.05
+21.6%
GTX 980 28.82

Passmark

This is the most ubiquitous GPU benchmark. It gives the graphics card a thorough evaluation under various types of load, providing four separate benchmarks for Direct3D versions 9, 10, 11 and 12 (the last being done in 4K resolution if possible), and few more tests engaging DirectCompute capabilities.

GTX 1070 13504
+21.6%
GTX 980 11104

3DMark 11 Performance GPU

3DMark 11 is an obsolete DirectX 11 benchmark by Futuremark. It used four tests based on two scenes, one being few submarines exploring the submerged wreck of a sunken ship, the other is an abandoned temple deep in the jungle. All the tests are heavy with volumetric lighting and tessellation, and despite being done in 1280x720 resolution, are relatively taxing. Discontinued in January 2020, 3DMark 11 is now superseded by Time Spy.

GTX 1070 24652
+40%
GTX 980 17605

3DMark Vantage Performance

3DMark Vantage is an outdated DirectX 10 benchmark using 1280x1024 screen resolution. It taxes the graphics card with two scenes, one depicting a girl escaping some militarized base located within a sea cave, the other displaying a space fleet attack on a defenseless planet. It was discontinued in April 2017, and Time Spy benchmark is now recommended to be used instead.

GTX 1070 50995
+34.2%
GTX 980 37997

3DMark Fire Strike Graphics

Fire Strike is a DirectX 11 benchmark for gaming PCs. It features two separate tests displaying a fight between a humanoid and a fiery creature made of lava. Using 1920x1080 resolution, Fire Strike shows off some realistic graphics and is quite taxing on hardware.

GTX 1070 18255
+41.1%
GTX 980 12938

3DMark Cloud Gate GPU

Cloud Gate is an outdated DirectX 11 feature level 10 benchmark that was used for home PCs and basic notebooks. It displays a few scenes of some weird space teleportation device launching spaceships into unknown, using fixed resolution of 1280x720. Just like Ice Storm benchmark, it has been discontinued in January 2020 and replaced by 3DMark Night Raid.

GTX 1070 106934
+25.3%
GTX 980 85374

GeekBench 5 OpenCL

Geekbench 5 is a widespread graphics card benchmark combined from 11 different test scenarios. All these scenarios rely on direct usage of GPU's processing power, no 3D rendering is involved. This variation uses OpenCL API by Khronos Group.

GTX 1070 47357
+35.8%
GTX 980 34883

3DMark Ice Storm GPU

Ice Storm Graphics is an obsolete benchmark, part of 3DMark suite. Ice Storm was used to measure entry level laptops and Windows-based tablets performance. It utilizes DirectX 11 feature level 9 to display a battle between two space fleets near a frozen planet in 1280x720 resolution. Discontinued in January 2020, it is now superseded by 3DMark Night Raid.

GTX 1070 463865
+43.6%
GTX 980 323076

GeekBench 5 Vulkan

Geekbench 5 is a widespread graphics card benchmark combined from 11 different test scenarios. All these scenarios rely on direct usage of GPU's processing power, no 3D rendering is involved. This variation uses Vulkan API by AMD & Khronos Group.

GTX 1070 48101
+20.2%
GTX 980 40029

GeekBench 5 CUDA

Geekbench 5 is a widespread graphics card benchmark combined from 11 different test scenarios. All these scenarios rely on direct usage of GPU's processing power, no 3D rendering is involved. This variation uses CUDA API by NVIDIA.

GTX 1070 45301
+53.3%
GTX 980 29546

Unigine Heaven 4.0

This is an old DirectX 11 benchmark, a newer version of Unigine 3.0 with relatively small differences. It displays a fantasy medieval town sprawling over several flying islands. The benchmark is still sometimes used, despite its significant age, as it was released back in 2013.

GTX 1070 2815
+49%
GTX 980 1889

Gaming performance

Let's see how good the compared graphics cards are for gaming. Particular gaming benchmark results are measured in FPS.

Average FPS across all PC games

Here are the average frames per second in a large set of popular games across different resolutions:

Full HD116
+24.7%
93
−24.7%
1440p68
+30.8%
52
−30.8%
4K47
+23.7%
38
−23.7%

Cost per frame, $

1080p3.275.90
1440p5.5710.56
4K8.0614.45

FPS performance in popular games

Full HD
Low Preset

Cyberpunk 2077 60−65
+25%
45−50
−25%

Full HD
Medium Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey 89
+29%
69
−29%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 60−65
+22.4%
45−50
−22.4%
Battlefield 5 164
+90.7%
86
−90.7%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 91
+54.2%
55−60
−54.2%
Cyberpunk 2077 60−65
+25%
45−50
−25%
Far Cry 5 109
+29.8%
84
−29.8%
Far Cry New Dawn 110
+42.9%
77
−42.9%
Forza Horizon 4 284
+12.3%
253
−12.3%
Hitman 3 70−75
+25.4%
55−60
−25.4%
Horizon Zero Dawn 150−160
+16.3%
120−130
−16.3%
Metro Exodus 127
+29.6%
95−100
−29.6%
Red Dead Redemption 2 115
+57.5%
70−75
−57.5%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 176
+35.4%
130
−35.4%
Watch Dogs: Legion 120−130
+9.9%
110−120
−9.9%

