CPU
GPU
Radeon HD 8550D
Popular choices:
GeForce GTX 280M
Popular choices:
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Radeon HD 8550D is positioned at rank 111 and the GeForce GTX 280M is on rank 120, so the Radeon HD 8550D offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 8550D
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 280M
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 280M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.6% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (1 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 8550D.
| Insight | Radeon HD 8550D | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.6%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | — |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce GTX 280M 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 Radeon HD 8550D and GeForce GTX 280M
Radeon HD 8550D
The Radeon HD 8550D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in March 5 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 567 points. Launch price was $249.
GeForce GTX 280M
The GeForce GTX 280M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 16 2008. It features the Tesla 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 602 MHz. It has 240 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 236W. Manufactured using 65 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 576 points. Launch price was $649.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon HD 8550D scores 567 and the GeForce GTX 280M reaches 576 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 8550D is built on GCN 1.0 while the GeForce GTX 280M uses Tesla 2.0, both on 28 nm vs 65 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (Radeon HD 8550D) vs 240 (GeForce GTX 280M). Raw compute: 1.761 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 8550D) vs 0.6221 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 280M).
| Feature | Radeon HD 8550D | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 567 | 576+2% |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | Tesla 2.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 65 nm |
| Shading Units | 1024+327% | 240 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.761 TFLOPS+183% | 0.6221 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 |
| TMUs | 64 | 80+25% |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB+100% | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 8550D | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon HD 8550D comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 280M has 1 GB. The GeForce GTX 280M offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 512 KB (Radeon HD 8550D) vs 256 KB (GeForce GTX 280M) — the Radeon HD 8550D has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon HD 8550D | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 1 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB+100% | 256 KB |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 8550D draws 130W versus the GeForce GTX 280M's 236W — a 57.9% difference. The Radeon HD 8550D is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon HD 8550D) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 280M). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs None.
| Feature | Radeon HD 8550D | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 130W-45% | 236W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | None |
| Slots | — | 0 |
| Temp (Load) | — | 85°C |
| Perf/Watt | 4.4+83% | 2.4 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 8550D is the newer GPU (2012 vs 2008).
| Feature | Radeon HD 8550D | GeForce GTX 280M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $50 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50 | — |
| Codename | Pitcairn | GT200 |
| Release | March 5 2012 | June 16 2008 |
| Ranking | #503 | #802 |
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