CPU
GPU
Radeon R9 M280X
Popular choices:
Quadro FX 3800
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. The Radeon R9 M280X is positioned at rank 285 and the Quadro FX 3800 is on rank 347, so the Radeon R9 M280X offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon R9 M280X
Performance Per Dollar Quadro FX 3800
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Quadro FX 3800 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.2% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon R9 M280X offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | Radeon R9 M280X | Quadro FX 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.2%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+300%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Quadro FX 3800 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Quadro FX 3800 holds the technical lead. Priced at $20 (vs $50), it costs 60% less, resulting in a 153.1% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 M280X | Quadro FX 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+153.1%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($50) | ✅More affordable ($20) |
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 M280X and Quadro FX 3800
Radeon R9 M280X
The Radeon R9 M280X 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: 814 points. Launch price was $299.
Quadro FX 3800
The Quadro FX 3800 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in November 11 2008. It features the Tesla 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 610 MHz. It has 240 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 189W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 824 points. Launch price was $3,499.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 M280X scores 814 and the Quadro FX 3800 reaches 824 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 M280X is built on GCN 1.0 while the Quadro FX 3800 uses Tesla 2.0, both on 28 nm vs 55 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (Radeon R9 M280X) vs 240 (Quadro FX 3800). Raw compute: 4.096 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 M280X) vs 0.6221 TFLOPS (Quadro FX 3800).
| Feature | Radeon R9 M280X | Quadro FX 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 814 | 824+1% |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | Tesla 2.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 55 nm |
| Shading Units | 2048+753% | 240 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 4.096 TFLOPS+558% | 0.6221 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 |
| TMUs | 128+60% | 80 |
| L2 Cache | 768 KB+200% | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 M280X | Quadro FX 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon R9 M280X comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Quadro FX 3800 has 1 GB. The Radeon R9 M280X offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 768 KB (Radeon R9 M280X) vs 256 KB (Quadro FX 3800) — the Radeon R9 M280X has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M280X | Quadro FX 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB+300% | 1 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 768 KB+200% | 256 KB |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 M280X draws 200W versus the Quadro FX 3800's 189W — a 5.7% difference. The Quadro FX 3800 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R9 M280X) vs 350W (Quadro FX 3800). Power connectors: Mobile vs PCIe-powered.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M280X | Quadro FX 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 189W-6% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Mobile | PCIe-powered |
| Length | — | 1mm |
| Slots | — | 1 |
| Perf/Watt | 4.1 | 4.4+7% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 M280X launched at $250 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the Quadro FX 3800 launched at $799 and now averages $20. The Quadro FX 3800 costs 60% less ($30 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 16.3 (Radeon R9 M280X) vs 41.2 (Quadro FX 3800) — the Quadro FX 3800 offers 152.8% better value. The Radeon R9 M280X is the newer GPU (2013 vs 2008).
| Feature | Radeon R9 M280X | Quadro FX 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $250-69% | $799 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50 | $20-60% |
| Performance per Dollar | 16.3 | 41.2+153% |
| Codename | Tahiti | GT200B |
| Release | October 8 2013 | November 11 2008 |
| Ranking | #404 | #815 |
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