GeForce GTX 280M SLI vs GRID K160Q

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 280M SLI

2009Core: 585 MHz
Similar parts
·······
VS

GRID K160Q

2013Core: 745 MHz
Similar parts
·······

GeForce GTX 280M SLI vs GRID K160Q Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce GTX 280M SLI vs GRID K160Q: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce GTX 280M SLI

2009

Why buy it

  • Draws 150W instead of 225W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • 2009 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 5.0 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $125 MSRP).

GRID K160Q

2013

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 5.0 vs 0 G3D/$ ($125 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • More future proof: Kepler (2012−2018) on 28nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • 2013 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 50% higher power demand at 225W vs 150W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GRID K160Q is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 1.1% in PassMark G3D (628 vs 621), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce GTX 280M SLI is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond because it comes out ahead on the available hardware-headroom signals for this matchup.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GRID K160Q makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GRID K160Q is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce GTX 280M SLI has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 280M SLI vs GRID K160Q Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

GRID K160Q

The GRID K160Q is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 28 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 745 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 225W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 628 points. Launch price was $937.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 280M SLI scores 621 and the GRID K160Q reaches 628 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 280M SLI is built on G9x while the GRID K160Q uses Kepler, both on 55 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 256 (GeForce GTX 280M SLI) vs 1,536 (GRID K160Q).

FeatureGeForce GTX 280M SLIGRID K160Q
G3D Mark Score
621
628+1%
Architecture
G9x
Kepler
Process Node
55 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
256
1536+500%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 280M SLI gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The GRID K160Q leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce GTX 280M SLIGRID K160Q
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards ship with 512 MB of GDDR5. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GeForce GTX 280M SLI and 64-bit on the GRID K160Q.

FeatureGeForce GTX 280M SLIGRID K160Q
VRAM Capacity
0.5 GB
0.5 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
64-bit
64-bit
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 280M SLI draws 150W versus the GRID K160Q's 225W — a 40% difference. The GeForce GTX 280M SLI is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 280M SLI) vs 350W (GRID K160Q). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGeForce GTX 280M SLIGRID K160Q
TDP
150W-33%
225W
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
PCIe-powered
Slots
0
Temp (Load)
95°C
Perf/Watt
4.1+46%
2.8
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GRID K160Q (2013 vs 2009).

FeatureGeForce GTX 280M SLIGRID K160Q
MSRP
$125
Codename
N10E-GTX
GK104
Release
March 2 2009
June 28 2013
Ranking
#793
#589

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.