GRID P40-12Q 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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. The GRID P40-12Q is positioned at rank #351 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 GRID P40-12Q

#336

Tesla K20m

MSRP: $3199|Avg: $55

15230%

#351

GRID P40-12Q

MSRP: $5699|Avg: $5699

100%

#352

FirePro 2270

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98%

#353

FirePro 2460

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#355

Quadro FX 580

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94%

#356

FirePro 3D V5700

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94%

#358

GRID M60-1B

MSRP: $2500|Avg: $120

93%

#359

FireStream 9270

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92%

#360

Quadro 400

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91%

#361

FirePro 2260

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91%

#362

Quadro FX 380 LP

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#364

Quadro FX 1800

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84%

#365

FirePro 3D V8700

MSRP: $1499|Avg: $1229

82%

#366

FirePro 3D V9800

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82%

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 GRID P40-12Q is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.1% 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 280.

Insight	GRID P40-12Q	Radeon R9 280
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+0.1%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.1%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+33.3%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	—	—

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon R9 280 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R9 280 holds the technical lead. Priced at $40 (vs $5,699), it costs 99% less, resulting in a 14126.9% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GRID P40-12Q	Radeon R9 280
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+14126.9%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($5,699)	✅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.

GRID P40-12Q Benchmark Check

Radeon R9 280 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GRID P40-12Q and Radeon R9 280

GRID P40-12Q

The GRID P40-12Q is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 30 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 557 MHz to 1178 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 225W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,540 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 GRID P40-12Q scores 5,540 and the Radeon R9 280 reaches 5,532 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GRID P40-12Q is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the Radeon R9 280 uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,048 (GRID P40-12Q) vs 1,792 (Radeon R9 280). Raw compute: 4.825 TFLOPS (GRID P40-12Q) vs 3.344 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 280). Boost clocks: 1178 MHz vs 933 MHz.

Feature	GRID P40-12Q	Radeon R9 280
G3D Mark Score	5,540	5,532
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	GCN 1.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2048+14%	1792
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.825 TFLOPS+44%	3.344 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1178 MHz+26%	933 MHz
ROPs	64+100%	32
TMUs	128+14%	112
L1 Cache	768 KB+71%	448 KB
L2 Cache	2 MB+167%	0.75 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GRID P40-12Q	Radeon R9 280
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GRID P40-12Q comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 280 has 3 GB. The GRID P40-12Q offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 384-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GRID P40-12Q) vs 0.75 MB (Radeon R9 280) — the GRID P40-12Q has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GRID P40-12Q	Radeon R9 280
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+33%	3 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Bus Width	128-bit	384-bit+200%
L2 Cache	2 MB+167%	0.75 MB

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GRID P40-12Q draws 225W versus the Radeon R9 280's 200W — a 11.8% difference. The Radeon R9 280 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GRID P40-12Q) vs 500W (Radeon R9 280). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 6-pin + 8-pin.

Feature	GRID P40-12Q	Radeon R9 280
TDP	225W	200W-11%
Recommended PSU	350W-30%	500W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	6-pin + 8-pin
Perf/Watt	24.6	27.7+13%

💰

Value Analysis

The GRID P40-12Q launched at $5699 MSRP and currently averages $5699, while the Radeon R9 280 launched at $279 and now averages $40. The Radeon R9 280 costs 99.3% less ($5659 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 1.0 (GRID P40-12Q) vs 138.3 (Radeon R9 280) — the Radeon R9 280 offers 13730% better value. The GRID P40-12Q is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2014).