GeForce GTX 280 vs Radeon HD 4870 X2
GeForce GTX 280
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Radeon HD 4870 X2
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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 Radeon HD 4870 X2 is on rank 302, so the Radeon HD 4870 X2 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 Radeon HD 4870 X2
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon HD 4870 X2 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.9% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 280.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon HD 4870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.9%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.9%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / TeraScale (2005−2013)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon HD 4870 X2 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon HD 4870 X2 holds the technical lead. Priced at $550 (vs $649), it costs 15% less, resulting in a 20.2% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon HD 4870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+20.2%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($649) | ✅More affordable ($550) |
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 Radeon HD 4870 X2
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.
Radeon HD 4870 X2
The Radeon HD 4870 X2 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in August 12 2008. It features the TeraScale architecture. The core clock speed is 700 MHz. It has 800 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 286W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,309 points. Launch price was $550.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 280 scores 1,285 and the Radeon HD 4870 X2 reaches 1,309 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 280 is built on Tesla 2.0 while the Radeon HD 4870 X2 uses TeraScale, both on 65 nm vs 55 nm. Shader units: 240 (GeForce GTX 280) vs 800 (Radeon HD 4870 X2). Raw compute: 0.6221 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 280) vs 1.12 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon HD 4870 X2).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon HD 4870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 1,285 | 1,309+2% |
| Architecture | Tesla 2.0 | TeraScale |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 55 nm |
| Shading Units | 240 | 800 ×2+233% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.6221 TFLOPS | 1.12 TFLOPS ×2+80% |
| ROPs | 32+100% | 16 ×2 |
| TMUs | 80+100% | 40 ×2 |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon HD 4870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 1 GB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon HD 4870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280) vs 10.1 (Radeon HD 4870 X2). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon HD 4870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.1 (10_0)+10% | 10.1 |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP2) vs UVD 2. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4,DivX (Radeon HD 4870 X2).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon HD 4870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | — |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD (VP2) | UVD 2 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4,DivX |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 280 draws 236W versus the Radeon HD 4870 X2's 286W — a 19.2% difference. The GeForce GTX 280 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce GTX 280) vs 650W (Radeon HD 4870 X2). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin vs 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85 vs 90°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon HD 4870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 236W-17% | 286W |
| Recommended PSU | 550W-15% | 650W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin |
| Length | 267mm | 267mm |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85-6% | 90°C |
| Perf/Watt | 5.4+17% | 4.6 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 280 launched at $649 MSRP and currently averages $649, while the Radeon HD 4870 X2 launched at $550 and now averages $550. The Radeon HD 4870 X2 costs 15.3% less ($99 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 2.0 (GeForce GTX 280) vs 2.4 (Radeon HD 4870 X2) — the Radeon HD 4870 X2 offers 20% better value.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon HD 4870 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $649 | $550-15% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $649 | $550-15% |
| Performance per Dollar | 2.0 | 2.4+20% |
| Codename | GT200 | R700 |
| Release | June 16 2008 | August 12 2008 |
| Ranking | #802 | #796 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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