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The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti delivered performance close to the GTX Titan X in many games tested in 2015, while starting at $649.99 versus Titan X’s $999 launch price. It was not identical in every game, and its 6 GB of memory was half the Titan X’s 12 GB. Those figures explain the cards’ release-era value comparison—not what a used GTX 980 Ti costs or how it performs in current games.
What the GTX 980 Ti was
Nvidia positioned the GTX 980 Ti below the GTX Titan X and above the GTX 980 when it launched in 2015. It used the GM200 GPU, the same GPU family as Titan X, but with fewer processing resources and less memory. TechPowerUp’s 2015 launch report listed these reference specifications:
- CUDA cores: 2,816
- Texture units and ROPs: 176 texture units and 96 ROPs
- Memory: 6 GB GDDR5 on a 384-bit interface
- Core clocks: 1,000 MHz base and 1,076 MHz boost
- Rated TDP: 250 W
- Reference-card power connectors: one 6-pin and one 8-pin PCIe connector
- Starting price at launch: $649.99
These are launch-era reference figures. Factory-overclocked and otherwise customized partner cards can differ, so use the exact board’s specifications for fit and power planning.
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GamersNexus’s May 31, 2015 review compared the GTX 980 Ti and Titan X across a suite that included The Witcher 3, Grand Theft Auto V, and Metro: Last Light, as well as other cards. The review found the two top GM200 cards effectively identical in Shadow of Mordor, but identified GRID: Autosport as a game where the difference was visible. The result is a close overall comparison, not a guarantee of equal frame rates in every title.
#1 Best Overall
- CUDA Cores: 2816
- Base Clock (MHz): 2000
- Boost Clock (MHz): 1075
- Memory Clock: 7.0 Gbps
- Standard Memory Config: 6G
Performance depends on the particular game, resolution, graphics settings, and test system. The period results support saying that the 980 Ti could approach Titan X performance in many tested games; they do not establish how either card performs in current games or software.
GTX 980 Ti vs. Titan X: release-era differences
AnandTech’s March 17, 2015 Titan X review lists Titan X with 3,072 CUDA cores, 12 GB of memory, a 250 W TDP, and a $999 launch price. The comparison below uses launch-era specifications and prices, not current offers.
Rank #2
- Item Package Dimension- 12.9133858136L x 6.9291338512W x 3.7401574765H inches
- Item Package Quantity - 1
- Product Type - Video Card
- Accessories may not be original but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic box.
| Specification | GeForce GTX 980 Ti | GeForce GTX Titan X |
|---|---|---|
| GPU family | GM200 | GM200 |
| CUDA cores | 2,816 (TechPowerUp, 2015) | 3,072 (AnandTech, 2015) |
| Memory | 6 GB GDDR5, 384-bit interface (TechPowerUp, 2015) | 12 GB (AnandTech, 2015) |
| TDP | 250 W (TechPowerUp, 2015) | 250 W (AnandTech, 2015) |
| Launch price | $649.99 starting price (TechPowerUp, 2015) | $999 (AnandTech, 2015) |
| Reference PCIe power connectors | One 6-pin plus one 8-pin (TechPowerUp, 2015) | Not stated in AnandTech’s cited comparison table |
The price gap was substantial at launch, while the 980 Ti retained much of the Titan X’s gaming performance in the cited tests. The Titan X’s larger memory capacity and higher CUDA-core count were real differences; they do not mean every game would use the extra memory or that its frame rate would always be higher by the same amount.
Was the GTX 980 Ti better value at launch?
For buyers comparing the two cards at their original prices, the GTX 980 Ti offered the stronger performance-per-dollar case in the period reviews. GamersNexus reviewer Steve Burke concluded: “For nearly all reasonable gaming use cases, the GTX 980 Ti is a substantially better purchase and offers comparatively unbeatable value for high-resolution performance.” That was a 2015 judgment grounded in the cards’ release-era pricing and benchmark results, not a present-day buying recommendation.
Rank #3
- Virtual Reality Ready
- Great for 4K (GeForce GTX 980 Ti & above)
- DirectX12 Ready
- Gamestream to NVIDIA SHIELD
- EVGA "ACX 2.0+" Cooling Technology - Fine-Tuned to Perfection
What to check before considering a used GTX 980 Ti
The historical review does not establish current second-hand prices, stock, driver support, card longevity, or performance in modern games. If you are evaluating a specific listing, check the exact model rather than assuming every GTX 980 Ti matches the reference design.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com
- WINDFORCE 3X cooling system
- Flex Display Technology(patent-pending)
- Powered by NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 GPU
- Integrated with industry's best 4GB GDDR5 memory 256-bit memory interface
Rank #4
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com
- Virtual Reality Ready
- Great for 4K (GeForce GTX 980 Ti & above)
- DirectX12 Ready
- Gamestream to NVIDIA SHIELD
- Confirm the card is actually a GTX 980 Ti and verify its memory and board-partner model.
- Check the seller’s condition description, return terms, and any warranty details.
- Look up the exact card’s dimensions and cooler design, then compare them with your case clearance and airflow.
- Use the manufacturer’s specifications for that board to confirm power connectors and PSU requirements; the reference arrangement is one 6-pin and one 8-pin PCIe connector.
- Judge its value using current local pricing and needs rather than the $649.99 launch price from 2015.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
