GeForce GTX 280M vs GeForce 720A
GeForce GTX 280M
Popular choices:
GeForce 720A
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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 280M is positioned at rank 120 and the GeForce 720A is on rank 252, so the GeForce GTX 280M 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 280M
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 720A
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce 720A is significantly newer (2015 vs 2008). The GeForce 720A likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 280M lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce 720A is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.2% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 280M offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.2%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | — |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce 720A 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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 280M and GeForce 720A
GeForce GTX 280M
The GeForce GTX 280M 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: 576 points. Launch price was $649.
GeForce 720A
The GeForce 720A is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 928 MHz to 941 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 577 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 280M scores 576 and the GeForce 720A reaches 577 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 280M is built on Tesla 2.0 while the GeForce 720A uses Maxwell, both on 65 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 240 (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 384 (GeForce 720A). Raw compute: 0.6221 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 0.7227 TFLOPS (GeForce 720A).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 576 | 577 |
| Architecture | Tesla 2.0 | Maxwell |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 240 | 384+60% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.6221 TFLOPS | 0.7227 TFLOPS+16% |
| ROPs | 32+300% | 8 |
| TMUs | 80+233% | 24 |
| L2 Cache | 0.25 MB | 1 MB+300% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| 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 comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce 720A has 512 MB. The GeForce GTX 280M offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 0.25 MB (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 1 MB (GeForce 720A) — the GeForce 720A has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB+100% | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 0.25 MB | 1 MB+300% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce 720A). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.1 (10_0) | 12 (11_0)+8% |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.6+39% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP2 (GeForce GTX 280M) vs NVENC (GeForce 720A). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP2 vs NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280M) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce 720A).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | PureVideo HD VP2 | NVENC |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP2 | NVDEC |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 280M draws 236W versus the GeForce 720A's 33W — a 150.9% difference. The GeForce 720A is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 350W (GeForce 720A). Power connectors: None vs Legacy. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 85.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 236W | 33W-86% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | None | Legacy |
| Length | — | 0mm |
| Height | — | 0mm |
| Slots | 0 | 0 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 85 |
| Perf/Watt | 2.4 | 17.5+629% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 720A is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce 720A |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $30 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $30 |
| Codename | GT200 | GM108 |
| Release | June 16 2008 | March 13 2015 |
| Ranking | #802 | #810 |
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