AMD Radeon RX 480 8GB vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti
Detailed gaming performance comparison
Reference CPU: Intel Core i5-13400
We compare the RX 480 8GB and the GTX 980 Ti with real FPS across the most popular games at 1080p, 1440p and 4K, plus specs, launch price and AI upscaling support (DLSS/FSR/XeSS). See at a glance which is better for your resolution and budget.
The GTX 980 Ti is ~26% faster than the RX 480 8GB on average at 1080p. On top of that, the RX 480 8GB is 63% cheaper (launch price).
RX 480 8GB
- Index (1080p)
- 21/100
- VRAM
- 8 GB
- Price (MSRP)
- $239 · ≈ €220
- Upscaling
- FSR
GTX 980 Ti
- Index (1080p)
- 26/100
- VRAM
- 6 GB
- Price (MSRP)
- $649 · ≈ €597
- Upscaling
- FSR
Average FPS by resolution
Estimated average FPS for each graphics card across the most popular games. The gap usually shows at 1080p and 1440p; at 4K both lose smoothness and upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps.
| Resolution | RX 480 8GB | GTX 980 Ti | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 23 | 29 | +26% |
| 1440p | 15 | 21 | +40% |
| 4K | 5 | 9 | +80% |
Specifications
Side-by-side specs of the RX 480 8GB and GTX 980 Ti: VRAM, power draw (TDP), performance index and launch price. The better value in each row is highlighted in blue.
| Spec | RX 480 8GB | GTX 980 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | AMD | NVIDIA |
| VRAM | 8 GB | 6 GB |
| TDP | 150W | 250W |
| Tier | Mid-range | High-end |
| Score 1080p | 21 | 26 |
| Score 1440p | 15 | 21 |
| Score 4K | 7 | 12 |
| Price (MSRP) | $239 | $649 |
Gaming Performance
Per-game FPS detail at 1080p Ultra. The graphics card that wins each title is highlighted in blue.
| Game | RX 480 8GB | GTX 980 Ti | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition | 24FPS | 30FPS | GTX 980 Ti |
| Grand Theft Auto VI | 19FPS | 23FPS | GTX 980 Ti |
| Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra | 24FPS | 29FPS | GTX 980 Ti |
| Marathon | 24FPS | 29FPS | GTX 980 Ti |
| Gears of War: E-Day | 21FPS | 26FPS | GTX 980 Ti |
| Onimusha: Way of the Sword | 25FPS | 32FPS | GTX 980 Ti |
| Phantom Blade Zero | 24FPS | 29FPS | GTX 980 Ti |
| 007 First Light | 24FPS | 29FPS | GTX 980 Ti |
| The Blood of Dawnwalker | 20FPS | 25FPS | GTX 980 Ti |
| Pathologic 3 | 29FPS | 36FPS | GTX 980 Ti |
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti wins in 10 out of 10 games
We recommend NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti as the best option for gaming.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions when comparing the RX 480 8GB with the GTX 980 Ti.
Which is better, the RX 480 8GB or the GTX 980 Ti?
On average at 1080p, the GTX 980 Ti is 26% faster than the RX 480 8GB. The best one for you depends on your resolution, budget and whether you prioritise ray tracing or price.
Which is better at 4K?
At 4K Ultra, the RX 480 8GB averages 5 FPS and the GTX 980 Ti 9 FPS across the most popular games. For smooth 4K, enabling upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps on both.
Is it worth paying more for the faster one?
At 1080p or 1440p the FPS gap may not justify the extra cost; at 4K or with ray tracing the faster card matters more. Check the by-resolution table to decide.
Which has better ray tracing and upscaling?
AI upscaling (DLSS on NVIDIA, FSR on AMD, XeSS on Intel) raises FPS on both; for ray tracing, GeForce RTX cards usually lead. See each card’s support above.
How big is the FPS difference between them?
On average across top games, the gap is around 26% at 1080p. At higher resolutions (1440p and 4K) the relative difference usually stays similar.