How the GeForce GTX 980 Ti performs at 1080p, 1440p and 4K
At 1080p the GeForce GTX 980 Ti averages about 56 fps on High across the 14 games people check most. Most games hold 60 fps, and the heaviest need a step down from High.
At 1440p the typical result drops to 41 fps. 1440p is playable, but expect to lower settings or use upscaling in newer games. At 4K it is about 19 fps. 4K is not what this card is for.
The heaviest game we checked is Black Myth: Wukong, at 30 fps on High at 1080p. The lightest is VALORANT, which the card handles at 300+ fps. If your own games are somewhere in between, the table above shows where.
Memory and power
Six gigabytes is enough for 1080p at High in most games, but it runs out at 1440p in the newest ones. If you see stutter that frame rate does not explain, lower the texture setting one step.
The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is rated at 250 W. With a mid-range processor, plan on a 650 W power supply (550 W is the minimum). That is a moderate load. Any case with a front intake fan will keep it cool.
Where it sits
Released in 2015, the GeForce GTX 980 Ti is 11 years old, and the newest games already treat it as an entry level card. The next card up in our list is the GeForce RTX 3050, about 6% faster (launch price $249). The next card down is the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti, about 14% slower.
It launched at $649, which works out to 2.5 points of performance per $100. Prices on the used and discount market are different, so treat this as a way to compare cards, not as today's price.
Which processor to pair it with, and who it suits
To keep a processor from holding it back at 1080p, you want something like a Ryzen 3 1200, and the same chip is enough at 1440p. Slower processors will still work, but you give up some of the card's speed.
The GeForce GTX 980 Ti is an entry level card. It is fine for 1080p at Medium, for older games at High and for esports titles at any setting. If you play new releases, look one tier up.