Arc Pro A30M 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.

Intel Arc Pro A30M vs Radeon R9 280X 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.

Intel Arc Pro A30M vs Radeon R9 280X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Intel Arc Pro A30M

2022

Why buy it

✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 3 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Generation 12.7 (2022−2023) on 6nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅Draws 50W instead of 200W, a 150W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than Radeon R9 280X across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 20.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Radeon R9 280X

2013

Why buy it

✅12.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 20.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($299 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 3 GB vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2013 hardware with 3 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌300% higher power demand at 200W vs 50W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

Radeon R9 280X is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 12.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 4.1% in PassMark G3D (6,100 vs 5,862), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

Intel Arc Pro A30M is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 4 GB vs 3 GB of VRAM, a 6nm process instead of 28nm, 8 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2022 generation instead of 2013. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

Radeon R9 280X 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 280X is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, Intel Arc Pro A30M has the stronger long-term case.

Intel Arc Pro A30M vs Radeon R9 280X Technical Specifications

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

Intel Arc Pro A30M

The Intel Arc Pro A30M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in August 8 2022. It features the Generation 12.7 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1500 MHz to 2000 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 6 nm process technology. It features 8 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,862 points.

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.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Intel Arc Pro A30M scores 5,862 and the Radeon R9 280X reaches 6,100 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 4.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Intel Arc Pro A30M is built on Generation 12.7 while the Radeon R9 280X uses GCN 1.0, both on 6 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (Intel Arc Pro A30M) vs 2,048 (Radeon R9 280X). Raw compute: 4.096 TFLOPS (Intel Arc Pro A30M) vs 4.096 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 280X). Boost clocks: 2000 MHz vs 1000 MHz.

Feature	Intel Arc Pro A30M	Radeon R9 280X
G3D Mark Score	5,862	6,100+4%
Architecture	Generation 12.7	GCN 1.0
Process Node	6 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1024	2048+100%
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.096 TFLOPS	4.096 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	2000 MHz+100%	1000 MHz
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	64	128+100%
L2 Cache	4 MB+433%	0.75 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Intel Arc Pro A30M	Radeon R9 280X
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Intel Arc Pro A30M has 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 280X carries 3 GB. Intel Arc Pro A30M gives you 33.3% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is System on the Intel Arc Pro A30M and 384-bit on the Radeon R9 280X. L2 Cache: 4 MB (Intel Arc Pro A30M) vs 0.75 MB (Radeon R9 280X) — the Intel Arc Pro A30M has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	Intel Arc Pro A30M	Radeon R9 280X
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+33%	3 GB
Memory Type	Shared	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	System	288 GB/s
Bus Width	System	384-bit
L2 Cache	4 MB+433%	0.75 MB

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Intel Arc Pro A30M draws 50W versus the Radeon R9 280X's 200W — a 120% difference. The Intel Arc Pro A30M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Intel Arc Pro A30M) vs 500W (Radeon R9 280X). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 6-pin + 8-pin.

Feature	Intel Arc Pro A30M	Radeon R9 280X
TDP	50W-75%	200W
Recommended PSU	350W-30%	500W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	6-pin + 8-pin
Slots	—	2
Temp (Load)	—	75°C
Perf/Watt	117.2+284%	30.5

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is Intel Arc Pro A30M (2022 vs 2013).

Feature	Intel Arc Pro A30M	Radeon R9 280X
MSRP	—	$299
Codename	DG2-128	Tahiti
Release	August 8 2022	October 8 2013
Ranking	#402	#404

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