CPU
GPU
Radeon R9 280X
Popular choices:
Arc A380
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar Arc A380
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Arc A380 is significantly newer (2022 vs 2013). The Arc A380 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 280X lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Arc A380 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3.3% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (6 GB vs 3 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R9 280X.
| Insight | Radeon R9 280X | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-3.3%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+3.3%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | Generation 12.7 (2022−2023) (6nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R9 280X offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $60 versus $119 for the Arc A380, it costs 50% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 92% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 280X | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+92%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($60) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($119) |
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 280X and Arc A380
Radeon R9 280X
The Radeon R9 280X 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: 6,100 points. Launch price was $299.
Arc A380
The Arc A380 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in June 14 2022. It features the Generation 12.7 architecture. The core clock ranges from 2000 MHz to 2050 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 6 nm process technology. It features 8 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,301 points. Launch price was $149.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 280X scores 6,100 and the Arc A380 reaches 6,301 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 280X is built on GCN 1.0 while the Arc A380 uses Generation 12.7, both on 28 nm vs 6 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (Radeon R9 280X) vs 1,024 (Arc A380). Raw compute: 4.096 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 280X) vs 4.198 TFLOPS (Arc A380). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 2050 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 280X | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 6,100 | 6,301+3% |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | Generation 12.7 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 6 nm |
| Shading Units | 2048+100% | 1024 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 4.096 TFLOPS | 4.198 TFLOPS+2% |
| Boost Clock | 1000 MHz | 2050 MHz+105% |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 |
| TMUs | 128+100% | 64 |
| L2 Cache | 0.75 MB | 4 MB+433% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 280X | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | XeSS |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon R9 280X comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the Arc A380 has 6 GB. The Arc A380 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 288 GB/s (Radeon R9 280X) vs 186 GB/s (Arc A380) — a 54.8% advantage for the Radeon R9 280X. Bus width: 384-bit vs 96-bit. L2 Cache: 0.75 MB (Radeon R9 280X) vs 4 MB (Arc A380) — the Arc A380 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon R9 280X | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 3 GB | 6 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 288 GB/s+55% | 186 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 384-bit+300% | 96-bit |
| L2 Cache | 0.75 MB | 4 MB+433% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_1) (Radeon R9 280X) vs 12 Ultimate (Arc A380). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon R9 280X | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_1) | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.2 | 1.3+8% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 3 | 4+33% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 280X) vs Xe Media Engine (Arc A380). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs Xe Media Engine. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 (Radeon R9 280X) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (Arc A380).
| Feature | Radeon R9 280X | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 2.0 | Xe Media Engine |
| Decoder | UVD 4.2 | Xe Media Engine |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 280X draws 200W versus the Arc A380's 75W — a 90.9% difference. The Arc A380 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon R9 280X) vs 300W (Arc A380). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs None. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 59.
| Feature | Radeon R9 280X | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 75W-63% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 300W-40% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | None |
| Length | — | 190mm |
| Height | — | 114mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | 59-21% |
| Perf/Watt | 30.5 | 84.0+175% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 280X launched at $299 MSRP and currently averages $60, while the Arc A380 launched at $149 and now averages $119. The Radeon R9 280X costs 49.6% less ($59 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 101.7 (Radeon R9 280X) vs 52.9 (Arc A380) — the Radeon R9 280X offers 92.2% better value. The Arc A380 is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2013).
| Feature | Radeon R9 280X | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $299 | $149-50% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $60-50% | $119 |
| Performance per Dollar | 101.7+92% | 52.9 |
| Codename | Tahiti | DG2-128 |
| Release | October 8 2013 | June 14 2022 |
| Ranking | #404 | #384 |
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