GeForce GTX 680 vs Radeon R9 285 / 380

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 GeForce GTX 680 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.1% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (4 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 285 / 380.

Insight	GeForce GTX 680	Radeon R9 285 / 380
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+1.1%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.1%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 3.0 (2014−2019))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+100%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	Standard Size (256mm)	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 680 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 680 holds the technical lead. Priced at $40 (vs $199), it costs 80% less, resulting in a 402.8% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 680	Radeon R9 285 / 380
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+402.8%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($40)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($199)

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 680 Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 285 / 380 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 680 and Radeon R9 285 / 380

GeForce GTX 680

The GeForce GTX 680 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 22 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 1006 MHz to 1058 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 195W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,609 points. Launch price was $499.

Radeon R9 285 / 380

The Radeon R9 285 / 380 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in September 2 2014. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 918 MHz. It has 1792 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 190W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,550 points. Launch price was $249.

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Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 680 scores 5,609 and the Radeon R9 285 / 380 reaches 5,550 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 680 is built on Kepler while the Radeon R9 285 / 380 uses GCN 3.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,536 (GeForce GTX 680) vs 1,792 (Radeon R9 285 / 380). Raw compute: 3.25 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 680) vs 3.29 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 285 / 380).

Feature	GeForce GTX 680	Radeon R9 285 / 380
G3D Mark Score	5,609+1%	5,550
Architecture	Kepler	GCN 3.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1536	1792+17%
Compute (TFLOPS)	3.25 TFLOPS	3.29 TFLOPS+1%
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	128+14%	112
L1 Cache	128 KB	448 KB+250%
L2 Cache	512 KB	512 KB

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 680	Radeon R9 285 / 380
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)

The GeForce GTX 680 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 285 / 380 has 2 GB. The GeForce GTX 680 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192.2 GB/s (GeForce GTX 680) vs 176 GB/s (Radeon R9 285 / 380) — a 9.2% advantage for the GeForce GTX 680. Bus width: 256-bit vs 256-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 680	Radeon R9 285 / 380
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+100%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	192.2 GB/s+9%	176 GB/s
Bus Width	256-bit	256-bit
L2 Cache	512 KB	512 KB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (FL 11_0) (GeForce GTX 680) vs 12 (Radeon R9 285 / 380). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 680	Radeon R9 285 / 380
DirectX	12 (FL 11_0)	12
Vulkan	1.1	1.2+9%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st gen (GeForce GTX 680) vs VCE 3.0 (Radeon R9 285 / 380). Decoder: PureVideo VP5 vs UVD 5.0. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 680) vs H.264,HEVC,VP9 (Radeon R9 285 / 380).

Feature	GeForce GTX 680	Radeon R9 285 / 380
Encoder	NVENC 1st gen	VCE 3.0
Decoder	PureVideo VP5	UVD 5.0
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2	H.264,HEVC,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 680 draws 195W versus the Radeon R9 285 / 380's 190W — a 2.6% difference. The Radeon R9 285 / 380 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce GTX 680) vs 500W (Radeon R9 285 / 380). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 256mm vs 221mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 680	Radeon R9 285 / 380
TDP	195W	190W-3%
Recommended PSU	550W	500W-9%
Power Connector	2x 6-pin	2x 6-pin
Length	256mm	221mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	98°C	—
Perf/Watt	28.8	29.2+1%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 680 launched at $499 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the Radeon R9 285 / 380 launched at $199 and now averages $199. The GeForce GTX 680 costs 79.9% less ($159 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 140.2 (GeForce GTX 680) vs 27.9 (Radeon R9 285 / 380) — the GeForce GTX 680 offers 402.5% better value. The Radeon R9 285 / 380 is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2012).