CPU
GPU
GeForce 930A
Popular choices:
GeForce GTX 280
Popular choices:
Performance Spectrum - GPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The GeForce 930A is positioned at rank 397 and the GeForce GTX 280 is on rank 314, so the GeForce GTX 280 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 930A
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 280
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce 930A is significantly newer (2015 vs 2008). The GeForce 930A likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 280 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 280 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3.5% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (1 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce 930A.
| Insight | GeForce 930A | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-3.5%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+3.5%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce 930A offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce 930A holds the technical lead. Priced at $20 (vs $649), it costs 97% less, resulting in a 3033.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce 930A | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+3033.9%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($20) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($649) |
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce 930A and GeForce GTX 280
GeForce 930A
The GeForce 930A is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 928 MHz to 941 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,241 points.
GeForce GTX 280
The GeForce GTX 280 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 16 2008. It features the Tesla 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 602 MHz. It has 240 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 236W. Manufactured using 65 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,285 points. Launch price was $649.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce 930A scores 1,241 and the GeForce GTX 280 reaches 1,285 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 930A is built on Maxwell while the GeForce GTX 280 uses Tesla 2.0, both on 28 nm vs 65 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 930A) vs 240 (GeForce GTX 280). Raw compute: 0.7227 TFLOPS (GeForce 930A) vs 0.6221 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 280).
| Feature | GeForce 930A | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 1,241 | 1,285+4% |
| Architecture | Maxwell | Tesla 2.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 65 nm |
| Shading Units | 384+60% | 240 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.7227 TFLOPS+16% | 0.6221 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 8 | 32+300% |
| TMUs | 24 | 80+233% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+300% | 0.25 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce 930A | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce 930A comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 280 has 1 GB. The GeForce GTX 280 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce 930A) vs 0.25 MB (GeForce GTX 280) — the GeForce 930A has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce 930A | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 1 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+300% | 0.25 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.0 (GeForce 930A) vs 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280). Vulkan: 1.2 vs N/A. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce 930A | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.0 | 11.1 (10_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.2 | N/A |
| OpenGL | 4.6+39% | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 1 | 2+100% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 2 (GeForce 930A) vs None (GeForce GTX 280). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs PureVideo HD (VP2). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 (GeForce 930A) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280).
| Feature | GeForce 930A | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 2 | None |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP6 | PureVideo HD (VP2) |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 930A draws 33W versus the GeForce GTX 280's 236W — a 150.9% difference. The GeForce 930A is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 930A) vs 550W (GeForce GTX 280). Power connectors: Legacy vs 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 267mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 85.
| Feature | GeForce 930A | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 33W-86% | 236W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-36% | 550W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin |
| Length | 0mm | 267mm |
| Height | 0mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C-12% | 85 |
| Perf/Watt | 37.6+596% | 5.4 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 930A launched at $150 MSRP and currently averages $20, while the GeForce GTX 280 launched at $649 and now averages $649. The GeForce 930A costs 96.9% less ($629 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 62.0 (GeForce 930A) vs 2.0 (GeForce GTX 280) — the GeForce 930A offers 3000% better value. The GeForce 930A is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce 930A | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $150-77% | $649 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20-97% | $649 |
| Performance per Dollar | 62.0+3000% | 2.0 |
| Codename | GM108 | GT200 |
| Release | March 13 2015 | June 16 2008 |
| Ranking | #810 | #802 |
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