GeForce GTX 560M vs GeForce GTX 280
GeForce GTX 560M
Popular choices:
GeForce GTX 280
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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 560M is positioned at rank 165 and the GeForce GTX 280 is on rank 314, so the GeForce GTX 560M 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 560M
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 280
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 280 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.3% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 560M offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 560M | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.3%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.3%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+200%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce GTX 280 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 560M and GeForce GTX 280
GeForce GTX 560M
The GeForce GTX 560M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 30 2011. It features the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 775 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,281 points.
GeForce GTX 280
The GeForce GTX 280 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: 1,285 points. Launch price was $649.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 560M scores 1,281 and the GeForce GTX 280 reaches 1,285 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 560M is built on Fermi 2.0 while the GeForce GTX 280 uses Tesla 2.0, both on 40 nm vs 65 nm. Shader units: 192 (GeForce GTX 560M) vs 240 (GeForce GTX 280). Raw compute: 0.5952 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 560M) vs 0.6221 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 280).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 560M | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 1,281 | 1,285 |
| Architecture | Fermi 2.0 | Tesla 2.0 |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 65 nm |
| Shading Units | 192 | 240+25% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.5952 TFLOPS | 0.6221 TFLOPS+5% |
| ROPs | 24 | 32+33% |
| TMUs | 32 | 80+150% |
| L2 Cache | 384 KB+50% | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 560M | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 560M comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 280 has 1 GB. The GeForce GTX 560M offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 384 KB (GeForce GTX 560M) vs 256 KB (GeForce GTX 280) — the GeForce GTX 560M has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 560M | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 3 GB+200% | 1 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 384 KB+50% | 256 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 560M) vs 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 280). Vulkan: 1.2 vs N/A. OpenGL: 4.0 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 560M | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0)+8% | 11.1 (10_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.2 | N/A |
| OpenGL | 4.0+21% | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP4 (GeForce GTX 560M) vs None (GeForce GTX 280). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs PureVideo HD (VP2). Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GTX 560M) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 280).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 560M | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | PureVideo HD VP4 | None |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP4 | PureVideo HD (VP2) |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 560M draws 75W versus the GeForce GTX 280's 236W — a 103.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 560M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 560M) vs 550W (GeForce GTX 280). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 85.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 560M | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 75W-68% | 236W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-36% | 550W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin |
| Length | — | 267mm |
| Height | — | 111mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 85 |
| Perf/Watt | 17.1+217% | 5.4 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 560M is the newer GPU (2011 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 560M | GeForce GTX 280 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $649 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $649 |
| Codename | GF116 | GT200 |
| Release | May 30 2011 | June 16 2008 |
| Ranking | #804 | #802 |
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