CPU
GPU
Radeon R9 280X
Popular choices:
RTX A400
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 RTX A400
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The RTX A400 is significantly newer (2024 vs 2013). The RTX A400 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 Radeon R9 280X is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2% higher G3D Mark score. However, the RTX A400 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | Radeon R9 280X | RTX A400 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+2%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+33.3%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R9 280X offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $60 versus $135 for the RTX A400, it costs 56% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 129.4% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 280X | RTX A400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+129.4%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($60) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($135) |
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 RTX A400
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.
RTX A400
The RTX A400 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 16 2024. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 727 MHz to 1762 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 6 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,983 points.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 280X scores 6,100 and the RTX A400 reaches 5,983 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 280X is built on GCN 1.0 while the RTX A400 uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (Radeon R9 280X) vs 768 (RTX A400). Raw compute: 4.096 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 280X) vs 2.706 TFLOPS (RTX A400). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 1762 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 280X | RTX A400 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 6,100+2% | 5,983 |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 2048+167% | 768 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 4.096 TFLOPS+51% | 2.706 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1000 MHz | 1762 MHz+76% |
| ROPs | 32+100% | 16 |
| TMUs | 128+433% | 24 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 280X | RTX A400 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon R9 280X comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the RTX A400 has 4 GB. The RTX A400 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 384-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | Radeon R9 280X | RTX A400 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 3 GB | 4 GB+33% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Bus Width | 384-bit+200% | 128-bit |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 280X draws 200W versus the RTX A400's 50W — a 120% difference. The RTX A400 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon R9 280X) vs 350W (RTX A400). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs PCIe-powered.
| Feature | Radeon R9 280X | RTX A400 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 50W-75% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 350W-30% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Slots | 2 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 30.5 | 119.7+292% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 280X launched at $299 MSRP and currently averages $60, while the RTX A400 launched at $135 and now averages $135. The Radeon R9 280X costs 55.6% less ($75 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 101.7 (Radeon R9 280X) vs 44.3 (RTX A400) — the Radeon R9 280X offers 129.6% better value. The RTX A400 is the newer GPU (2024 vs 2013).
| Feature | Radeon R9 280X | RTX A400 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $299 | $135-55% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $60-56% | $135 |
| Performance per Dollar | 101.7+130% | 44.3 |
| Codename | Tahiti | GA107 |
| Release | October 8 2013 | April 16 2024 |
| Ranking | #404 | #397 |
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