GeForce GTX 860M vs Radeon R9 260

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 860M is positioned at rank #177 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. 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 GeForce GTX 860M

#167

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

351%

#169

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

318%

#170

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

317%

#174

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

288%

#175

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

286%

#177

GeForce GTX 860M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

100%

#179

Radeon R9 360

MSRP: $99|Avg: $55

99%

#180

GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (móvel)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $65

99%

#181

GeForce GTX 460M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $40

98%

#182

Radeon 6750M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $25

98%

#183

GeForce GT 525M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $30

97%

#185

Radeon R5 (Bristol Ridge)

MSRP: $50|Avg: $50

97%

#187

GeForce MX550

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

97%

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 860M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.5% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 260.

Insight	GeForce GTX 860M	Radeon R9 260
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+1.5%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.5%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell (2014−2017))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	—	—

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon R9 260 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R9 260 holds the technical lead. Priced at $40 (vs $50), it costs 20% less, resulting in a 23.1% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 860M	Radeon R9 260
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+23.1%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($50)	✅More affordable ($40)

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 860M Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 260 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 860M and Radeon R9 260

GeForce GTX 860M

The GeForce GTX 860M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 13 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 797 MHz to 1085 MHz. It has 1152 or 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,095 points.

Radeon R9 260

The Radeon R9 260 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 5 2013. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 947 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 275W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,048 points. Launch price was $399.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 860M scores 3,095 and the Radeon R9 260 reaches 3,048 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 860M is built on Maxwell while the Radeon R9 260 uses GCN 2.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,152 (GeForce GTX 860M) vs 2,560 (Radeon R9 260). Raw compute: 1.389 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 860M) vs 4.849 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 260).

Feature	GeForce GTX 860M	Radeon R9 260
G3D Mark Score	3,095+2%	3,048
Architecture	Maxwell	GCN 2.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1152 or 640	2560+122%
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.389 TFLOPS	4.849 TFLOPS+249%
ROPs	16	64+300%
TMUs	40	160+300%
L1 Cache	320 KB	640 KB+100%
L2 Cache	2 MB+100%	1 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 860M	Radeon R9 260
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 2 GB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 860M) vs 1 MB (Radeon R9 260) — the GeForce GTX 860M has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 860M	Radeon R9 260
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB+100%	1 MB

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 860M draws 75W versus the Radeon R9 260's 275W — a 114.3% difference. The GeForce GTX 860M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 860M) vs 450W (Radeon R9 260). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 1x 6-pin.

Feature	GeForce GTX 860M	Radeon R9 260
TDP	75W-73%	275W
Recommended PSU	350W-22%	450W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	1x 6-pin
Length	0mm	—
Height	0mm	—
Slots	0	—
Temp (Load)	80°C	—
Perf/Watt	41.3+272%	11.1

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon R9 260 costs 20% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 61.9 (GeForce GTX 860M) vs 76.2 (Radeon R9 260) — the Radeon R9 260 offers 23.1% better value. The GeForce GTX 860M is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2013).