GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU vs Radeon R9 M280X

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

2023Core: 2310 MHzBoost: 2535 MHz
RTX family
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VS
AMD

Radeon R9 M280X

2013Boost: 1000 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU vs Radeon R9 M280X Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU vs Radeon R9 M280X 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 RTX 4060 Laptop GPU vs Radeon R9 M280X: 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 RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

2023

Why buy it

  • 886.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 4 GB).
  • Better long-term bet: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
  • Draws 160W instead of 200W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 3.3 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $250 MSRP).

Radeon R9 M280X

2013

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 3.3 vs 0 G3D/$ ($250 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • 2013 hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 25% higher power demand at 200W vs 160W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 886.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 2037.6% in PassMark G3D (17,400 vs 814), so the answer here is pretty clean.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 8 GB vs 4 GB of VRAM, native frame generation with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023), while Radeon R9 M280X has no comparable frame-generation support, a 5nm process instead of 28nm, and 34 vs 0 ray-tracing units. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
Radeon R9 M280X 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 M280X is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and lighter 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU vs Radeon R9 M280X Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2310 MHz to 2535 MHz. It has 4352 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 34 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 17,400 points. Launch price was $399.

AMD

Radeon R9 M280X

The Radeon R9 M280X 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: 814 points. Launch price was $299.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU scores 17,400 versus the Radeon R9 M280X's 814 — the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU leads by 2037.6%. The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is built on Ada Lovelace while the Radeon R9 M280X uses GCN 1.0, both on 5 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 4,352 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 2,048 (Radeon R9 M280X). Raw compute: 22.06 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 4.096 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 M280X). Boost clocks: 2535 MHz vs 1000 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPURadeon R9 M280X
G3D Mark Score
17,400+2038%
814
Architecture
Ada Lovelace
GCN 1.0
Process Node
5 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
4352+113%
2048
Compute (TFLOPS)
22.06 TFLOPS+439%
4.096 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
2535 MHz+154%
1000 MHz
ROPs
48+50%
32
TMUs
136+6%
128
L1 Cache
4.3 MB+760%
0.5 MB
L2 Cache
32 MB+4167%
0.75 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The clearest feature edge for the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. In games that support it, that can smooth out motion and lift perceived FPS. The Radeon R9 M280X does not have comparable native support in the same tier.The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Radeon R9 M280X leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPURadeon R9 M280X
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation
DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
Yes (DLSS 3.5)
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
AMD Anti-Lag
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU has 8 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 M280X carries 4 GB. GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 256 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 80 GB/s (Radeon R9 M280X) — a 220% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU and 128-bit on the Radeon R9 M280X. L2 Cache: 32 MB (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 0.75 MB (Radeon R9 M280X) — the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPURadeon R9 M280X
VRAM Capacity
8 GB+100%
4 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
256 GB/s+220%
80 GB/s
Bus Width
128-bit
128-bit
L2 Cache
32 MB+4167%
0.75 MB
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU draws 160W versus the Radeon R9 M280X's 200W — a 22.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 350W (Radeon R9 M280X). Power connectors: Mobile vs Mobile.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPURadeon R9 M280X
TDP
160W-20%
200W
Recommended PSU
650W
350W-46%
Power Connector
Mobile
Mobile
Slots
0
Temp (Load)
80°C
Perf/Watt
108.8+2554%
4.1
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (2023 vs 2013).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPURadeon R9 M280X
MSRP
$250
Codename
AD106
Tahiti
Release
May 18 2023
October 8 2013
Ranking
#59
#404

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