GeForce GTX 280 vs GeForce 930MX
GeForce GTX 280
Popular choices:
GeForce 930MX
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 GTX 280 is positioned at rank 314 and the GeForce 930MX is on rank 289, 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 GTX 280
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 930MX
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 GTX 280 | GeForce 930MX |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.5%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.5%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| 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 GTX 280 | GeForce 930MX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+2481.9%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($649) | ✅More affordable ($25) |
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 GTX 280 and GeForce 930MX
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.
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.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 280 scores 1,285 and the GeForce 930MX reaches 1,278 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 280 is built on Tesla 2.0 while the GeForce 930MX uses Maxwell, both on 65 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 240 (GeForce GTX 280) vs 384 (GeForce 930MX). Raw compute: 0.6221 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 280) vs 0.7834 TFLOPS (GeForce 930MX).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | GeForce 930MX |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 1,285 | 1,278 |
| Architecture | Tesla 2.0 | Maxwell |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 240 | 384+60% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.6221 TFLOPS | 0.7834 TFLOPS+26% |
| ROPs | 32+300% | 8 |
| TMUs | 80+233% | 24 |
| L2 Cache | 0.25 MB | 1 MB+300% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | GeForce 930MX |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 280 comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce 930MX has 2 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: 0.25 MB (GeForce GTX 280) vs 1 MB (GeForce 930MX) — the GeForce 930MX has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | GeForce 930MX |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB | 2 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 0.25 MB | 1 MB+300% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce 930MX). Vulkan: N/A vs 1.1. OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 0.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | GeForce 930MX |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.1 (10_0) | 12 (11_0)+8% |
| Vulkan | N/A | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.6+39% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 0 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (GeForce GTX 280) vs None (GeForce 930MX). Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP2) vs PureVideo HD (VP6). Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce 930MX).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | GeForce 930MX |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | None |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD (VP2) | PureVideo HD (VP6) |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 280 draws 236W versus the GeForce 930MX's 17W — a 173.1% difference. The GeForce 930MX is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce GTX 280) vs 350W (GeForce 930MX). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 267mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 85 vs 80.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | GeForce 930MX |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 236W | 17W-93% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 350W-36% |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 267mm | 0mm |
| Height | 111mm | 0mm |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 85 | 80-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 5.4 | 75.2+1293% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 280 launched at $649 MSRP and currently averages $649, while the GeForce 930MX launched at $80 and now averages $25. The GeForce 930MX costs 96.1% less ($624 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 2.0 (GeForce GTX 280) vs 51.1 (GeForce 930MX) — the GeForce 930MX offers 2455% better value. The GeForce 930MX is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | GeForce 930MX |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $649 | $80-88% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $649 | $25-96% |
| Performance per Dollar | 2.0 | 51.1+2455% |
| Codename | GT200 | GM108 |
| Release | June 16 2008 | March 1 2016 |
| Ranking | #802 | #805 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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