GeForce GTX 970M SLI vs Radeon R9 280

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.

GeForce GTX 970M SLI vs Radeon R9 280 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce GTX 970M SLI vs Radeon R9 280: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce GTX 970M SLI

2014

Why buy it

✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 3 GB).
✅Draws 162W instead of 200W, a 38W reduction.
✅More future proof: Maxwell (2014−2017) on 28nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than Radeon R9 280 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌2014 hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 19.8 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $279 MSRP).

Radeon R9 280

2014

Why buy it

✅46.6% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 19.8 vs 0 G3D/$ ($279 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 3 GB vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2014 hardware with 3 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌23.5% higher power demand at 200W vs 162W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

Radeon R9 280 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 46.6% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 0.6% in PassMark G3D (5,532 vs 5,500), so the answer here is pretty clean.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce GTX 970M SLI is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 4 GB vs 3 GB of VRAM. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

Radeon R9 280 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, Radeon R9 280 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce GTX 970M SLI has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 970M SLI vs Radeon R9 280 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

GeForce GTX 970M SLI

The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 7 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 924 MHz to 1038 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 162W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,500 points.

Radeon R9 280

The Radeon R9 280 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in March 4 2014. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 933 MHz. It has 1792 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,532 points. Launch price was $279.

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Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 970M SLI scores 5,500 and the Radeon R9 280 reaches 5,532 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is built on Maxwell while the Radeon R9 280 uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs 1,792 (Radeon R9 280). Boost clocks: 1038 MHz vs 933 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	Radeon R9 280
G3D Mark Score	5,500	5,532
Architecture	Maxwell	GCN 1.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2560+43%	1792
Boost Clock	1038 MHz+11%	933 MHz

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 970M SLI gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Radeon R9 280 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	Radeon R9 280
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	AMD Anti-Lag

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 970M SLI has 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 280 carries 3 GB. GeForce GTX 970M SLI gives you 33.3% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 120 GB/s x2 (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs 240 GB/s (Radeon R9 280) — a 400.8% advantage for the GeForce GTX 970M SLI. Memory bus width is 192-bit x2 on the GeForce GTX 970M SLI and 384-bit on the Radeon R9 280.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	Radeon R9 280
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+33%	3 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	120 GB/s x2	240 GB/s+100%
Bus Width	192-bit x2	384-bit+100%

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 970M SLI draws 162W versus the Radeon R9 280's 200W — a 21% difference. The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs 500W (Radeon R9 280). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970M SLI	Radeon R9 280
TDP	162W-19%	200W
Recommended PSU	350W-30%	500W
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	6-pin + 8-pin
Length	0mm	—
Height	0mm	—
Slots	0	—
Temp (Load)	80°C	—
Perf/Watt	34.0+23%	27.7