GeForce 9800 GX2 vs GeForce GTX 280M SLI

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 GX2 vs GeForce GTX 280M SLI 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 GX2 vs GeForce GTX 280M SLI: 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 GX2

2008

Why buy it

✅3.2% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 1.0 vs 0 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 2 MB vs 512 MB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2008 hardware with 2 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

GeForce GTX 280M SLI

2009

Why buy it

✅24900% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (512 MB vs 2 MB).
✅GeForce 9800 GX2 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce GTX 280M SLI is the less risky modern option long term.
✅More future proof: G9x (2007−2010) on 55nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce 9800 GX2 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌2009 hardware with 512 MB 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 1.0 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $599 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce 9800 GX2 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 3.2% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce GTX 280M SLI instead at 621 vs 613, 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 GTX 280M SLI is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 512 MB vs 2 MB of VRAM, a 55nm process instead of 65nm, and a newer 2009 generation instead of 2008. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce 9800 GX2 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p, GeForce 9800 GX2 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce GTX 280M SLI has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce 9800 GX2 vs GeForce GTX 280M SLI Technical Specifications

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

GeForce 9800 GX2

The GeForce 9800 GX2 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: 613 points.

GeForce GTX 280M SLI

The GeForce GTX 280M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 2 2009. It features the G9x architecture. The core clock speed is 585 MHz. It has 256 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 621 points.

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Graphics Performance

The GeForce 9800 GX2 scores 613 and the GeForce GTX 280M SLI reaches 621 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 9800 GX2 is built on G9x while the GeForce GTX 280M SLI uses G9x, both on 65 nm vs 55 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 9800 GX2) vs 256 (GeForce GTX 280M SLI).

Feature	GeForce 9800 GX2	GeForce GTX 280M SLI
G3D Mark Score	613	621+1%
Architecture	G9x	G9x
Process Node	65 nm	55 nm
Shading Units	224	256+14%

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce 9800 GX2	GeForce GTX 280M SLI
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 GX2 has 2 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 280M SLI carries 512 MB. GeForce GTX 280M SLI gives you 24900% 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 GX2 and 64-bit on the GeForce GTX 280M SLI.

Feature	GeForce 9800 GX2	GeForce GTX 280M SLI
VRAM Capacity	0.002 GB	0.5 GB+24900%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	64-bit	64-bit

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Display & API Support

DirectX support: 10.0 (GeForce 9800 GX2) vs 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280M SLI). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce 9800 GX2	GeForce GTX 280M SLI
DirectX	10.0	11.1 (10_0)+11%
OpenGL	3.3	3.3
Max Displays	3+50%	2

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Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: No (GeForce 9800 GX2) vs PureVideo HD VP2 (GeForce GTX 280M SLI). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP2 vs PureVideo HD VP2. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264 (GeForce 9800 GX2) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280M SLI).

Feature	GeForce 9800 GX2	GeForce GTX 280M SLI
Encoder	No	PureVideo HD VP2
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP2	PureVideo HD VP2
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 9800 GX2 draws 150W versus the GeForce GTX 280M SLI's 150W — a 0% difference. The GeForce GTX 280M SLI is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 9800 GX2) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 280M SLI). Power connectors: Legacy vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 105°C vs 95°C.

Feature	GeForce 9800 GX2	GeForce GTX 280M SLI
TDP	150W	150W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	PCIe-powered
Length	267mm	—
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	105°C	95°C-10%
Perf/Watt	4.1	4.1

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Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce GTX 280M SLI (2009 vs 2008).

Feature	GeForce 9800 GX2	GeForce GTX 280M SLI
MSRP	$599	—
Codename	NB9E-GTX	N10E-GTX
Release	July 15 2008	March 2 2009
Ranking	#825	#793

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