GeForce GTX 970M SLI vs Radeon R9 280
GeForce GTX 970M SLI
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Radeon R9 280
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
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. The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is positioned at rank #132 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 970M SLI
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon R9 280 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.6% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 970M SLI offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 970M SLI | Radeon R9 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.6%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / 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 | — | — |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the Radeon R9 280 remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 970M SLI and Radeon R9 280
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.
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 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970M SLI | Radeon 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)
The GeForce GTX 970M SLI comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 280 has 3 GB. The GeForce GTX 970M SLI offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. 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. Bus width: 192-bit x2 vs 384-bit.
| 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% |
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 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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