FirePro 3D V9800 vs GRID K260Q

FirePro 3D V9800

2011Core: 725 MHz
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VS

GRID K260Q

2013Core: 745 MHz
Similar parts
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FirePro 3D V9800 vs GRID K260Q Performance Spectrum

About G3D Mark

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

FirePro 3D V9800 vs GRID K260Q: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

FirePro 3D V9800

2011

Why buy it

  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 2 GB).
  • Draws 150W instead of 225W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • 2011 hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 273.4% HIGHER MSRP
    $3,499 MSRPvs$937 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.8 vs 3.1 G3D/$ ($3,499 MSRP vs $937 MSRP).

GRID K260Q

2013

Why buy it

  • Costs $2,562 less on MSRP ($937 MSRP vs $3,499 MSRP).
  • Delivers 291.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 3.1 vs 0.8 G3D/$ ($937 MSRP vs $3,499 MSRP).
  • More future proof: Kepler (2012−2018) on 28nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2013 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 50% higher power demand at 225W vs 150W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GRID K260Q is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 4.9% in PassMark G3D (2,949 vs 2,812), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
FirePro 3D V9800 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 4 GB vs 2 GB of VRAM. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GRID K260Q makes the most sense to buy today. It is $2,562 cheaper on MSRP at $937 vs $3,499, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 291.6% (3.1 vs 0.8), so the value case lines up with the gaming result. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GRID K260Q is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, FirePro 3D V9800 has the stronger long-term case.

FirePro 3D V9800 vs GRID K260Q Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

AMD

FirePro 3D V9800

The FirePro 3D V9800 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 24 2011. It features the TeraScale 3 architecture. The core clock speed is 725 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,812 points.

NVIDIA

GRID K260Q

The GRID K260Q is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 28 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 745 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 225W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,949 points. Launch price was $937.

Graphics Performance

The FirePro 3D V9800 scores 2,812 and the GRID K260Q reaches 2,949 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 4.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The FirePro 3D V9800 is built on TeraScale 3 while the GRID K260Q uses Kepler, both on 40 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (FirePro 3D V9800) vs 1,536 (GRID K260Q). Raw compute: 1.856 TFLOPS (FirePro 3D V9800) vs 2.289 TFLOPS (GRID K260Q).

FeatureFirePro 3D V9800GRID K260Q
G3D Mark Score
2,812
2,949+5%
Architecture
TeraScale 3
Kepler
Process Node
40 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
1280
1536+20%
Compute (TFLOPS)
1.856 TFLOPS
2.289 TFLOPS+23%
ROPs
32
32
TMUs
80
128+60%
L1 Cache
320 KB+150%
128 KB
L2 Cache
512 KB
512 KB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureFirePro 3D V9800GRID K260Q
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The FirePro 3D V9800 has 4 GB of VRAM, while the GRID K260Q carries 2 GB. FirePro 3D V9800 gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the FirePro 3D V9800 and 64-bit on the GRID K260Q.

FeatureFirePro 3D V9800GRID K260Q
VRAM Capacity
4 GB+100%
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
64-bit
64-bit
L2 Cache
512 KB
512 KB
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The FirePro 3D V9800 draws 150W versus the GRID K260Q's 225W — a 40% difference. The FirePro 3D V9800 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (FirePro 3D V9800) vs 350W (GRID K260Q). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureFirePro 3D V9800GRID K260Q
TDP
150W-33%
225W
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
PCIe-powered
Length
267mm
Height
111mm
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
90
Perf/Watt
18.7+43%
13.1
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the FirePro 3D V9800 came in at $3499, while the GRID K260Q launched at $937. On MSRP, GRID K260Q was 73.2% cheaper ($2562 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.8 (FirePro 3D V9800) vs 3.1 (GRID K260Q) — the GRID K260Q offers 287.5% better value. The newer card here is GRID K260Q (2013 vs 2011).

FeatureFirePro 3D V9800GRID K260Q
MSRP
$3499
$937-73%
Performance per Dollar
0.8
3.1+287%
Codename
Cayman
GK104
Release
May 24 2011
June 28 2013
Ranking
#656
#589

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