GeForce GTX 280 vs Iris Graphics 540
GeForce GTX 280
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Iris Graphics 540
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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. The GeForce GTX 280 is positioned at rank #314 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 280
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Iris Graphics 540 is significantly newer (2015 vs 2008). The Iris Graphics 540 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 1.2% higher G3D Mark score and 100+% more VRAM (1 GB vs 0 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Iris Graphics 540.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 280 | Iris Graphics 540 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.2%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Generation 9.0 (2015−2016)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+100+%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| 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 Iris Graphics 540
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.
Iris Graphics 540
The Iris Graphics 540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in September 1 2015. It features the Generation 9.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 300 MHz to 1000 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 15W. Manufactured using 14 nm+ process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,270 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 280 scores 1,285 and the Iris Graphics 540 reaches 1,270 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 280 is built on Tesla 2.0 while the Iris Graphics 540 uses Generation 9.0, both on 65 nm vs 14 nm+. Shader units: 240 (GeForce GTX 280) vs 384 (Iris Graphics 540). Raw compute: 0.6221 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 280) vs 0.768 TFLOPS (Iris Graphics 540).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Iris Graphics 540 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 1,285+1% | 1,270 |
| Architecture | Tesla 2.0 | Generation 9.0 |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 14 nm+ |
| Shading Units | 240 | 384+60% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.6221 TFLOPS | 0.768 TFLOPS+23% |
| ROPs | 32+433% | 6 |
| TMUs | 80+67% | 48 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Iris Graphics 540 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Iris Graphics 540 has 0 MB. The GeForce GTX 280 offers 100+% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs System.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Iris Graphics 540 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB | Shared System RAM |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | Shared |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | System |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | System |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280) vs 12 (FL 12_1) (Iris Graphics 540). Vulkan: N/A vs 1.3. OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 3.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Iris Graphics 540 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.1 (10_0) | 12 (FL 12_1)+8% |
| Vulkan | N/A | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.6+39% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 3+50% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (GeForce GTX 280) vs Quick Sync (Iris Graphics 540). Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP2) vs Quick Sync. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280) vs H.264,HEVC,VP8 (Iris Graphics 540).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Iris Graphics 540 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | Quick Sync |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD (VP2) | Quick Sync |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,HEVC,VP8 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 280 draws 236W versus the Iris Graphics 540's 15W — a 176.1% difference. The Iris Graphics 540 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce GTX 280) vs 1W (Iris Graphics 540). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin vs Integrated.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Iris Graphics 540 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 236W | 15W-94% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 1W-100% |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin | Integrated |
| Length | 267mm | — |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 85 | — |
| Perf/Watt | 5.4 | 84.7+1469% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 280 launched at $649 MSRP and currently averages $649, while the Iris Graphics 540 launched at $0 and now averages $0. The Iris Graphics 540 costs 100+% less ($649 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 2.0 (GeForce GTX 280) vs Infinity (Iris Graphics 540) — the Iris Graphics 540 offers Infinity% better value. The Iris Graphics 540 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Iris Graphics 540 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $649 | $0-100% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $649 | $0-100% |
| Performance per Dollar | 2.0 | Infinity |
| Codename | GT200 | Skylake GT3e |
| Release | June 16 2008 | September 1 2015 |
| Ranking | #802 | #808 |
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