GeForce GTX 960 vs Radeon R9 280X

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 960 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.5% higher G3D Mark score and 33.3% more VRAM (4 GB vs 3 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 280X.

Insight	GeForce GTX 960	Radeon R9 280X
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+0.5%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.5%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+33.3%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	—

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 960 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 960 holds the technical lead. Priced at $45 (vs $60), it costs 25% less, resulting in a 34.1% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 960	Radeon R9 280X
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+34.1%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($45)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($60)

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 960 Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 280X Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 960 and Radeon R9 280X

GeForce GTX 960

The GeForce GTX 960 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 22 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1127 MHz to 1178 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,133 points. Launch price was $199.

Radeon R9 280X

The Radeon R9 280X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 8 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,100 points. Launch price was $299.

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Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 960 scores 6,133 and the Radeon R9 280X reaches 6,100 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 960 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the Radeon R9 280X uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce GTX 960) vs 2,048 (Radeon R9 280X). Raw compute: 2.413 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 960) vs 4.096 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 280X). Boost clocks: 1178 MHz vs 1000 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	Radeon R9 280X
G3D Mark Score	6,133	6,100
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	GCN 1.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1024	2048+100%
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.413 TFLOPS	4.096 TFLOPS+70%
Boost Clock	1178 MHz+18%	1000 MHz
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	64	128+100%
L1 Cache	384 KB	512 KB+33%
L2 Cache	1 MB+33%	0.75 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	Radeon R9 280X
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 960 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 280X has 3 GB. The GeForce GTX 960 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 112 GB/s (GeForce GTX 960) vs 288 GB/s (Radeon R9 280X) — a 157.1% advantage for the Radeon R9 280X. Bus width: 128-bit vs 384-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GTX 960) vs 0.75 MB (Radeon R9 280X) — the GeForce GTX 960 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	Radeon R9 280X
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+33%	3 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	112 GB/s	288 GB/s+157%
Bus Width	128-bit	384-bit+200%
L2 Cache	1 MB+33%	0.75 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 960) vs 12 (11_1) (Radeon R9 280X). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 3.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	Radeon R9 280X
DirectX	12 (12_1)	12 (11_1)
Vulkan	1.3+8%	1.2
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4+33%	3

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Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce GTX 960) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 280X). Decoder: NVDEC (2nd Gen) vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8 (GeForce GTX 960) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 (Radeon R9 280X).

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	Radeon R9 280X
Encoder	NVENC (5th Gen)	VCE 2.0
Decoder	NVDEC (2nd Gen)	UVD 4.2
Codecs	HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 960 draws 100W versus the Radeon R9 280X's 200W — a 66.7% difference. The GeForce GTX 960 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 960) vs 500W (Radeon R9 280X). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Typical load temperature: 75 C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	Radeon R9 280X
TDP	100W-50%	200W
Recommended PSU	400W-20%	500W
Power Connector	6-pin	6-pin + 8-pin
Length	241mm	—
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75 C	75°C
Perf/Watt	61.3+101%	30.5

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 960 launched at $199 MSRP and currently averages $45, while the Radeon R9 280X launched at $299 and now averages $60. The GeForce GTX 960 costs 25% less ($15 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 136.3 (GeForce GTX 960) vs 101.7 (Radeon R9 280X) — the GeForce GTX 960 offers 34% better value. The GeForce GTX 960 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2013).