GeForce GTX 280 vs Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)
GeForce GTX 280
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Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)
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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 R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) is on rank 164, so the Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) 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 R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) is significantly newer (2014 vs 2008). The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) 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 Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.2% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 280 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.2%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN (2012−2015)) |
| 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
The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) holds the technical lead. Priced at $35 (vs $649), it costs 95% less, resulting in a 1775.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+1775.9%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($649) | ✅More affordable ($35) |
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 R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)
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 R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)
The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 14 2014. It features the GCN architecture. The core clock speed is 720 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,300 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 280 scores 1,285 and the Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) reaches 1,300 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 Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) uses GCN, both on 65 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 240 (GeForce GTX 280) vs 512 (Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 1,285 | 1,300+1% |
| Architecture | Tesla 2.0 | GCN |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 240 | 512+113% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
The GeForce GTX 280 comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) has 512 MB. The GeForce GTX 280 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB+100% | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280) vs 12 (Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)). Vulkan: N/A vs 1.1. OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 3.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.1 (10_0) | 12+8% |
| Vulkan | N/A | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.5+36% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 3+50% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (GeForce GTX 280) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)). Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP2) vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | VCE 2.0 |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD (VP2) | UVD 4.2 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 280 draws 236W versus the Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)'s 30W — a 154.9% difference. The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce GTX 280) vs 350W (Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin vs None. Typical load temperature: 85 vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 236W | 30W-87% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 350W-36% |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin | None |
| Length | 267mm | — |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 85 | 80°C-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 5.4 | 43.3+702% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 280 launched at $649 MSRP and currently averages $649, while the Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) launched at $173 and now averages $35. The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) costs 94.6% less ($614 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 2.0 (GeForce GTX 280) vs 37.1 (Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)) — the Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) offers 1755% better value. The Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop) |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $649 | $173-73% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $649 | $35-95% |
| Performance per Dollar | 2.0 | 37.1+1755% |
| Codename | GT200 | Kaveri Spectre |
| Release | June 16 2008 | January 14 2014 |
| Ranking | #802 | #830 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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