Radeon R8 M445DX vs Radeon R9 M280X

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.

Radeon R8 M445DX 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.

Radeon R8 M445DX 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.

Radeon R8 M445DX

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 200W, a 185W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than Radeon R9 M280X across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 512 MB vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2016 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 3.3 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $250 MSRP).

Radeon R9 M280X

2013

Why buy it

✅110.5% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 3.3 vs 0 G3D/$ ($250 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅700% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 512 MB).

Trade-offs

❌2013 hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌1233.3% higher power demand at 200W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

Radeon R9 M280X is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 110.5% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 2.1% in PassMark G3D (814 vs 797), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

Radeon R8 M445DX is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a newer 2016 generation instead of 2013. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

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 some 1440p headroom, Radeon R8 M445DX has the stronger long-term case.

Radeon R8 M445DX vs Radeon R9 M280X Technical Specifications

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

Radeon R8 M445DX

The Radeon R8 M445DX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 15 2016. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 780 MHz to 920 MHz. It has 320 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 15W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 797 points.

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.

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Graphics Performance

The Radeon R8 M445DX scores 797 and the Radeon R9 M280X reaches 814 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R8 M445DX is built on GCN 3.0 while the Radeon R9 M280X uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 320 (Radeon R8 M445DX) vs 2,048 (Radeon R9 M280X). Raw compute: 0.5888 TFLOPS (Radeon R8 M445DX) vs 4.096 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 M280X). Boost clocks: 920 MHz vs 1000 MHz.

Feature	Radeon R8 M445DX	Radeon R9 M280X
G3D Mark Score	797	814+2%
Architecture	GCN 3.0	GCN 1.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	320	2048+540%
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.5888 TFLOPS	4.096 TFLOPS+596%
Boost Clock	920 MHz	1000 MHz+9%
ROPs	8	32+300%
TMUs	20	128+540%
L1 Cache	80 KB	512 KB+540%
L2 Cache	128 KB	768 KB+500%
Frame Generation	FSR upscaling	FSR upscaling

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon R8 M445DX	Radeon R9 M280X
Upscaling Tech	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	AMD Anti-Lag	AMD Anti-Lag

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The Radeon R8 M445DX has 512 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 M280X carries 4 GB. Radeon R9 M280X gives you 700% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the Radeon R8 M445DX and 128-bit on the Radeon R9 M280X. L2 Cache: 128 KB (Radeon R8 M445DX) vs 768 KB (Radeon R9 M280X) — the Radeon R9 M280X has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	Radeon R8 M445DX	Radeon R9 M280X
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	4 GB+700%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	64-bit	128-bit+100%
L2 Cache	128 KB	768 KB+500%

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Power & Dimensions

The Radeon R8 M445DX draws 15W versus the Radeon R9 M280X's 200W — a 172.1% difference. The Radeon R8 M445DX is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R8 M445DX) vs 350W (Radeon R9 M280X). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs Mobile.

Feature	Radeon R8 M445DX	Radeon R9 M280X
TDP	15W-93%	200W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	Mobile
Length	1mm	—
Slots	0	—
Perf/Watt	53.1+1195%	4.1

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Radeon R8 M445DX came in at $0, while the Radeon R9 M280X launched at $250. On MSRP, Radeon R8 M445DX was 100+% cheaper ($250 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): Infinity (Radeon R8 M445DX) vs 3.3 (Radeon R9 M280X) — the Radeon R8 M445DX offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Radeon R8 M445DX (2016 vs 2013).

Feature	Radeon R8 M445DX	Radeon R9 M280X
MSRP	$0-100%	$250
Performance per Dollar	Infinity	3.3
Codename	Meso	Tahiti
Release	May 15 2016	October 8 2013
Ranking	#899	#404

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