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GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£260
  • Avg. price in US: ~$300
  • VRAM: 3 GB
  • Memory bus width: 384 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 250 W

GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 review. Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among graphics cards and if it is worth buying.

4.3

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the graphics card's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best graphics cards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

4.0

Technical Score

10.0%

7.1

User score

Poor
4.0

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

2.2

Performance

24.0%

3.7

Memory

12.0%

8.4

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.0

Platform & Features

5.0%

6.8

Design

4.0%

6.6

Connectivity & Media

Poor
7.1

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.0

User reviews

30.0%

5.1

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.9
(58)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(70)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Very good
  • 3.3
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    1.3

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.3

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.6
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    ?

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    1.3

    VRAM

    20.0%

    1.3

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.6
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    1.3

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.3

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.6
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    1.3

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    1.3

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 3.0
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    1.3

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    1.3

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

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Best rankings

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Gigabyte R9 280X Windforce 3X OC Rev 2 is a high-performance graphics card built on the Tahiti XTL architecture, featuring 2048 stream processors, 3GB of GDDR5 memory, and a 384-bit memory interface. Factory overclocked to a 1000 MHz base and 1100 MHz boost clock, it utilizes the Windforce 3X cooling system with 'Triangle Cool' technology and three direct-touch 8mm heat pipes for effective thermal management. Its main pros include superior heat dissipation, a quiet operational profile compared to reference models, and a durable design with dual BIOS support. However, cons include a high 250W power draw requiring both 6-pin and 8-pin connectors, a long 285mm physical footprint that may challenge smaller cases, and limited additional overclocking headroom due to the aggressive factory settings.

Technical Specifications of GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

2.2

Performance

24.0%

3.7

Memory

12.0%

8.4

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.0

Platform & Features

5.0%

6.8

Design

4.0%

6.6

Connectivity & Media

4.0
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a technical score of 4 points, which is lower than that of 89.7% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.0

User reviews

30.0%

5.1

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.9
(58)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(70)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

7.1
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a user score of 7.14 points, which is lower than that of 90% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
5.1
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a popularity of 5.1 points, which is higher than 62% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

4.3

Overall score

40.0%

9.2

Price

5.8
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.8 points, which is lower than 86.1% of products in this category.
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Time Spy, a synthetic DirectX 12 test often used as a quick gaming-performance reference.
When it matters: When you need a fast rough performance sort before digging into game-specific reviews and frame-rate data.

Importance: LOW

?
3DMark Port Royal score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Port Royal, a synthetic test focused on ray tracing performance.
When it matters: When ray tracing matters in the games you actually play and you want one quick way to separate stronger and weaker RT cards.

Importance: LOW

N/A
PassMark (G3D) result
What it is: Overall GPU performance score in PassMark G3D benchmark
When it matters: When you need one broad score to sort cards into rough performance tiers.

Importance: LOW

5,118 points
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 scores 5118 points in PassMark G3D, which is lower than 68.1% of graphics cards.
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
What it is: PassMark score for DirectCompute performance tests
When it matters: When compute workloads matter alongside gaming performance.

Importance: LOW

?
Floating-point performance
What it is: Theoretical floating-point compute performance of the GPU.
When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

Importance: LOW

4.506 TFLOPS
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 delivers 4.506 TFLOPS floating-point performance, which is lower than that of 91.1% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.1% of graphics cards.
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VRAM
What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

Importance: HIGH

3 GB
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has 3 GB of VRAM, which is less than 94% of graphics cards and equal to 0.5% of graphics cards.
Memory type
What it is: Type of graphics memory used (GDDR6, HBM2e, etc.)
When it matters: When memory technology is part of the buying decision because it affects bandwidth class, power use, and product positioning.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
GDDR version
What it is: Generation of GDDR memory used by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you want to separate older memory generations from newer ones before comparing bandwidth, power behavior, and market tier.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 uses GDDR5 memory, which is older than on 85% of graphics cards and equal to 13.2% of graphics cards.
Memory bus width
What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

Importance: HIGH

384 bit
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 uses a 384 bit memory bus, which is wider than that of 89.3% of graphics cards and equal to that of 7.3% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

Importance: HIGH

288 GB/s
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 reaches 288 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 69.7% of graphics cards and equal to that of 7% of graphics cards.
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PCI Express (PCIe) version
What it is: Version of PCI Express interface supported
When it matters: When you are pairing the card with an older motherboard and want to avoid leaving bandwidth or future compatibility on the table.

