The graphics card you select is one of the most important factors, whether creating a PC from zero or updating your gaming setup.
The wide variety of GPUs available on the market makes picking on a certain model difficult. Consider the PC form factor and display ports on your monitor when purchasing a new graphics card.
NVIDIA’s GeForce models are among the most widely used GPUs on the market. These powerful graphics cards have features that provide stunning visuals.
This article compares the fundamental differences and similarities between the GeForce GTX 770 SLI and GTX 980 GPUs.
In short, if focusing on game performance and energy efficiency, GTX 980 is more powerful than GTX 770. The GTX 980 is far more energy-efficient than the GTX 770 and delivers great-intensity gaming performance.
In contrast, the GTX 770 can have trouble handling the most difficult games.
So let’s get started!
What to Think About Before Purchasing a Graphics Card
The most important components of gaming PCs are GPUs. Despite the possibility that your PC has a built-in GPU, you might need to upgrade it for demanding applications. Important things to take into account before buying a new graphics card include
- Graphics card memory
- Size and cooling capabilities
- Compatibility of motherboard
- Computer CPU
- Power
- Budget
| Specifications | GeForce GTX 770 | GeForce GTX 980 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Length | 10.5 inches | 10.5 inches |
| Display connectors | 1x Dual-Link DVI, 1x Dual-Link DVI-D, 1x HDMI, and 1x DisplayPort | 3x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI 2.0, and 1x Dual-Link DVI |
| Height | 4.376 inches | 4.376 inches |
| GPU architecture | Kelper | Maxwell |
| Boost clock speeds | 1085 MHz | 1216 MHz |
| Memory bus width | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 224.3 Gbps | 224 Gbps |
| Memory clock speed | 7012 MHz | 7 Gbps |
| Multi-monitor support | Up to 4 displays | Up to 4 displays |
| CUDA cores | 1536 | 2048 |
| Floating-point performance | 3,333 flops | 4,981 flops |
| VR-ready | Yes | Yes |
| Texture fill rate | 134 billion/sec | 144 billion/sec |
| Max VGA resolution | 2048×1536 | 2048×1536 |
| Bus support | PCI Express 3.0 | PCI Express 3.0 |
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 SLI
The GeForce GTX 770 SLI graphics card combines fast speeds and high-quality visuals for seamless gameplay. It came with 1536 CUDA cores and was developed using NVIDIA’s Kepler architecture. This GPU can run at peak clock rates of up to 1085 MHz and has a texture fill rate of 134 billion/sec. It offers a 256-bit memory interface width and either 2 GB or 4 GDDR5 VRAM.
The GTX 770 SLI was built with a memory speed rating of 7.0 Gbps and a memory bandwidth of 224.4 Gbps. It is compatible with many technologies that improve performance, including:
- FXAA
- CUDA
- SLI
- NVIDIA Surround
- Adaptive VSync
- SHEILD
- Microsoft DirectX 11
- NVIDIA G-SYNC
- TXAA
- 3D Vision
- GPU Boost 2.0
- PhysX
The GTX 770 is produced in a dual-slot form factor and has dimensions of 4.376 inches by 10.5 inches. You can utilize its PCI Express 3.0 interface to connect it to your monitor.
GTX 770 SLI Display Support
The maximum digital resolution of the GeForce GTX 770 is 40962160, and the highest VGA resolution is 20481536. It can run modern PC games at 1080p and 4K resolutions. The display ports such as Dual-Link DVI, Dual-Link DVI-D, HDMI, and DisplayPort are all supported by GTX 770 graphic cards.
Can the GTX 770 SLI be used with multiple monitor setups? GTX 770 SLI can project media onto four monitors at once. High-definition audio-visual data are protected from unlawful copying as they pass from your PC to the display using the HDCP protocol.
Power Specifications
The GTX 770 graphics card has a 230 W power rating and an 8-pin and 6-pin connector. NVIDIA advises a low system power of 600 W. Keep in mind that this GPU works at temperatures no higher than 98° C for optimal efficiency. It has a built-in cooling system that assists in dissipating extra heat, enabling use in demanding applications on 3D modeling monitors.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980
Due to its Maxwell GPU design, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 is a reliable graphics card with strong efficiency. The most recent 1080p and 1440p video games are supported at 4K for optimal viewing. You can use GTX 980 for VR and widescreen gaming.
The GTX 980 has a quick processor with 4 GB of GDDR5 VRAM memory that operates at 224GB/sec. Its integrated cooling fan aids in preserving optimum working temperatures. This graphics card occupies two expansion slots on the motherboard and features a PCI-Express interface.
The GTX 980 is a top-tier graphics card with a stylish design and an aluminum shroud. It also has a backlit logo and a solid metal backplate for extra elegance.
GTX 980 Display Support
This GPU has five display output connectors and can accommodate up to four screens when used in multi-monitor configurations. It includes three DisplayPort connections, an HDMI 2.0 interface, and a Dual-Link DVI interface. This GPU is suited for virtual reality and provides accurate graphics.
The GTX 980, like the GTX 770 SLI, is compatible with various technologies that improve performance. These technologies include
- Microsoft DirectX 12 (DX12)
- NVIDIA SLI
- NVIDIA GameStream
- CUDA
- NVIDIA GameWorks
- GPU Boost
- GeForce ShadowPlay
- NVIDIA BatteryBoost 2.0
- NVIDIA G-SYNC
- NVIDIA Optimus
Power Specifications
To use the GTX 980 graphics card, you will need a power supply unit with a capacity of 500 watts. The structure of this energy-saving device has a rating of 165 W for its power usage. Because this card has two power connectors with a 6-pin layout, you should check to see if the power supply you plan to use is compatible with it before going out and purchasing a new one.
GTX 770 SLI vs. GTX 980
The GTX 980 and the GTX 770 have numerous characteristics that set them apart. Both cards use a 16-pin PCI Express 3.0 interface when connecting to computer motherboards.
Final Verdict
The GeForce GTX 980 offers significantly increased performance compared to the GeForce GTX 770. It provides better performance for gaming and is compatible with more recent technologies. Compared to the GeForce GTX 770, the GeForce GTX 980 from NVIDIA is more energy-efficient and draws less power from your power supply unit (PSU).
