Radeon R9 280 vs GeForce GTX 690
Radeon R9 280
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GeForce GTX 690
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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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 690 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.1% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon R9 280 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | Radeon R9 280 | GeForce GTX 690 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.1%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+50%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | Standard Size (279mm) |
💎 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 $45), it costs 11% less, resulting in a 12.4% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 280 | GeForce GTX 690 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+12.4%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($40) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($45) |
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 R9 280 and GeForce GTX 690
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 690
The GeForce GTX 690 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 3 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 915 MHz to 1019 MHz. It has 3072 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,536 points. Launch price was $999.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 280 scores 5,532 and the GeForce GTX 690 reaches 5,536 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 280 is built on GCN 1.0 while the GeForce GTX 690 uses Kepler, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,792 (Radeon R9 280) vs 3,072 (GeForce GTX 690). Raw compute: 3.344 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 280) vs 3.13 TFLOPS ×2 (GeForce GTX 690). Boost clocks: 933 MHz vs 1019 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 280 | GeForce GTX 690 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 5,532 | 5,536 |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | Kepler |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1792 | 3072 ×2+71% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 3.344 TFLOPS+7% | 3.13 TFLOPS ×2 |
| Boost Clock | 933 MHz | 1019 MHz+9% |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 ×2 |
| TMUs | 112 | 128 ×2+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 690 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 690 has 2 GB. The Radeon R9 280 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 240 GB/s (Radeon R9 280) vs 192.2 GB/s x2 (GeForce GTX 690) — a 24.9% advantage for the Radeon R9 280. Bus width: 384-bit vs 256-bit x2. L2 Cache: 768 KB (Radeon R9 280) vs 512 KB (GeForce GTX 690) — the Radeon R9 280 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon R9 280 | GeForce GTX 690 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 3 GB+50% | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 240 GB/s+25% | 192.2 GB/s x2 |
| Bus Width | 384-bit+50% | 256-bit x2 |
| L2 Cache | 768 KB+50% | 512 KB |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 280 draws 200W versus the GeForce GTX 690's 300W — a 40% difference. The Radeon R9 280 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon R9 280) vs 650W (GeForce GTX 690). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 2x 8-pin.
| Feature | Radeon R9 280 | GeForce GTX 690 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W-33% | 300W |
| Recommended PSU | 500W-23% | 650W |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | 2x 8-pin |
| Length | — | 279mm |
| Slots | — | 2 |
| Perf/Watt | 27.7+50% | 18.5 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 280 launched at $279 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the GeForce GTX 690 launched at $999 and now averages $45. The Radeon R9 280 costs 11.1% less ($5 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 138.3 (Radeon R9 280) vs 123.0 (GeForce GTX 690) — the Radeon R9 280 offers 12.4% better value. The Radeon R9 280 is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2012).
| Feature | Radeon R9 280 | GeForce GTX 690 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $279-72% | $999 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40-11% | $45 |
| Performance per Dollar | 138.3+12% | 123.0 |
| Codename | Tahiti | GK104 |
| Release | March 4 2014 | May 3 2012 |
| Ranking | #415 | #414 |
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