GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ vs GeForce GTX 280M

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.

GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ vs GeForce GTX 280M 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.

GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ vs GeForce GTX 280M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+

2008

Why buy it

✅11.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 2.5 vs 0 G3D/$ ($229 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Draws 150W instead of 236W, a 86W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 512 MB vs 1 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2008 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

GeForce GTX 280M

2008

Why buy it

✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (1 GB vs 512 MB).
✅More future proof: Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013) on 65nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌2008 hardware with 1 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 2.5 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $229 MSRP).
❌57.3% higher power demand at 236W vs 150W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 11.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce GTX 280M instead at 576 vs 571, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond because it comes out ahead on the available hardware-headroom signals for this matchup.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ vs GeForce GTX 280M Technical Specifications

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

GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+

The GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 15 2008. It features the G9x architecture. The core clock speed is 500 MHz. It has 224 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 65 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 571 points.

GeForce GTX 280M

The GeForce GTX 280M 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: 576 points. Launch price was $649.

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Graphics Performance

The GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ scores 571 and the GeForce GTX 280M reaches 576 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ is built on G9x while the GeForce GTX 280M uses Tesla 2.0, both on a 65 nm process. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+) vs 240 (GeForce GTX 280M).

Feature	GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+	GeForce GTX 280M
G3D Mark Score	571	576
Architecture	G9x	Tesla 2.0
Process Node	65 nm	65 nm
Shading Units	224	240+7%

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+	GeForce GTX 280M
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ has 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 280M carries 1 GB. GeForce GTX 280M 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 GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ and 128-bit on the GeForce GTX 280M.

Feature	GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+	GeForce GTX 280M
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	1 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	64-bit	128-bit+100%

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Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+) vs 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280M). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+	GeForce GTX 280M
DirectX	11.1 (10_0)	11.1 (10_0)
OpenGL	3.3	3.3
Max Displays	2	2

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Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: No NVENC (G92) (GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+) vs PureVideo HD VP2 (GeForce GTX 280M). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP2 vs PureVideo HD VP2. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-1,MPEG-2,WMV (GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280M).

Feature	GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+	GeForce GTX 280M
Encoder	No NVENC (G92)	PureVideo HD VP2
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP2	PureVideo HD VP2
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-1,MPEG-2,WMV	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ draws 150W versus the GeForce GTX 280M's 236W — a 44.6% difference. The GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 280M). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs None. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 85°C.

Feature	GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+	GeForce GTX 280M
TDP	150W-36%	236W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	None
Length	267mm	—
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	80°C-6%	85°C
Perf/Watt	3.8+58%	2.4