GeForce GTX 280 vs Radeon RX 7600
GeForce GTX 280
Popular choices:
Radeon RX 7600
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. 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 Radeon RX 7600
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Radeon RX 7600 is significantly newer (2023 vs 2008). The Radeon RX 7600 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 RX 7600 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1190.4% higher G3D Mark score and 700% more VRAM (8 GB vs 1 GB). 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 RX 7600 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1190.4%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1190.4%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) | 🏆Elite Architecture (RDNA 3.0 (2022−2026) / 6nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ FSR 3 / AFMF Support |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon RX 7600 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $250 versus $649 for the GeForce GTX 280, it costs 61% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 3249.7% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon RX 7600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+3249.7%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($649) | ✅More affordable ($250) |
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 RX 7600
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 RX 7600
The Radeon RX 7600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 24 2023. It features the RDNA 3.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1720 MHz to 2655 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 165W. Manufactured using 6 nm process technology. It features 32 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,581 points. Launch price was $269.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 280 scores 1,285 versus the Radeon RX 7600's 16,581 — the Radeon RX 7600 leads by 1190.4%. The GeForce GTX 280 is built on Tesla 2.0 while the Radeon RX 7600 uses RDNA 3.0, both on 65 nm vs 6 nm. Shader units: 240 (GeForce GTX 280) vs 2,048 (Radeon RX 7600). Raw compute: 0.6221 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 280) vs 21.75 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 7600).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon RX 7600 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 1,285 | 16,581+1190% |
| Architecture | Tesla 2.0 | RDNA 3.0 |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 6 nm |
| Shading Units | 240 | 2048+753% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.6221 TFLOPS | 21.75 TFLOPS+3396% |
| ROPs | 32 | 64+100% |
| TMUs | 80 | 128+60% |
| L2 Cache | 0.25 MB | 2 MB+700% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the Radeon RX 7600 is support for FSR 3 / AFMF. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce GTX 280 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon RX 7600 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | FSR 3 (Native) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Driver) |
| 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 RX 7600 has 8 GB. The Radeon RX 7600 offers 700% 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 2 MB (Radeon RX 7600) — the Radeon RX 7600 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon RX 7600 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB | 8 GB+700% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | 288 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 0.25 MB | 2 MB+700% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280) vs 12.2 (Radeon RX 7600). Vulkan: N/A vs 1.3. OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon RX 7600 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.1 (10_0) | 12.2+10% |
| Vulkan | N/A | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.6+39% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 4+100% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (GeForce GTX 280) vs VCN 4.0 (Radeon RX 7600). Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP2) vs VCN 4.0. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Radeon RX 7600).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon RX 7600 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | VCN 4.0 |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD (VP2) | VCN 4.0 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 280 draws 236W versus the Radeon RX 7600's 165W — a 35.4% difference. The Radeon RX 7600 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce GTX 280) vs 550W (Radeon RX 7600). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 240mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85 vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon RX 7600 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 236W | 165W-30% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 550W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 267mm | 240mm |
| Height | 111mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85 | 75°C-12% |
| Perf/Watt | 5.4 | 100.5+1761% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 280 launched at $649 MSRP and currently averages $649, while the Radeon RX 7600 launched at $269 and now averages $250. The Radeon RX 7600 costs 61.5% less ($399 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 2.0 (GeForce GTX 280) vs 66.3 (Radeon RX 7600) — the Radeon RX 7600 offers 3215% better value. The Radeon RX 7600 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon RX 7600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $649 | $269-59% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $649 | $250-61% |
| Performance per Dollar | 2.0 | 66.3+3215% |
| Codename | GT200 | Navi 33 |
| Release | June 16 2008 | May 24 2023 |
| Ranking | #802 | #118 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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