CPU
GPU
GeForce GTX 280M
Popular choices:
GeForce GTS 250
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The GeForce GTX 280M is positioned at rank 120 and the GeForce GTS 250 is on rank 246, 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 GTS 250
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 280M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.2% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTS 250.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.2%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi (2010−2014)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce GTX 280M 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 GTS 250
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 GTS 250
The GeForce GTS 250 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 13 2010. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 783 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 106W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 569 points. Launch price was $129.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 280M scores 576 and the GeForce GTS 250 reaches 569 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 280M is built on Tesla 2.0 while the GeForce GTS 250 uses Fermi, both on 65 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 240 (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 192 (GeForce GTS 250). Raw compute: 0.6221 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 0.6013 TFLOPS (GeForce GTS 250).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 576+1% | 569 |
| Architecture | Tesla 2.0 | Fermi |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 40 nm |
| Shading Units | 240+25% | 192 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.6221 TFLOPS+3% | 0.6013 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 32+100% | 16 |
| TMUs | 80+150% | 32 |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
Both cards feature 1 GB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTS 250). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.1 (10_0) | 11.1 (10_0) |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP2 (GeForce GTX 280M) vs PureVideo HD VP5 (GeForce GTS 250). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP2 vs PureVideo HD VP5. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280M) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTS 250).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | PureVideo HD VP2 | PureVideo HD VP5 |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP2 | PureVideo HD VP5 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 280M draws 236W versus the GeForce GTS 250's 106W — a 76% difference. The GeForce GTS 250 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 450W (GeForce GTS 250). Power connectors: None vs 1x 6-pin. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 90°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 236W | 106W-55% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-22% | 450W |
| Power Connector | None | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | — | 229mm |
| Height | — | 111mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C-6% | 90°C |
| Perf/Watt | 2.4 | 5.4+125% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTS 250 is the newer GPU (2010 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $129 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $20 |
| Codename | GT200 | GF106 |
| Release | June 16 2008 | September 13 2010 |
| Ranking | #802 | #791 |
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