GeForce GTX 280 vs GeForce GTX 560M
GeForce GTX 280
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GeForce GTX 560M
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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 GTX 280 is positioned at rank 314 and the GeForce GTX 560M is on rank 165, so the GeForce GTX 560M 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 GTX 560M
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 280 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.3% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 560M offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 280 | GeForce GTX 560M |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.3%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.3%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+200%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | — |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce GTX 280 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 GTX 280 and GeForce GTX 560M
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 GTX 560M
The GeForce GTX 560M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 30 2011. It features the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 775 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,281 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 280 scores 1,285 and the GeForce GTX 560M reaches 1,281 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 280 is built on Tesla 2.0 while the GeForce GTX 560M uses Fermi 2.0, both on 65 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 240 (GeForce GTX 280) vs 192 (GeForce GTX 560M). Raw compute: 0.6221 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 280) vs 0.5952 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 560M).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | GeForce GTX 560M |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 1,285 | 1,281 |
| Architecture | Tesla 2.0 | Fermi 2.0 |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 40 nm |
| Shading Units | 240+25% | 192 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.6221 TFLOPS+5% | 0.5952 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 32+33% | 24 |
| TMUs | 80+150% | 32 |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 384 KB+50% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | GeForce GTX 560M |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 280 comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 560M has 3 GB. The GeForce GTX 560M offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 256 KB (GeForce GTX 280) vs 384 KB (GeForce GTX 560M) — the GeForce GTX 560M has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | GeForce GTX 560M |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB | 3 GB+200% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 384 KB+50% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 560M). Vulkan: N/A vs 1.2. OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.0. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | GeForce GTX 560M |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.1 (10_0) | 12 (11_0)+8% |
| Vulkan | N/A | 1.2 |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.0+21% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (GeForce GTX 280) vs PureVideo HD VP4 (GeForce GTX 560M). Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP2) vs PureVideo HD VP4. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GTX 560M).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | GeForce GTX 560M |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | PureVideo HD VP4 |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD (VP2) | PureVideo HD VP4 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 280 draws 236W versus the GeForce GTX 560M's 75W — a 103.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 560M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce GTX 280) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 560M). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin vs 1x 6-pin. Typical load temperature: 85 vs 85°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | GeForce GTX 560M |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 236W | 75W-68% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 350W-36% |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | 267mm | — |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 85 | 85°C |
| Perf/Watt | 5.4 | 17.1+217% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 560M is the newer GPU (2011 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | GeForce GTX 560M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $649 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $649 | — |
| Codename | GT200 | GF116 |
| Release | June 16 2008 | May 30 2011 |
| Ranking | #802 | #804 |
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