GeForce GTX 280M SLI vs FirePro V3900

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 280M SLI is positioned at rank 440 and the FirePro V3900 is on rank 206, so the FirePro V3900 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 280M SLI

#430

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

1748%

#432

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

1585%

#433

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

1581%

#437

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

1437%

#438

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

1428%

#440

GeForce GTX 280M SLI

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#441

Radeon HD 8550G + 8600M Dual

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

100%

#443

Radeon R9 M360

MSRP: $300|Avg: $81

98%

#444

Radeon HD 8550G + 7600M Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

97%

#445

Radeon R9 M365X

MSRP: $250|Avg: $50

95%

#446

GeForce 7800 GS

MSRP: $30|Avg: $30

95%

#447

Radeon HD 8650G + 7670M Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

95%

#448

Radeon R9 M265X

MSRP: $200|Avg: $30

94%

#449

Mobility Radeon HD 5165

MSRP: $49|Avg: $15

93%

#450

Radeon R5 M435

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

92%

#451

Radeon E8860

MSRP: $300|Avg: $50

90%

#452

Radeon R7 M380

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

90%

#453

GeForce 820A

MSRP: $100|Avg: $30

90%

#454

Radeon HD 7650A

MSRP: $100|Avg: $49

90%

#455

Radeon HD 8650G + 8600/8700M Dual

MSRP: $150|Avg: $40

89%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar FirePro V3900

#90

Quadro P5000

MSRP: $2499|Avg: $400

96%

#91

RTX PRO 6000

MSRP: $8565|Avg: $8565

95%

#92

RTX A6000

MSRP: $4649|Avg: $3500

93%

#93

Quadro RTX A6000

MSRP: $4649|Avg: $3500

92%

#191

Tesla K20m

MSRP: $3199|Avg: $55

2787%

#206

FirePro V3900

MSRP: $119|Avg: $30

100%

#207

Radeon R7 PRO A10-9700B

MSRP: $119|Avg: $89

100%

#208

Tesla K8

MSRP: $1000|Avg: $100

96%

#210

GRID K240Q

MSRP: $500|Avg: $40

96%

#211

FirePro M4150

MSRP: $200|Avg: $50

95%

#212

FirePro V4900

MSRP: $200|Avg: $47

95%

#213

GRID K160Q

MSRP: $125|Avg: $30

95%

#215

Quadro

MSRP: $1000|Avg: $50

94%

#216

FirePro W5000

MSRP: $599|Avg: $40

93%

#219

FirePro W7000 Adapter

MSRP: $899|Avg: $15

92%

#220

Quadro K420

MSRP: $150|Avg: $20

91%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The FirePro V3900 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.6% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (1 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 280M SLI.

Insight	GeForce GTX 280M SLI	FirePro V3900
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.6%)	✅Leading raw performance (+1.6%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2009 / G9x (2007−2010))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / TeraScale 3 (2010−2013))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+100%)
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	—	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

While current pricing data is unavailable, the FirePro V3900 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.

GeForce GTX 280M SLI Benchmark Check

FirePro V3900 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 280M SLI and FirePro V3900

GeForce GTX 280M SLI

The GeForce GTX 280M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 2 2009. It features the G9x architecture. The core clock speed is 585 MHz. It has 256 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 621 points.

FirePro V3900

The FirePro V3900 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 24 2011. It features the TeraScale 3 architecture. The core clock speed is 725 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 631 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 280M SLI scores 621 and the FirePro V3900 reaches 631 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 280M SLI is built on G9x while the FirePro V3900 uses TeraScale 3, both on 55 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 256 (GeForce GTX 280M SLI) vs 1,280 (FirePro V3900).

Feature	GeForce GTX 280M SLI	FirePro V3900
G3D Mark Score	621	631+2%
Architecture	G9x	TeraScale 3
Process Node	55 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	256	1280+400%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 280M SLI	FirePro V3900
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 280M SLI comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the FirePro V3900 has 1 GB. The FirePro V3900 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 64-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 280M SLI	FirePro V3900
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	1 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	64-bit	64-bit

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280M SLI) vs 11.0 (FirePro V3900). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.4. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce GTX 280M SLI	FirePro V3900
DirectX	11.1 (10_0)	11.0
OpenGL	3.3	4.4+33%
Max Displays	2	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP2 (GeForce GTX 280M SLI) vs None (FirePro V3900). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP2 vs UVD 3.0. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280M SLI) vs MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,MPEG-4,MVC (FirePro V3900).

Feature	GeForce GTX 280M SLI	FirePro V3900
Encoder	PureVideo HD VP2	None
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP2	UVD 3.0
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2	MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,MPEG-4,MVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 280M SLI draws 150W versus the FirePro V3900's 150W — a 0% difference. The FirePro V3900 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 280M SLI) vs 350W (FirePro V3900). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 95°C vs 80.

Feature	GeForce GTX 280M SLI	FirePro V3900
TDP	150W	150W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	PCIe-powered
Length	—	168mm
Height	—	69mm
Slots	0-100%	1
Temp (Load)	95°C	80-16%
Perf/Watt	4.1	4.2+2%