GeForce GTS 250 vs GeForce GTX 280M
GeForce GTS 250
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GeForce GTX 280M
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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 GTS 250 is positioned at rank 246 and the GeForce GTX 280M is on rank 120, so the GeForce GTX 280M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTS 250
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 280M
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 280M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.2% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTS 250.
| Insight | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.2%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi (2010−2014)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce GTX 280M remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.
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 GTS 250 and GeForce GTX 280M
GeForce GTS 250
The GeForce GTS 250 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 13 2010. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 783 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 106W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 569 points. Launch price was $129.
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.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTS 250 scores 569 and the GeForce GTX 280M reaches 576 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTS 250 is built on Fermi while the GeForce GTX 280M uses Tesla 2.0, both on 40 nm vs 65 nm. Shader units: 192 (GeForce GTS 250) vs 240 (GeForce GTX 280M). Raw compute: 0.6013 TFLOPS (GeForce GTS 250) vs 0.6221 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 280M).
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 569 | 576+1% |
| Architecture | Fermi | Tesla 2.0 |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 65 nm |
| Shading Units | 192 | 240+25% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.6013 TFLOPS | 0.6221 TFLOPS+3% |
| ROPs | 16 | 32+100% |
| TMUs | 32 | 80+150% |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
Both cards feature 1 GB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTS 250) vs 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280M). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.1 (10_0) | 11.1 (10_0) |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP5 (GeForce GTS 250) vs PureVideo HD VP2 (GeForce GTX 280M). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP5 vs PureVideo HD VP2. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTS 250) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280M).
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | PureVideo HD VP5 | PureVideo HD VP2 |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP5 | PureVideo HD VP2 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTS 250 draws 106W versus the GeForce GTX 280M's 236W — a 76% difference. The GeForce GTS 250 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce GTS 250) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 280M). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs None. Typical load temperature: 90°C vs 85°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 106W-55% | 236W |
| Recommended PSU | 450W | 350W-22% |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | None |
| Length | 229mm | — |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 90°C | 85°C-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 5.4+125% | 2.4 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTS 250 is the newer GPU (2010 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $129 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20 | — |
| Codename | GF106 | GT200 |
| Release | September 13 2010 | June 16 2008 |
| Ranking | #791 | #802 |
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