Radeon R9 280 vs GeForce GTX 680

Radeon R9 280

2014Boost: 933 MHz

GeForce GTX 680

2012Core: 1006 MHzBoost: 1058 MHz

Performance Spectrum - GPU

Radeon R9 280

200

5,532

0.0%

5,609

+1.4%

GeForce RTX 2070 Super Mobile

RTX 4000 Ada Generation Laptop 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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

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 GeForce GTX 680 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.4% 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	Radeon R9 280	GeForce GTX 680
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.4%)	✅Leading raw performance (+1.4%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+33.3%)
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	—	Standard Size (256mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 680 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 680 holds the technical lead. Priced at $40 (vs $40), it costs 0% less, resulting in a 1.4% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon R9 280	GeForce GTX 680
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+1.4%)
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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.

Radeon R9 280 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 680 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon R9 280 and GeForce GTX 680

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.

GeForce GTX 680

The GeForce GTX 680 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 22 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 1006 MHz to 1058 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 195W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,609 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The Radeon R9 280 scores 5,532 and the GeForce GTX 680 reaches 5,609 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 280 is built on GCN 1.0 while the GeForce GTX 680 uses Kepler, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,792 (Radeon R9 280) vs 1,536 (GeForce GTX 680). Raw compute: 3.344 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 280) vs 3.25 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 680). Boost clocks: 933 MHz vs 1058 MHz.

Feature	Radeon R9 280	GeForce GTX 680
G3D Mark Score	5,532	5,609+1%
Architecture	GCN 1.0	Kepler
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1792+17%	1536
Compute (TFLOPS)	3.344 TFLOPS+3%	3.25 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	933 MHz	1058 MHz+13%
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	112	128+14%
L1 Cache	448 KB+250%	128 KB
L2 Cache	768 KB+50%	512 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon R9 280	GeForce GTX 680
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 R9 280 comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 680 has 4 GB. The GeForce GTX 680 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 240 GB/s (Radeon R9 280) vs 192.2 GB/s (GeForce GTX 680) — a 24.9% advantage for the Radeon R9 280. Bus width: 384-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 768 KB (Radeon R9 280) vs 512 KB (GeForce GTX 680) — the Radeon R9 280 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	Radeon R9 280	GeForce GTX 680
VRAM Capacity	3 GB	4 GB+33%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	240 GB/s+25%	192.2 GB/s
Bus Width	384-bit+50%	256-bit
L2 Cache	768 KB+50%	512 KB

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon R9 280 draws 200W versus the GeForce GTX 680's 195W — a 2.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 680 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon R9 280) vs 550W (GeForce GTX 680). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 2x 6-pin.

Feature	Radeon R9 280	GeForce GTX 680
TDP	200W	195W-3%
Recommended PSU	500W-9%	550W
Power Connector	6-pin + 8-pin	2x 6-pin
Length	—	256mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	—	2
Temp (Load)	—	98°C
Perf/Watt	27.7	28.8+4%

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon R9 280 launched at $279 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the GeForce GTX 680 launched at $499 and now averages $40. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 138.3 (Radeon R9 280) vs 140.2 (GeForce GTX 680) — the GeForce GTX 680 offers 1.4% better value. The Radeon R9 280 is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2012).