GeForce GTX 980

Reference GPU
Maxwell 2.0GeForce 900 SeriesDesktopDesktopGDDR52014NVIDIA
Partial entry. Core specifications may be present, but history, variant notes, known issues, and source review may be incomplete.
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At a Glance

Entry Type
Reference GPU
Architecture
Maxwell 2.0
Series
GeForce 900 Series
GPU Die
GM204
Launch Date
2014-09-19
CUDA Cores
2,048
TMUs
128
ROPs
64
Memory
4 GB GDDR5
Bus Width
256-bit
TDP/TBP
165 W
Rec. PSU
450 W
Interface
PCIe 3.0 x16
Data Confidence
Partial

Overview

GeForce GTX 980 is an NVIDIA GPU entry in the GeForce 900 Series family. It is listed with Maxwell 2.0 architecture and GM204 silicon.

Key reference data: 2,048 CUDA cores/shaders, 4 GB GDDR5 memory, 256-bit memory bus, 165 W board power class.

Board-partner cards can vary in cooler, PCB, display outputs, clocks, BIOS behavior, and power connector layout.

Why It Mattered

GeForce GTX 980 is a priority page because it is the flagship launch card for high-end Maxwell and the reference point for GTX 970, GTX 980 Ti, and GTX 1060 comparisons. The page should explain why Maxwell efficiency mattered without copying launch hype.

Collector Notes

For archival use, record the board vendor, PCB revision, bus type, memory chips and capacity, BIOS version, cooler or fan, display outputs, TV-out or DVI adapter cables, and photos of both sides of the card.

Used-Market Caution

Before buying used, confirm PCI or AGP voltage compatibility, required legacy driver and OS support, visible capacitor damage, fan noise, memory artifacts, missing breakout cables, and whether the card has been tested in period-correct hardware.

Known Issues

Known issues pending source review.

Reviews1 review

Board-partner, reference-card, article, and video reviews that cover this GPU.

Related GPUs

Back to GeForce 900 Series

Previous in series: GeForce GTX 970MNext in series: GeForce GTX 980 Mobile
SourcesPartial

Sources reviewed: 2026-06-21

This entry is still being source-checked.

Data confidence and source status

Partial entry. Core specifications may be present, but history, variant notes, known issues, and source review may be incomplete.

  • Verified: core specifications and historical notes have been reviewed against listed sources.
  • Partial: core specifications may be present, but history, variant notes, known issues, and source review may be incomplete.
  • Imported: spec-only imported entry pending editorial source review.
  • Needs source review: narrative notes are incomplete until reviewed.

Primary / manufacturer sources

  1. NVIDIA Newsroom, NVIDIA Unveils Full Power of Maxwell GPU Architecture With GeForce GTX 980 and 970Primary launch source for GTX 980 and high-end Maxwell.Open source
  2. NVIDIA, GeForce GTX 900 Series Graphics CardsOfficial product-family page for GTX 980/970/980 Ti historical framing.Open source
  3. NVIDIA GAME24 keynote videoOfficial launch-event context; use only for attributed launch framing, not independent benchmarks.Open source

Independent reference sources

  1. TechPowerUp GPU SpecsModel-level specification reference for this GPU entryOpen source

Derived datasets and spec dumps

  1. RightNow GPU DatabaseOpen data inventory used for bulk normalization and cross-checking Derived/spec-dump source. Treat as a reference dataset, not independent historical verification.Open source

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