NVIDIA
GeForce GTX 970 vs GeForce GTX 280
Full comparison of specs, performance and benchmarks
NVIDIA
GTX 280
Aggregate performance score
We've compared GTX 970 and GTX 280 across specs and all relevant benchmarks.
↗GTX 970 outperforms GTX 280 by ~16% on the catalog index; this is not a measured FPS gain.+16%
Scores are normalized on the Head to Head scale. Higher is better. How is this calculated?H2HBench Data Quality
Low confidenceSpecifications: Field verification not recordedVerified gaming results: 0Estimated / unverified results: 32Price record updated: Sep 6, 2026
Limited verified data
H2HBench Verdict
Higher catalog score: GeForce GTX 970 (~10%)
The score difference is not a measured FPS improvement.
Reasons to consider GTX 970
- Higher catalog performance index
- More graphics memory
- Lower stated power consumption
- Recorded feature support: OpenCL 3.0, CUDA 5.2 · Not supported
Reasons to consider GTX 280
- Higher catalog value index
- Recorded feature support: OpenCL 1.1, CUDA 1.3 · Not supported
Catalog metrics radar
Axes with missing data are hidden; every value uses a fixed scale.
NVIDIAPerformance
Efficiency
Price / performance
Memory capacity
3631
8344
66100
5643
Graphics card ranking
Positions 148–153of 321
Which should you choose?
Two practical conclusions based on community votes and gaming value.
GeForce GTX 280
141 likesHead to Head visitors currently choose this model more often.
Overview
Scores are calculated from specifications, performance, and efficiency.
GamesDirectX, OpenCL, and Vulkan performance
36Better
31
Professional applications3D modeling, video editing, and rendering
32Better
29
AI and machine learningMachine-learning and AI capabilities
30Better
26
Power efficiencyPower consumption across workloads
83Better
44
Head to Head scoreOverall catalog score
45Better
41
Specifications
The better numeric value is highlighted in green, taking the metric direction into account.
DisplayPort
HDMI
Device class
Max monitors
Max resolution
USB Type-C
DirectX
Vulkan
OpenGL
TFLOPSBetter
Power consumptionBetter
Memory type
Power connector
Release date
Architecture
Thickness
Compute API
Launch priceBetter
Shader units / coresBetter
Clock speedBetter
Base clockBetter
Boost clockBetter
VRAMBetter
Memory frequencyBetter
Memory busBetter
Memory bandwidthBetter
Interface
Power consumptionBetter
Process nodeBetter
Recommended PSUBetter
Length
Die sizeBetter
Memory cacheBetter
Transistor countBetter
Upscaling
Gaming FPS
Available results are shown separately; missing data is not treated as zero.
The Gaming FPS section compares GTX 970 and GTX 280 across curated H2H Lab game presets. The useful signal is not only average FPS, but also how each device behaves at 1440p and 4K, how memory capacity and bus width affect heavy textures, and whether the game engine favors raster performance, ray tracing, or driver maturity.
GTX 970GTX 280
Verified externalEstimatedSources ↗
Counter-Strike 2
1080p High
182 FPS
152 FPS
1080p Ultra
128 FPS
107 FPS
1440p Ultra
71 FPS
60 FPS
4K Ultra
24 FPS
23 FPS
Counter-Strike 2GTX 970182 FPSGTX 280152 FPSGTX 970128 FPSGTX 280107 FPSGTX 97071 FPSGTX 28060 FPSGTX 97024 FPSGTX 28023 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077GTX 970118 FPSGTX 28098 FPSGTX 970101 FPSGTX 28085 FPSGTX 97052 FPSGTX 28043 FPSGTX 97016 FPSGTX 28015 FPS
Forza Horizon 5GTX 970148 FPSGTX 280124 FPSGTX 97096 FPSGTX 28080 FPSGTX 97064 FPSGTX 28054 FPSGTX 97036 FPSGTX 28033 FPS
Hogwarts LegacyGTX 97096 FPSGTX 28080 FPSGTX 97080 FPSGTX 28067 FPSGTX 97046 FPSGTX 28039 FPSGTX 97017 FPSGTX 28015 FPS
H2H workload indices
Comparable internal indices on a fixed 0–100 scale.
H2H Raster IndexH2H Index / 100363115%
H2H Compute IndexH2H Index / 100393123%
H2H Rendering IndexH2H Index / 100423421%
H2H Memory Workload IndexH2H Index / 100564326%
H2H Efficiency IndexH2H Index / 100834461%
These are versioned H2H calculated indices derived from normalized catalog data. They are not results from a third-party benchmark.
H2H AI workload indices
Estimated workload profiles based on available performance and memory data.
