NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 vs AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 is the faster card by roughly 6%. Here is how the two compare across every spec that matters for gaming.
| Specification | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 | AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance score | 17/100 | 16/100 |
| Tier | D | D |
| VRAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Power draw (TDP) | 165 W | 130 W |
| Launch MSRP | $549 | $199 |
| Performance per $100 | 3.1 | 8.0 |
| Release year | 2014 | 2019 |
| DLSS | — No | — No |
| FSR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| XeSS | — No | — No |
| Ray tracing | — No | — No |
Which should you buy?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 is the stronger performer of the two, and it is the default choice if raw frame rate is what you care about. The AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB carries more VRAM (8GB vs 4GB), which matters at 1440p and above and for texture-heavy titles. The AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB draws 35W less, so it is easier on your power supply and case cooling — check the PSU calculator before committing. On launch pricing, the AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB offers better performance per dollar.