CPU
GPU
Radeon R9 M280X
Popular choices:
Radeon R7 M260DX
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 Radeon R7 M260DX is on rank 604, 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 Radeon R7 M260DX
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon R7 M260DX is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.4% 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 | Radeon R7 M260DX |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.4%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.4%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+700%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R9 M280X offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R9 M280X holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $300), it costs 83% less, resulting in a 497.8% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 M280X | Radeon R7 M260DX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+497.8%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($50) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($300) |
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 Radeon R7 M260DX
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.
Radeon R7 M260DX
The Radeon R7 M260DX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in December 6 2015. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 620 MHz to 715 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 817 points.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 M280X scores 814 and the Radeon R7 M260DX reaches 817 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 M280X is built on GCN 1.0 while the Radeon R7 M260DX uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,048 (Radeon R9 M280X) vs 384 (Radeon R7 M260DX). Raw compute: 4.096 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 M280X) vs 0.5491 TFLOPS (Radeon R7 M260DX). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 715 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M280X | Radeon R7 M260DX |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 814 | 817 |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2048+433% | 384 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 4.096 TFLOPS+646% | 0.5491 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1000 MHz+40% | 715 MHz |
| ROPs | 32+300% | 8 |
| TMUs | 128+433% | 24 |
| L1 Cache | 512 KB+433% | 96 KB |
| L2 Cache | 768 KB+200% | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 M280X | Radeon R7 M260DX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon R9 M280X comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R7 M260DX has 512 MB. The Radeon R9 M280X offers 700% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 768 KB (Radeon R9 M280X) vs 256 KB (Radeon R7 M260DX) — the Radeon R9 M280X has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M280X | Radeon R7 M260DX |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB+700% | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 80 GB/s | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 768 KB+200% | 256 KB |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 M280X draws 200W versus the Radeon R7 M260DX's 75W — a 90.9% difference. The Radeon R7 M260DX is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R9 M280X) vs 350W (Radeon R7 M260DX). Power connectors: Mobile vs Mobile.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M280X | Radeon R7 M260DX |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 75W-63% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Mobile | Mobile |
| Length | — | 1mm |
| Slots | — | 0 |
| Perf/Watt | 4.1 | 10.9+166% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 M280X launched at $250 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the Radeon R7 M260DX launched at $300 and now averages $300. The Radeon R9 M280X costs 83.3% less ($250 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 16.3 (Radeon R9 M280X) vs 2.7 (Radeon R7 M260DX) — the Radeon R9 M280X offers 503.7% better value. The Radeon R7 M260DX is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2013).
| Feature | Radeon R9 M280X | Radeon R7 M260DX |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $250-17% | $300 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-83% | $300 |
| Performance per Dollar | 16.3+504% | 2.7 |
| Codename | Tahiti | Opal |
| Release | October 8 2013 | December 6 2015 |
| Ranking | #404 | #878 |
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