H2H Image Generation IndexH2H Index / 100453622%
H2H ML Training IndexH2H Index / 100443620%
H2H Inference IndexH2H Index / 100423421%
H2H Local LLM IndexH2H Index / 100473821%
H2H Computer Vision IndexH2H Index / 100423518%
These are versioned H2H calculated indices derived from normalized catalog data. They are not results from a third-party benchmark.
Graphics APIs, SDKs and upscaling
DirectX12.110.0
Vulkan1.4Not supported
OpenGL4.63.3
UpscalingNot supportedNot supported
Compute APIOpenCL 3.0, CUDA 5.2OpenCL 1.1, CUDA 1.3
Architecture and release
ArchitectureMaxwell 2.0Tesla 2.0
Process node28 nmBetter65 nm
Release date20142008
Device classDesktopDesktop
GPU cores, die and clocks
Transistor count5200 millionBetter1400 million
Die size398 mm²Better576 mm²
Shader units / cores1664Better240
Base clock1050 MHzBetter602 MHz
Boost clock1178 MHzBetter602 MHz
Board size, power and compatibility
InterfacePCIe 3x16PCIe 2x16
Length267 mm267 mm
ThicknessDual-slotDual-slot
Recommended PSU300 WBetter550 W
Power connector6+6 pin6+8 pin
Display outputs and limits
HDMIHDMI 2.0Board dependent
DisplayPortDisplayPort 1.2Board dependent
USB Type-CNoNo
Max monitors53
Max resolution7680 × 43202560 × 1600
Memory and compute throughput
VRAM4 GB GDDR5Better1 GB GDDR3
Memory typeGDDR5GDDR3
Memory bus256 bit512 bitBetter
TFLOPS3.92Better0.622
Other comparisons
Reviews and questions
Explain this comparison
Beyond percentages: causes, relevant specifications, and practical impact behind every chart.
What AI will explain
Overall score, radar, FPS, synthetic tests, specifications, efficiency, and value.
Evidence details
Data coverage
- Verified gaming results
- 0
- Verified synthetic results
- 0
- Games with verified results
- 0
- Verified community results
- 0
- Estimated / unverified results
- 32
- Specifications
- 0 / 70
Calculated scores · How is this calculated?
Scores use the catalog model and may include estimated inputs. Open each score to see its origin and the methodology.
clamp(round(performance × 0.7 + (efficiency ?? 50) × 0.2 + (value is missing ? 0 : (value − 50) × 0.2)), 0, 100)Price evidence · View sources (4)
Verified community results
No verified community benchmarks yet.
Reviewed by
No individual editorial review is recorded for this comparison.
Comparison history
Show recorded changes (5)
- · Record updated: products
- · Record updated: products
- · Record changed: product_prices
- · Record updated: products
- · Record updated: products
Why you can trust this comparison
Origin and confidence are evaluated from the evidence attached to each value. Unverified results are identified, and specification, benchmark and price dates remain separate.
Owner experiences
Real builds, results, and community feedback.
Moderator reviewedHelpful to the communityExpert badges
Frequently asked comparison questions
Short recommendations based on performance, memory, power consumption, and intended use.
01Which is better for gaming: GTX 970 or GTX 280?+
GTX 970 has the higher overall gaming score, while GTX 280 offers the better price-to-performance ratio. The final choice depends on resolution and settings.
02Which is better for streaming?+
GTX 970 is the stronger streaming choice thanks to performance, hardware encoding, and application support. Check AV1, H.264, and HEVC support before buying.
03Which is better for Blender?+
GTX 970 is generally the better option for Blender and GPU rendering. Rendering-engine support and available VRAM also matter.
04Which is better for video editing?+
GTX 970 offers more overall performance, while GTX 970 offers more memory headroom. Codecs, hardware encoders, and editor optimization can change the result.
05Which is better for neural networks and AI?+
GTX 970 is the more practical option for local AI workloads. VRAM capacity, compute libraries, and framework compatibility are especially important.
06Which is better for 1080p?+
GTX 280 is the most rational 1080p choice, where high frame rates and cost per frame matter most.
07Which is better for 1440p?+
GTX 970 leads in combined 1440p performance. GTX 970 can be preferable for heavy textures and games with high VRAM usage.
08Which is better for 4K?+
GTX 970 is preferable for 4K, where total performance, memory bandwidth, and VRAM capacity have the greatest impact.
09Which is better for a quiet PC?+
GTX 970 is easier to use in a quiet build because of its lower estimated power and thermal load. Actual noise depends on the specific cooler.
10Which is better without replacing the power supply?+
GTX 970 is the safer candidate because its stated power consumption is lower. Verify PSU wattage, age, and power connectors.
11Is it worth upgrading from the previous generation?+
Consider upgrading to GTX 970 if your current device no longer delivers the required FPS, memory capacity, or feature support. A gain below 15–20% is usually worth waiting for a price cut.