GeForce 930MX vs GeForce GTX 280
GeForce 930MX
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 930MX is positioned at rank 289 and the GeForce GTX 280 is on rank 314, so the GeForce 930MX offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 930MX
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 280
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce 930MX is significantly newer (2016 vs 2008). The GeForce 930MX 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 0.5% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce 930MX offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce 930MX | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.5%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.5%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce 930MX offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce 930MX holds the technical lead. Priced at $25 (vs $649), it costs 96% less, resulting in a 2481.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce 930MX | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+2481.9%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($25) | ⚠️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 930MX and GeForce GTX 280
GeForce 930MX
The GeForce 930MX is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 1 2016. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 952 MHz to 1020 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 17W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,278 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 930MX scores 1,278 and the GeForce GTX 280 reaches 1,285 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 930MX is built on Maxwell while the GeForce GTX 280 uses Tesla 2.0, both on 28 nm vs 65 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 930MX) vs 240 (GeForce GTX 280). Raw compute: 0.7834 TFLOPS (GeForce 930MX) vs 0.6221 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 280).
| Feature | GeForce 930MX | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 1,278 | 1,285 |
| Architecture | Maxwell | Tesla 2.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 65 nm |
| Shading Units | 384+60% | 240 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.7834 TFLOPS+26% | 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 930MX | 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 930MX comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 280 has 1 GB. The GeForce 930MX offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce 930MX) vs 0.25 MB (GeForce GTX 280) — the GeForce 930MX has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce 930MX | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB+100% | 1 GB |
| 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: 12 (11_0) (GeForce 930MX) vs 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280). Vulkan: 1.1 vs N/A. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 0 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce 930MX | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0)+8% | 11.1 (10_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.1 | N/A |
| OpenGL | 4.6+39% | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 0 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (GeForce 930MX) vs None (GeForce GTX 280). Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP6) vs PureVideo HD (VP2). Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce 930MX) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280).
| Feature | GeForce 930MX | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | None |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD (VP6) | PureVideo HD (VP2) |
| Codecs | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 930MX draws 17W versus the GeForce GTX 280's 236W — a 173.1% difference. The GeForce 930MX is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 930MX) vs 550W (GeForce GTX 280). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 267mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80 vs 85.
| Feature | GeForce 930MX | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 17W-93% | 236W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-36% | 550W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin |
| Length | 0mm | 267mm |
| Height | 0mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80-6% | 85 |
| Perf/Watt | 75.2+1293% | 5.4 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 930MX launched at $80 MSRP and currently averages $25, while the GeForce GTX 280 launched at $649 and now averages $649. The GeForce 930MX costs 96.1% less ($624 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 51.1 (GeForce 930MX) vs 2.0 (GeForce GTX 280) — the GeForce 930MX offers 2455% better value. The GeForce 930MX is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce 930MX | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $80-88% | $649 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $25-96% | $649 |
| Performance per Dollar | 51.1+2455% | 2.0 |
| Codename | GM108 | GT200 |
| Release | March 1 2016 | June 16 2008 |
| Ranking | #805 | #802 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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