GeForce GTX 580
VS
Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280

GeForce GTX 580 vs Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280

CPUCPUGPUGPU
NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 580

2010Core: 772 MHz

Popular choices:

RTX 4060•RTX 3060•RTX 4060 Ti•RTX 3070•GTX 1650•RTX 3060 Ti•RTX 4070•RTX 3050•RX 7600•RTX 4070 Ti
VS
AMD

Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280

2012Boost: 1250 MHz

Popular choices:

RTX 4060•RTX 3060•RTX 4060 Ti•RTX 3070•GTX 1650•RTX 3060 Ti•RTX 4070•RTX 3050•RX 7600•RTX 4070 Ti

Performance Spectrum - GPU

GeForce GTX 580
244
4,634
0.0%
brand logoGeForce GTX 950M
brand logoGeForce GTX 860M
brand logoGeForce GTX 765M SLI
brand logoGeForce GTX 880M SLI
brand logoGeForce GTX 1060 5GB
brand logoGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
brand logoGeForce RTX 5060 Mobile
brand logoGeForce RTX 2080 Ti
Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280
200
4,765
+2.8%
brand logoRadeon HD 8770
brand logoRadeon R7 360
brand logoRadeon RX 560
brand logoRadeon RX 460 (móvel)
brand logoRadeon RX 5500 XT
brand logoRadeon RX 6800M
brand logoRadeon RX 6850M XT
brand logoRadeon RX 6800

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.8% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 580.

InsightGeForce GTX 580Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280
Performance
❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.8%)
✅Leading raw performance (+2.8%)
Longevity
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014))
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))
Ecosystem
Supports FSR Upscaling
Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM
❌ Less VRAM capacity
✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency
⚡ Higher Power Consumption
💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit
Standard Size (267mm)
Standard Size (278mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 580 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 580 holds the technical lead. Priced at $30 (vs $35), it costs 14% less, resulting in a 13.5% higher cost efficiency score.

InsightGeForce GTX 580Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280
Cost Efficiency
✅Better overall value (+13.5%)
❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
✅More affordable ($30)
⚠️Higher upfront cost ($35)

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.

GeForce GTX 580 Benchmark Check

Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080p
low95 FPS
medium56 FPS
high39 FPS
ultra21 FPS
1440p
low61 FPS
medium35 FPS
high24 FPS
ultra14 FPS
4K
low18 FPS
medium13 FPS
high11 FPS
ultra6 FPS
Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080p
low132 FPS
medium92 FPS
high72 FPS
ultra53 FPS
1440p
low86 FPS
medium60 FPS
high46 FPS
ultra33 FPS
4K
low38 FPS
medium29 FPS
high22 FPS
ultra14 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p
low199 FPS
medium158 FPS
high129 FPS
ultra87 FPS
1440p
low140 FPS
medium112 FPS
high89 FPS
ultra61 FPS
4K
low73 FPS
medium58 FPS
high47 FPS
ultra35 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p
low84 FPS
medium67 FPS
high39 FPS
ultra24 FPS
1440p
low51 FPS
medium39 FPS
high21 FPS
ultra12 FPS
4K
low24 FPS
medium19 FPS
high10 FPS
ultra6 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080p
low209 FPS
medium167 FPS
high139 FPS
ultra104 FPS
1440p
low156 FPS
medium125 FPS
high104 FPS
ultra78 FPS
4K
low104 FPS
medium83 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra52 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080p
low214 FPS
medium172 FPS
high143 FPS
ultra107 FPS
1440p
low161 FPS
medium129 FPS
high107 FPS
ultra80 FPS
4K
low107 FPS
medium86 FPS
high71 FPS
ultra54 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

1080p
low179 FPS
medium146 FPS
high114 FPS
ultra71 FPS
1440p
low106 FPS
medium91 FPS
high69 FPS
ultra42 FPS
4K
low43 FPS
medium35 FPS
high22 FPS
ultra14 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

1080p
low194 FPS
medium157 FPS
high123 FPS
ultra90 FPS
1440p
low108 FPS
medium92 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra51 FPS
4K
low45 FPS
medium36 FPS
high22 FPS
ultra16 FPS
Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 580 and Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 580

The GeForce GTX 580 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in November 9 2010. It features the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 772 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 244W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,634 points. Launch price was $499.

AMD

Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280

The Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 31 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1250 MHz. It has 1792 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,765 points. Launch price was $449.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 580 scores 4,634 and the Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280 reaches 4,765 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 580 is built on Fermi 2.0 while the Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280 uses GCN 1.0, both on 40 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 512 (GeForce GTX 580) vs 1,792 (Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280). Raw compute: 1.581 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 580) vs 2.867 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280).

FeatureGeForce GTX 580Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280
G3D Mark Score
4,634
4,765+3%
Architecture
Fermi 2.0
GCN 1.0
Process Node
40 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
512
1792+250%
Compute (TFLOPS)
1.581 TFLOPS
2.867 TFLOPS+81%
ROPs
48+50%
32
TMUs
64
112+75%
L1 Cache
1 MB+127%
0.44 MB
L2 Cache
768 KB
768 KB
✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GTX 580Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280
Upscaling Tech
FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation
FSR 3 (Compatible)
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
AMD Anti-Lag
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 3 GB of GDDR5. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 580) vs 240 GB/s (Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280) — a 25% advantage for the Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280. Bus width: 384-bit vs 384-bit.

FeatureGeForce GTX 580Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280
VRAM Capacity
3 GB
3 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
192 GB/s
240 GB/s+25%
Bus Width
384-bit
384-bit
L2 Cache
768 KB
768 KB
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 580) vs 12 (Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280). Vulkan: N/A vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTX 580Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280
DirectX
12 (11_0)
12
Vulkan
N/A
1.2
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
2
4+100%
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (GeForce GTX 580) vs VCE 1.0 (Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs UVD 3.2. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce GTX 580) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MVC (Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280).

FeatureGeForce GTX 580Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280
Encoder
None
VCE 1.0
Decoder
PureVideo HD VP4
UVD 3.2
Codecs
H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1
H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MVC
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 580 draws 244W versus the Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280's 200W — a 19.8% difference. The Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce GTX 580) vs 500W (Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 278mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85 C vs 80°C.

FeatureGeForce GTX 580Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280
TDP
244W
200W-18%
Recommended PSU
550W
500W-9%
Power Connector
6-pin + 8-pin
2x 6-pin
Length
267mm
278mm
Height
111mm
111mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
85 C
80°C-6%
Perf/Watt
19.0
23.8+25%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 580 launched at $499 MSRP and currently averages $30, while the Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280 launched at $279 and now averages $35. The GeForce GTX 580 costs 14.3% less ($5 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 154.5 (GeForce GTX 580) vs 136.1 (Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280) — the GeForce GTX 580 offers 13.5% better value. The Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280 is the newer GPU (2012 vs 2010).

FeatureGeForce GTX 580Radeon HD 7950 / R9 280
MSRP
$499
$279-44%
Avg Price (30d)
$30-14%
$35
Performance per Dollar
154.5+14%
136.1
Codename
GF110
Tahiti
Release
November 9 2010
January 31 2012
Ranking
#458
#454