Radeon R9 280 vs GeForce GTX 970M SLI
Radeon R9 280
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GeForce GTX 970M SLI
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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 GeForce GTX 970M SLI
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon R9 280 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.6% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 970M SLI offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | Radeon R9 280 | GeForce GTX 970M SLI |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.6%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+33.3%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | — |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the Radeon R9 280 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 R9 280 and GeForce GTX 970M SLI
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 970M SLI
The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 7 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 924 MHz to 1038 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 162W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,500 points.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 280 scores 5,532 and the GeForce GTX 970M SLI reaches 5,500 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 280 is built on GCN 1.0 while the GeForce GTX 970M SLI uses Maxwell, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,792 (Radeon R9 280) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 970M SLI). Boost clocks: 933 MHz vs 1038 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 280 | GeForce GTX 970M SLI |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 5,532 | 5,500 |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | Maxwell |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1792 | 2560+43% |
| Boost Clock | 933 MHz | 1038 MHz+11% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 280 | GeForce GTX 970M SLI |
|---|---|---|
| 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 970M SLI has 4 GB. The GeForce GTX 970M SLI offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 240 GB/s (Radeon R9 280) vs 120 GB/s x2 (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) — a 400.8% advantage for the GeForce GTX 970M SLI. Bus width: 384-bit vs 192-bit x2.
| Feature | Radeon R9 280 | GeForce GTX 970M SLI |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 3 GB | 4 GB+33% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 240 GB/s+100% | 120 GB/s x2 |
| Bus Width | 384-bit+100% | 192-bit x2 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 280 draws 200W versus the GeForce GTX 970M SLI's 162W — a 21% difference. The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon R9 280) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 970M SLI). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 1x 6-pin.
| Feature | Radeon R9 280 | GeForce GTX 970M SLI |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 162W-19% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 350W-30% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | — | 0mm |
| Height | — | 0mm |
| Slots | — | 0 |
| Temp (Load) | — | 80°C |
| Perf/Watt | 27.7 | 34.0+23% |
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