RX 6500 XT
AMD Radeon
RX 6500 XT
RDNA 2.0 · 4 GB GDDR6
AMD Radeon VS NVIDIA GeForce GPU COMPARISON
RX 6500 XT vs GTX 980
Compare RightNow GPU Database specifications and median 3DMark Time Spy Graphics scores. The quick answer below is intentionally separated from game-specific FPS and live pricing.
VS
NVIDIA GeForce
GTX 980
Maxwell 2.0 · 4 GB GDDR5
QUICK ANSWER
RX 6500 XT leads in 3DMark Time Spy
RX 6500 XT has a median Graphics score of 4,940 versus 4,361 for GTX 980, a lead of about 13% in this synthetic workload.
3DMARK TIME SPY
Time Spy Graphics score comparison
Median Graphics scores across submitted 3DMark Time Spy results; higher is better.
RX 6500 XT4,940
Median Time Spy Graphics score · 26,574 resultsView 3DMark result searchGTX 9804,361
Median Time Spy Graphics score · 106,289 resultsView 3DMark result searchTime Spy is a synthetic DirectX 12 workload, not an FPS guarantee. Submitted results can include different board models, drivers, cooling, overclocks, and laptop power limits. Models are desktop GPUs unless explicitly labeled Laptop.
SPECIFICATIONS
RX 6500 XT vs GTX 980 specs
Reference specifications from the RightNow GPU Database, whose upstream records come from TechPowerUp.
| Specification | RX 6500 XT | GTX 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | RDNA 2.0 | Maxwell 2.0 |
| GPU codename | Navi 24 | GM204 |
| Foundry | TSMC | TSMC |
| Process size | 6 nm | 28 nm |
| Shader units | 1,024 | 2,048 |
| Base clock | 2,310 MHz | 1,127 MHz |
| Boost clock | 2,815 MHz | 1,216 MHz |
| Memory | 4 GB GDDR6 | 4 GB GDDR5 |
| Memory bus | 64-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 143.9 GB/s | 224.4 GB/s |
| TMUs | 64 | 128 |
| ROPs | 32 | 64 |
| Tensor cores | Not listed | Not listed |
| Ray tracing cores | 16 | Not listed |
| L2 cache | 1 MB | 2 MB |
| TDP | 107 W | 165 W |
| Recommended system power | 300 W | 450 W |
| PCI Express | PCIe 4.0 x4 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| Power connectors | 1x 6-pin | 2x 6-pin |
| Display outputs | 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4a | 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0, 3x DisplayPort 1.2 |
| DirectX | 12.2 | 12.1 |
| Vulkan | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| FP32 performance | 5.76 TFLOPS | 4.98 TFLOPS |
RX 6500 XT: RightNow GPU Database · upstream record · retrieved Aug 20, 2026
GTX 980: RightNow GPU Database · upstream record · retrieved Aug 20, 2026
HOW TO CHOOSE
Should you choose RX 6500 XT or GTX 980?
A useful choice depends on performance, memory, power, price, and the games or workloads you actually use.
Start with measured performance
RX 6500 XT has a median Graphics score of 4,940 versus 4,361 for GTX 980, a lead of about 13% in this synthetic workload. Treat a result within roughly three percent as effectively close in this synthetic workload.
Check memory and power
RX 6500 XT lists 4 GB GDDR6 and 107 W graphics power; GTX 980 lists 4 GB GDDR5 and 165 W. Board-partner models can use different coolers, limits, and connectors.
Verify the exact game and price
This comparison does not invent FPS or value claims. Check independent testing for your games and resolution, then compare the current prices of the exact cards available to you.