NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M: Review of a Legend in Mobile Gaming in 2025
Relevance, Performance, and Practical Tips for Users
Introduction
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M is one of the most significant mobile graphics cards in the history of gaming laptops. Released in 2014, it long remained the benchmark for performance. But how does it fare against modern technologies in 2025? Let's explore who might still find this GPU useful today and what tasks it can handle.
1. Architecture and Key Features
Maxwell Architecture: A Foundation of Reliability
The GTX 980M is built on the Maxwell architecture (GM204) using a 28nm manufacturing process. This enabled a balance between performance and energy efficiency for its time. However, by 2025, 28nm is an outdated standard (modern cards use 5-7nm), limiting upgrade potential.
Lack of RTX and DLSS
The GTX 980M does not support ray tracing (RTX) or DLSS — key NVIDIA technologies that emerged in the Turing (2018) and Ampere (2020) series. Utilizing these features requires dedicated hardware blocks (RT and Tensor Cores), which Maxwell lacks. Additionally, AMD’s FidelityFX is also unavailable, as it is a competitor's technology.
Pros of the Architecture
- Optimized for DirectX 12 (support level Feature Level 11_2).
- GPU Boost 2.0 and Optimus technologies for automatic overclocking and power savings.
2. Memory: Speed and Capacity
GDDR5: A Genre Classic
The graphics card is equipped with 8GB of GDDR5 memory with a 256-bit bus. The bandwidth is 160 GB/s (5 GHz clock speed). In comparison, modern mobile GPUs utilize GDDR6 (up to 600 GB/s) or HBM2 (up to 1 TB/s), which are significantly higher.
Impact on Performance
The 8GB capacity is sufficient for gaming at moderate settings in 1080p resolution, but at 1440p and 4K, performance dips may occur due to limited bandwidth. In professional tasks (e.g., 3D scene rendering), memory speed limitations can become a bottleneck.
3. Gaming Performance
1080p: Comfortable Gaming
In games from the 2020s, the GTX 980M exhibits modest results:
- Cyberpunk 2077: 25-30 FPS on low settings.
- Apex Legends: 45-55 FPS on medium.
- Fortnite: 60 FPS on medium (without enabling Nanite or Lumen).
1440p and 4K: Not Recommended
Due to memory and computational power limitations, resolutions above 1080p become problematic. For example, Hogwarts Legacy runs at just 15-20 FPS at 1440p even at minimum settings.
Ray Tracing: Not Available
The absence of RT cores makes the use of RTX effects impossible. Alternatives exist—such as software methods (e.g., Screen Space Reflections)—but they are less realistic.
4. Professional Tasks
CUDA Cores: A Foundation for Work
With 1,536 CUDA cores, the GTX 980M can handle basic tasks:
- Video Editing: Rendering in Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve on 1080p footage proceeds without lag, but a 4K timeline may stutter.
- 3D Modeling: Blender and Autodesk Maya run, but complex scenes require optimization.
- Scientific Computation: CUDA and OpenCL support allows the card to be used in machine learning (only for educational projects).
Limitations
No support for modern APIs like Vulkan Ray Tracing or DirectStorage. For professional tasks, it’s better to choose cards with RTX 4060/70 or AMD Radeon RX 7600M and higher.
5. Power Consumption and Heat Dissipation
TDP 100W: Cooling Requirements
Maximum thermal output is 100W. In modern compact laptops, this may cause overheating. Recommendations:
- Regular cleaning of the cooling system.
- Use of cooling pads.
- Replace thermal paste every 1-2 years.
Chassis
An ideal option would be bulky gaming laptops with enhanced ventilation (e.g., older models from the MSI GT Series or Alienware 17). Ultrabooks are not suitable due to inadequate cooling.
6. Comparison with Competitors
AMD Radeon R9 M395X (2015)
- Comparable performance, but higher power consumption (TDP 125W).
- Better performance with Vulkan games, worse with DX12.
NVIDIA RTX 2050 Mobile (2022)
- 30-40% faster in games.
- Support for DLSS and RTX.
- TDP only 45W.
Conclusion
The GTX 980M falls behind modern budget models but may be interesting as a budget solution in the secondary market.
7. Practical Tips
Power Supply
Recommended power supply for the laptop is at least 180W. Avoid cheap alternatives for stable operation.
Compatibility
- Interface: PCIe 3.0 x16 (compatible with PCIe 4.0/5.0, but without speed increase).
- Drivers: Official support from NVIDIA ended in 2023. Use the latest available versions (for example, 527.56).
Optimization
- In games, lower shadow and texture settings.
- Disable anti-aliasing through NVIDIA Control Panel drivers.
8. Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Reliability and time-tested architecture.
- Sufficient performance for older and less demanding games.
- CUDA support for basic professional tasks.
Disadvantages
- No ray tracing or DLSS.
- High power consumption for a mobile GPU.
- Outdated drivers.
9. Final Conclusion: Who is the GTX 980M Suitable For?
This graphics card is suitable for:
1. Budget gamers who are willing to play at medium settings in Full HD.
2. Owners of old laptops who wish to extend their lifespan.
3. Students learning the basics of 3D modeling or editing.
Why You Shouldn't Buy It?
If you need modern gaming in 4K, ray tracing, or work with AI tools—look for GPUs from 2023-2025.
Conclusion
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M is a legend that can still be useful in 2025, but only in narrow scenarios. As a temporary solution or a nod to nostalgia—yes; as a foundation for a future gaming PC—no. Choose wisely!