GeForce GTX 280M vs GeForce RTX 3060
GeForce GTX 280M
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GeForce RTX 3060
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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. The GeForce GTX 280M is positioned at rank #120 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Balanced 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 280M
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2008). The GeForce RTX 3060 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 RTX 3060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2850.5% higher G3D Mark score and 1100% more VRAM (12 GB vs 1 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 280M.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2850.5%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+2850.5%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce RTX 3060 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 RTX 3060
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 RTX 3060
The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 280M scores 576 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 2850.5%. The GeForce GTX 280M is built on Tesla 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 65 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 240 (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 0.6221 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 576 | 16,995+2851% |
| Architecture | Tesla 2.0 | Ampere |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 240 | 3584+1393% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.6221 TFLOPS | 12.74 TFLOPS+1948% |
| ROPs | 32 | 48+50% |
| TMUs | 80 | 112+40% |
| L2 Cache | 0.25 MB | 3 MB+1100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 280M comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 1100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 0.25 MB (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB | 12 GB+1100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | 360 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 192-bit+50% |
| L2 Cache | 0.25 MB | 3 MB+1100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.1 (10_0) | 12 Ultimate+8% |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.6+39% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 4+100% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP2 (GeForce GTX 280M) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP2 vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280M) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | PureVideo HD VP2 | NVENC 7th Gen |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP2 | NVDEC 5th Gen |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 280M draws 236W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 32.5% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 280M) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: None vs 8-pin. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 236W | 170W-28% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-36% | 550W |
| Power Connector | None | 8-pin |
| Length | — | 242mm |
| Height | — | 112mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 75-12% |
| Perf/Watt | 2.4 | 100.0+4067% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 280M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $329 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $289 |
| Codename | GT200 | GA106 |
| Release | June 16 2008 | January 12 2021 |
| Ranking | #802 | #114 |
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