NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280M

# NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280M: Benchmark Database Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280M is a mobile graphics solution from the GeForce 200M generation, built on the Tesla architecture with a G92B chip manufactured on TSMC's 55 nm process. It packs 754 million transistors across a 260 mm² die, resulting in a transistor density of 2.9M per mm². This GPU sits at the 50th percentile among all GPUs in the database, indicating it performs at the median level of the entire range of graphics hardware tracked. The chip contains 128 shading units, 64 texture mapping units, and 16 raster output units, with a peak FP32 throughput of 374.5 GFLOPS.

Benchmark Performance

The GTX 280M's benchmark positioning is defined by its 50th percentile ranking, which places it exactly in the middle of the database's GPU performance distribution. This means half of all tracked GPUs deliver higher average benchmark scores, while the other half fall below this mobile part. In practical terms, this percentile suggests the GTX 280M is a competent performer for its era but not a standout — it occupies the mainstream-to-midrange segment of mobile graphics.

The average benchmark score for this GPU is recorded as 0, which requires careful interpretation. This zero value indicates that no standardized benchmark runs have been logged for this specific model in the database, rather than implying the GPU produces no output. The percentile ranking, however, is derived from the broader dataset and provides the comparative anchor. Without direct score comparisons to rivals, the percentile becomes the primary quantitative reference point.

The pixel rate of 9.360 GPixel/s and texture rate of 37.44 GTexel/s offer insight into its fill-rate capabilities. These figures suggest the GTX 280M can handle 1080p-class resolutions at moderate detail settings, though the pixel throughput would become a limiting factor at higher resolutions or with demanding anti-aliasing enabled. The texture rate, driven by 64 TMUs, indicates solid texture fetch performance that benefits games relying heavily on textured surfaces.

The FP32 compute throughput of 374.5 GFLOPS positions this GPU as a modest compute performer. For gaming workloads, this level of shader throughput supports DirectX 10-era titles and lighter DirectX 11 workloads, but it would struggle with modern compute-heavy effects such as advanced tessellation or physics simulations. The data shows a clear performance ceiling defined by these raw throughput numbers, and the 50th percentile ranking reinforces that this is a middle-tier mobile solution.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

The GTX 280M does not include dedicated ray tracing cores, as the RT core count is listed as null in the specifications. Similarly, tensor cores are absent, with that field also returning null. This is consistent with the Tesla architecture, which predates NVIDIA's RTX line by over a decade. Consequently, hardware-accelerated ray tracing is entirely unsupported by this GPU, and any ray-traced effects would rely on software-based implementations, which would be prohibitively slow given the 374.5 GFLOPS FP32 throughput.

The API support on the GTX 280M includes DirectX 11.1 with a feature level of 10_0, along with OpenGL 3.3. The DirectX 11.1 designation with a 10_0 feature level is a critical detail: the GPU supports the DirectX 11.1 runtime but only exposes the DirectX 10 feature set. This means shader model 4.0 capabilities rather than the full DirectX 11 feature set. Games requiring DirectX 11-specific features like tessellation or compute shaders would either run at reduced functionality or fail to run entirely, depending on the title's implementation. OpenGL 3.3 support provides compatibility with a wide range of older titles, but modern OpenGL 4.x features are unavailable.

Vulkan support is listed as null, meaning the GPU has no Vulkan driver support in the database. This further restricts modern game compatibility, as many recent titles default to Vulkan or use it as a primary rendering path. The absence of both ray tracing and tensor cores, combined with the dated API feature set, firmly positions the GTX 280M as a legacy product suited for older gaming libraries rather than contemporary releases.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals field in the FACT PACK is empty, providing no direct competitor comparisons with scores or deltaPct values. This absence of rival data means the analysis must rely solely on the percentile ranking and internal specifications to contextualize performance. The 50th percentile placement suggests the GTX 280M sits at the midpoint of all GPUs ever tracked, which implies it outperforms many older integrated solutions and low-end discrete parts while trailing the vast majority of modern GPUs.

Without rival deltas, the comparison must be drawn from the specification sheet. The 128 shading units and 60.80 GB/s memory bandwidth indicate this GPU competes with mid-range mobile parts from its own generation. The 55 nm process node and 75 W TDP suggest a power envelope that was typical for high-end laptop GPUs in the late 2000s, placing it in the performance tier for gaming laptops of that era. The MXM module form factor indicates it was designed for upgradeable laptop designs rather than soldered, integrated solutions.

The absence of direct rival data is notable but not unusual for a mobile GPU from this era, as benchmark databases frequently lack comprehensive coverage of older laptop parts. The 50th percentile ranking, however, provides a consistent reference point that allows reasonable positioning against the full GPU landscape, even in the absence of specific rival scores.

FAQ

Q: Does the GTX 280M support hardware ray tracing?

A: No. The GPU has no ray tracing cores, as the rtCores field is null, and the Tesla architecture predates dedicated ray tracing hardware. Any ray-traced effects would require software rendering, which would be impractically slow given the 374.5 GFLOPS FP32 throughput.

