GeForce GTX 280M
GPU·Budget

GeForce GTX 280M

NVIDIA

G3D Mark

576

June 16 2008
236 Watt
Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)

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.

Overview

The GeForce GTX 280M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 16 2008. It features the Tesla 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 602 MHz. It has 240 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 236W. Manufactured using 65 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 576 points. Launch price was $649.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. The GeForce GTX 280M is positioned at rank #120 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Balanced cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 280M

#1
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
MSRP: $399|Avg: $280
693%
#2
GeForce RTX 5060
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
666%
#3
Radeon RX 5600 XT
MSRP: $279|Avg: $180
658%
#4
Radeon RX 9060
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
657%
#5
GeForce RTX 5050
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
655%
#6
GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
MSRP: $249|Avg: $150
652%
#7
Arc A580
MSRP: $179|Avg: $179
643%
#8
Radeon RX 9060 XT
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
641%
#9
Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
635%
#10
Radeon RX 7600
MSRP: $269|Avg: $250
633%
#11
Radeon RX 6600
MSRP: $329|Avg: $180
626%
#12
GeForce RTX 4060
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
624%
#13
Arc B570
MSRP: $219|Avg: $219
613%
#14
Arc B580
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
613%
#84
Radeon Ryzen 5 6600H
MSRP: $350|Avg: $350
94%
#105
Radeon R5 430 OEM
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $13
764%
#120
GeForce GTX 280M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#122
GeForce GTS 450
MSRP: $129|Avg: $20
99%
#123
Radeon HD 8570D
MSRP: $40|Avg: $15
99%
#125
Radeon HD 8650G
MSRP: $50|Avg: $50
96%
#126
GeForce GT 630
MSRP: $69|Avg: $20
95%
#128
Radeon HD 6770
MSRP: $129|Avg: $129
94%
#129
GeForce GT 440
MSRP: $79|Avg: $40
93%
#130
Radeon R7 340
MSRP: $99|Avg: $25
93%
#133
Radeon HD 6750
MSRP: $109|Avg: $109
92%
#135
Radeon R5 240
MSRP: $59|Avg: $10
90%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of GeForce GTX 280M specifications and capabilities.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 280M scores 576 in the G3D Mark benchmark (the standard measure of rasterization GPU performance), placing it in the Entry Level tier as a Legacy generation graphics card. It is built on the Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013) architecture (codename: GT200), manufactured on a 65 nm process— smaller process nodes improve power efficiency and transistor density. It packs 240 shader units (the primary compute units for rendering pixels), 80 TMUs (texture mapping units), and 32 ROPs (render output units that handle final pixel output). Raw FP32 compute power: 0.6221 TFLOPS — this measures the theoretical peak floating-point performance.

SpecificationGeForce GTX 280M
G3D MarkPassMark 3D graphics benchmark score576
ArchitectureGPU microarchitecture generationTesla 2.0 (2007−2013)
CodenameInternal GPU die codenameGT200
Manufacturing ProcessFabrication node — smaller = more efficient65 nm
Shader UnitsCore compute units for rendering/compute240
TMUsTexture Mapping Units — handle texture sampling80
ROPsRender Output Units — final pixel/color blending32
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum GPU frequency602 MHz
Compute (FP32)Peak single-precision floating-point performance0.6221 TFLOPS
Texture Fill RateTextures processed per second48.16 GTexel/s
PCIe InterfaceCPU↔GPU data link generationPCIe 1.1 x16
Transistor Count1,400 million
Performance RankPosition in global GPU performance ranking#802
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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 280M is equipped with 1 GB of GDDR5 video memory connected via a 128-bit memory bus, delivering Unknown of bandwidth. Memory operates at 8 Gbps effective speed.

SpecificationGeForce GTX 280M
VRAM SizeVideo memory capacity — more = better for high-res textures1 GB
VRAM TypeMemory technology generationGDDR5
Memory BusWidth of data path — wider = more bandwidth128-bit
Memory SpeedEffective memory data rate8 Gbps
BandwidthMaximum data throughput between GPU and VRAMUnknown
L2 Cache256 kB

Advanced Features & APIs

Graphics API support: DirectX 11.1 (10_0), OpenGL 3.3— latest API versions enable the most advanced rendering features like ray tracing and mesh shaders.

SpecificationGeForce GTX 280M
NVIDIA Reflex❌ Not Supported
DLSS Frame Generation❌ Not Supported
DLSS Super Resolution❌ Not Supported
DirectXMicrosoft graphics API version11.1 (10_0)
OpenGLLegacy graphics API3.3
Compute APIGPGPU framework (CUDA/ROCm/OpenCL)CUDA
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Display & Media

Display outputs: 1x Laptop Dependent — supports up to 2 simultaneous displays. Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP2, decoder: PureVideo HD VP2— dedicated hardware for video encoding/decoding accelerates streaming, recording, and video playback. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2.

SpecificationGeForce GTX 280M
Laptop Dependent PortsNumber of Laptop Dependent display connectors1x
Max DisplaysMaximum simultaneously connected monitors2
Hardware EncoderVideo encoding engine versionPureVideo HD VP2
Hardware DecoderVideo decoding engine versionPureVideo HD VP2
CodecsSupported video compression formatsH.264,VC-1,MPEG-2
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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 280M draws 236 Watt under load (TDP) — a 350W PSU minimum is recommended. Power connector: None. Physical size: , occupying 0 expansion slots— verify your case has clearance before purchasing. Typical temperatures: 60°C at idle, 85°C under load.

SpecificationGeForce GTX 280M
TDPPower consumption under load236 Watt
Recommended PSUMinimum power supply wattage350W
Power ConnectorRequired PCIe power cable typeNone
Slot WidthExpansion slots occupied0-slot
Idle TemperatureTypical temperature at desktop idle60°C
Load TemperatureTypical temperature under gaming load85°C
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Value Analysis

It holds Rank #120 in the cost-benefit ranking — a comprehensive score that weighs raw performance against current market pricing. Overall performance ranking position: #802 among all indexed GPUs.

SpecificationGeForce GTX 280M
Cost-Benefit RankOverall value ranking position#120
Performance RankPosition in global GPU performance ranking#802
Release DateJune 16 2008
Release Year2008

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