The GTX 280 features 1024 MB, GDDR3 RAM (512 bit bus) and supports the DirectX 10. The standard frequences are: 602 MHz for the GPU, 1296 MHz for the shaders and 2214 MHz for the memory. The overclocked version takes those frequences to 650 MHz for the GPU, 1400 MHZ for the memory and 2300 Mhz for the shaders. Overclocking the card brings a 5.8% enhancement, in average.

As for general performance, the GeForce GTX 280 is the fastest card we tested so far. Between the GTX 260 and the GTX 280, the differences are only of 8.7%, which doesn’t exactly justify the price difference. The pressure coming the Radeon HD4870 competition has forced nVidia to lower the initial price for the GXT 280.

Even though the GTX 280 has the same lenght of its lower model, the GTX 269, and higher clock frequences, it doesn’t produce more noise. In 3D mode, the temperature reaches the 53 °C, but the fan only produces 37.7 db(A). If the GPU is kept cooled, the fan remains silent.

The GTX 280 substantially lowers its clock frequency in 2D mode, which makes it better than the HD 4850 on this aspect. As soon as it leaves the 3D mode, it goes on its low-performance 2D mode (400 Mhz on the GPU, 800MHz for shaders and 600Mhz for the memory) and the whole system only uses 130 watt. After a few minutes in idle mode, the clock frequences go even lower (still in 2D mode), to 300 MHz for the GPU, 600 MHz for the shaders and 200 MHz for the memory, and the general power usage goes down to 117 watt. On a maximum usage situation, the GTX 280 uses 352 watt. New Nvidia Cards November 2008.