FirePro 3D V9800 vs GRID K280Q

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 K280Q FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

FirePro 3D V9800 vs GRID K280Q: 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.
❌
75% HIGHER MSRP
$3,499 MSRPvs$2,000 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.8 vs 1.4 G3D/$ ($3,499 MSRP vs $2,000 MSRP).
❌26600% longer card at 267mm vs 1mm.

GRID K280Q

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,499 less on MSRP ($2,000 MSRP vs $3,499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 76.7% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 1.4 vs 0.8 G3D/$ ($2,000 MSRP vs $3,499 MSRP).
✅Measures 1mm instead of 267mm, a 266mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

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 K280Q is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 1% in PassMark G3D (2,840 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 K280Q makes the most sense to buy today. It is $1,499 cheaper on MSRP at $2,000 vs $3,499, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 76.7% (1.4 vs 0.8), so the value case lines up with the gaming result. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GRID K280Q 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 K280Q Technical Specifications

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

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.

GRID K280Q

The GRID K280Q 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: 2,840 points. Launch price was $1,875.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The FirePro 3D V9800 scores 2,812 and the GRID K280Q reaches 2,840 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The FirePro 3D V9800 is built on TeraScale 3 while the GRID K280Q uses Kepler, both on 40 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (FirePro 3D V9800) vs 1,536 (GRID K280Q). Raw compute: 1.856 TFLOPS (FirePro 3D V9800) vs 2.289 TFLOPS (GRID K280Q).

Feature	FirePro 3D V9800	GRID K280Q
G3D Mark Score	2,812	2,840
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)

Feature	FirePro 3D V9800	GRID K280Q
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 K280Q 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 K280Q.

Feature	FirePro 3D V9800	GRID K280Q
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+100%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	64-bit	64-bit
L2 Cache	512 KB	512 KB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11.2 (FirePro 3D V9800) vs 11_0 (GRID K280Q). Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 0.

Feature	FirePro 3D V9800	GRID K280Q
DirectX	11.2+2%	11_0
Max Displays	6	0

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The FirePro 3D V9800 draws 150W versus the GRID K280Q's 225W — a 40% difference. The FirePro 3D V9800 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (FirePro 3D V9800) vs 350W (GRID K280Q). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 267mm vs 1mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

Feature	FirePro 3D V9800	GRID K280Q
TDP	150W-33%	225W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	PCIe-powered
Length	267mm	1mm
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	90	—
Perf/Watt	18.7+48%	12.6

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the FirePro 3D V9800 came in at $3499, while the GRID K280Q launched at $2000. On MSRP, GRID K280Q was 42.8% cheaper ($1499 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.8 (FirePro 3D V9800) vs 1.4 (GRID K280Q) — the GRID K280Q offers 75% better value. The newer card here is GRID K280Q (2013 vs 2011).

Feature	FirePro 3D V9800	GRID K280Q
MSRP	$3499	$2000-43%
Performance per Dollar	0.8	1.4+75%
Codename	Cayman	GK104
Release	May 24 2011	June 28 2013
Ranking	#656	#595

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