Q: What DirectX version does the GTX 280M support?

A: The GPU supports DirectX 11.1 with a feature level of 10_0. This means it runs the DirectX 11.1 runtime but only exposes DirectX 10-level features, such as shader model 4.0, rather than full DirectX 11 capabilities.

Q: Can the GTX 280M play modern games?

A: The data indicates significant limitations. With a DirectX 10 feature level, no Vulkan support, and OpenGL 3.3, the GPU is incompatible with many modern titles that require DirectX 11 features or Vulkan. It is best suited for older games from its 2009 release era.

Q: How much memory does the GTX 280M have and what type?

A: The GPU features 1024 MB of GDDR3 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 60.80 GB/s. This memory configuration was typical for high-end mobile GPUs at the time of release.

Q: What is the power consumption of the GTX 280M?

A: The TDP is listed at 75 W. This is a relatively modest power draw for a discrete mobile GPU, but it still requires adequate cooling in a laptop chassis. The GPU uses an MXM module form factor with no additional power connectors required.

Q: What is the manufacturing process for the GTX 280M?

A: The GPU is fabricated on TSMC's 55 nm process node, containing 754 million transistors on a 260 mm² die. The process node and transistor count together yield a transistor density of 2.9M per mm².

Who Should Consider It

The GTX 280M is positioned at the 50th percentile among all GPUs, which translates to a specific set of use-case scenarios. For 720p gaming, the pixel rate of 9.360 GPixel/s and texture rate of 37.44 GTexel/s provide sufficient throughput for older DirectX 9 and DirectX 10 titles at medium-to-high settings. Games released around 2008-2010, such as early entries in popular franchises, should run acceptably at this resolution. The 1024 MB VRAM capacity is adequate for 720p textures of that era.

At 1080p resolution, the GTX 280M becomes more constrained. The 60.80 GB/s memory bandwidth and 374.5 GFLOPS FP32 throughput would limit performance to low-to-medium settings in most games from its release period. The 16 ROPs would also cap pixel throughput, potentially causing frame rate drops in scenes with heavy fill-rate demands or post-processing effects. Users seeking 1080p gaming would need to lower resolution scaling or accept reduced graphical fidelity.

The DirectX 10 feature level restricts eligibility to games that support this API. Titles requiring DirectX 11-specific features, such as tessellated terrain or compute-shader-based effects, are incompatible. The lack of Vulkan support further narrows the compatible game library. This GPU is therefore best suited for retro gaming enthusiasts looking to play titles from the Windows Vista/Windows 7 era, or for use as a secondary device in legacy laptop systems. It is not recommended for current-gen gaming or any modern compute workloads, given the absence of tensor cores and the dated API support.

Power and Cooling

The GTX 280M has a thermal design power (TDP) of 75 W, which places it in a moderate power envelope for a discrete mobile GPU. This power draw is manageable within a laptop cooling solution, but it does generate significant heat that requires a capable thermal solution — likely a heat pipe and fan combination designed for gaming notebooks. The GPU is delivered as an MXM Module, meaning it is installed on a replaceable mezzanine card rather than soldered directly to the motherboard. This form factor allows for potential upgrades in compatible laptops, provided the system's cooling and power delivery can accommodate a different module.

The power connector field is listed as "None," which indicates the MXM module draws power directly from the laptop's motherboard through the MXM-HE interface rather than requiring external PCIe power connectors. The bus interface is MXM-HE, the high-end variant of the MXM standard, which provides the electrical and mechanical interface for this mobile GPU. There is no suggested PSU recommendation in the FACT PACK, which is expected since the GTX 280M is a laptop component and does not use a desktop power supply. The 75 W TDP, combined with the lack of power connectors, underscores that this GPU is designed for mobile systems with integrated power delivery, not desktop configurations with external PSUs.

Memory Subsystem

The memory subsystem of the GTX 280M consists of 1024 MB of GDDR3 memory connected via a 256-bit bus, yielding a total bandwidth of 60.80 GB/s. The memory clock is 950 MHz, which translates to 1900 Mbps effective data rate. This bandwidth figure is modest by modern standards but was competitive for high-end mobile GPUs at the time of release. The 256-bit bus width allows for efficient data transfer between the GPU and memory, which is particularly important for texture-heavy workloads.

At 1080p and above, the 1024 MB VRAM capacity and 60.80 GB/s bandwidth present notable constraints. Modern games with high-resolution texture packs can exceed 1024 MB of video memory usage, leading to texture swapping or reduced texture quality. The bandwidth figure also limits the GPU's ability to stream large amounts of geometry and texture data quickly, which can cause hitches in open-world games or levels with large draw distances. For 720p gaming, the memory subsystem is generally sufficient, as texture sizes and data throughput requirements scale down with resolution. However, the 16 ROPs and 9.360 GPixel/s pixel rate also factor into the overall memory-related performance ceiling, as the GPU cannot consume data from memory faster than its pixel and texture processing pipelines can handle it.