Full HD
High Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey 121
+45.8%
83
−45.8%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 60−65
+22.4%
45−50
−22.4%
Battlefield 5 152
+105%
74
−105%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 82
+39%
55−60
−39%
Cyberpunk 2077 60−65
+25%
45−50
−25%
Far Cry 5 88
+27.5%
69
−27.5%
Far Cry New Dawn 86
+34.4%
64
−34.4%
Forza Horizon 4 261
+13.5%
230
−13.5%
Hitman 3 70−75
+25.4%
55−60
−25.4%
Horizon Zero Dawn 150−160
+16.3%
120−130
−16.3%
Metro Exodus 112
+14.3%
95−100
−14.3%
Red Dead Redemption 2 94
+28.8%
70−75
−28.8%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 120−130
+25%
100−105
−25%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 70−75
−80.8%
132
+80.8%
Watch Dogs: Legion 120−130
+9.9%
110−120
−9.9%

Full HD
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey 55
+57.1%
35
−57.1%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 60−65
+22.4%
45−50
−22.4%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 61
+3.4%
55−60
−3.4%
Cyberpunk 2077 60−65
+25%
45−50
−25%
Far Cry 5 66
+32%
50
−32%
Forza Horizon 4 94
+59.3%
59
−59.3%
Hitman 3 70−75
+25.4%
55−60
−25.4%
Horizon Zero Dawn 150−160
+16.3%
120−130
−16.3%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 120−130
+25%
100−105
−25%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 63
+37%
46
−37%
Watch Dogs: Legion 120−130
+9.9%
110−120
−9.9%

Full HD
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2 93
+27.4%
70−75
−27.4%

1440p
High Preset

Battlefield 5 71
+51.1%
47
−51.1%
Far Cry New Dawn 58
+31.8%
44
−31.8%

1440p
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey 45
+66.7%
27
−66.7%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 35−40
+31%
27−30
−31%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 43
+30.3%
30−35
−30.3%
Cyberpunk 2077 24−27
+30%
20−22
−30%
Far Cry 5 47
+42.4%
33
−42.4%
Forza Horizon 4 248
+68.7%
147
−68.7%
Hitman 3 40−45
+25.7%
35−40
−25.7%
Horizon Zero Dawn 75−80
+25%
60−65
−25%
Metro Exodus 71
+29.1%
55−60
−29.1%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 80−85
+27.7%
65−70
−27.7%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 45−50
+32.4%
35−40
−32.4%
Watch Dogs: Legion 170−180
+14%
150−160
−14%

1440p
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2 69
+40.8%
45−50
−40.8%

4K
High Preset

Battlefield 5 50
+127%
22
−127%
Far Cry New Dawn 30
+25%
24
−25%
Hitman 3 27−30
+21.7%
21−24
−21.7%
Horizon Zero Dawn 160−170
+15.9%
140−150
−15.9%
Metro Exodus 38
+11.8%
30−35
−11.8%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 43
+48.3%
29
−48.3%

4K
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey 26
+85.7%
14
−85.7%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 21−24
+31.3%
16−18
−31.3%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 24
+41.2%
16−18
−41.2%
Cyberpunk 2077 10−12
+37.5%
8−9
−37.5%
Far Cry 5 23
+43.8%
16
−43.8%
Forza Horizon 4 52
+52.9%
34
−52.9%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 45−50
+27%
35−40
−27%
Watch Dogs: Legion 16−18
+30.8%
12−14
−30.8%

4K
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2 34
+36%
24−27
−36%

This is how GTX 1070 and GTX 980 compete in popular games:

  • GTX 1070 is 25% faster in 1080p
  • GTX 1070 is 31% faster in 1440p
  • GTX 1070 is 24% faster in 4K

Here's the range of performance differences observed across popular games:

  • in Battlefield 5, with 4K resolution and the High Preset, the GTX 1070 is 127% faster.
  • in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, with 1080p resolution and the High Preset, the GTX 980 is 81% faster.

All in all, in popular games:

  • GTX 1070 is ahead in 71 test (99%)
  • GTX 980 is ahead in 1 test (1%)

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 35.05 28.82
Recency 10 June 2016 19 September 2014
Maximum RAM amount 8 GB 4 GB
Chip lithography 16 nm 28 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 165 Watt

GTX 1070 has a 21.6% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, a 100% higher maximum VRAM amount, a 75% more advanced lithography process, and 10% lower power consumption.

The GeForce GTX 1070 is our recommended choice as it beats the GeForce GTX 980 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions concerning choice between the reviewed GPUs, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite graphics card.


NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
GeForce GTX 1070
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980
GeForce GTX 980

Comparisons with similar GPUs

We selected several comparisons of graphics cards with performance close to those reviewed, providing you with more options to consider.

Community ratings

Here you can see the user ratings of the compared graphics cards, as well as rate them yourself.


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