Importance: LOW

3.0
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports PCIe 3.0, which is older than on 77.6% of graphics cards and equal to 20.3% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
What it is: Number of PCI Express lanes used for communication
When it matters: When limited lane width could bottleneck the card in some systems.

Importance: LOW

x16
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 uses x16 PCIe lanes, which is more than 31.5% of graphics cards and equal to 68.6% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
What it is: Highest supported DirectX API version
When it matters: When you play newer Windows games that depend on the latest graphics features.

Importance: LOW

?
Vulkan version
What it is: Highest supported Vulkan API version
When it matters: When modern games, emulators, or creative apps lean on Vulkan support.

Importance: LOW

1.2
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports Vulkan 1.2, which is older than on 96% of graphics cards and equal to 2.5% of graphics cards.
OpenGL version
What it is: Highest supported OpenGL API version
When it matters: When older games or pro apps still depend on OpenGL compatibility.

Importance: LOW

4.6
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 4.8% of graphics cards and equal to 95.2% of graphics cards.
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Max displays supported
What it is: Total number of external displays supported simultaneously
When it matters: When you run a multi-monitor desk for sim racing, trading, or editing.

Importance: LOW

4
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports up to 4 displays, which is more than 7.8% of graphics cards and equal to 89.2% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
What it is: Maximum supported digital display resolution
When it matters: When you plan to drive 4K or 8K panels at their native resolution.

Importance: LOW

4096x2160
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports a maximum digital resolution of 4096x2160, which is lower than that of 56.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.4% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort outputs
What it is: Number of DisplayPort video outputs
When it matters: When your setup needs several high-refresh monitors without adapters.

Importance: LOW

2
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 offers 2 DisplayPort outputs, which is fewer than 79.2% of graphics cards and equal to 10.2% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
What it is: Version of DisplayPort standard supported
When it matters: When your monitor setup depends on newer DisplayPort features for higher refresh rates, higher resolution, or better cable flexibility.

Importance: LOW

1.2
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports DisplayPort 1.2, which is older than on 93.6% of graphics cards and equal to 4.8% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
What it is: Supported data link rates for DisplayPort connections
When it matters: When you are pushing high resolution and refresh rate over DisplayPort.

Importance: LOW

5.4 Gbps
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports DisplayPort link rates up to 5.4 Gbps, which is slower than on 90.9% of graphics cards and equal to 8% of graphics cards.
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Thermal Design Power (TDP)
What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

Importance: MEDIUM

250 W
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a TDP of 250 W, which is higher than that of 58.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 6.1% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
What it is: Peak power draw of the graphics card under maximum load.
When it matters: When transient-heavy gaming loads could stress your power supply.

Importance: LOW

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Recommended PSU wattage
What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

Importance: LOW

600 W
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 recommends a 600 W PSU, which is lower than that of 55.7% of graphics cards and equal to that of 7.5% of graphics cards.
Board power limit
What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

Importance: LOW

?
PCIe power spec
What it is: PCIe power delivery specification followed
When it matters: When you are checking whether the slot and external cables match the card's intended power-delivery standard.

Importance: LOW

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Size
What it is: Physical size of the GPU card
When it matters: When you need the card to fit a compact case without blocking nearby hardware.

Importance: LOW

285 x 126 x 38 mm
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 measures 285x126 x 38 mm, which is more compact than 95.3% of graphics cards.
Length
What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

Importance: LOW

285 mm
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 is 285 mm long, which is shorter than 50.1% of graphics cards and equal in length to 0.4% of graphics cards.
Height
What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

Importance: LOW

?
Slot width
What it is: Number of PCIe slots occupied by the card
When it matters: When you need room for another PCIe card or better airflow under the GPU.

Importance: LOW

2 slot/s
GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 occupies 2 slot/s, which is slimmer than 49.2% of graphics cards and equal in width to 47.3% of graphics cards.
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the graphics card
When it matters: When sag, bracket support, or shipping stress matters in your build.

Importance: LOW

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GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 vs the average graphics card

  • 128 bit wider memory bus
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (384 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
    What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
    When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (384 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.384 bit vs 256 bit
  • 24x larger L2 cache
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (768 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
    What it is: Total size of the GPU’s L2 cache memory
    When it matters: When cache size can help the GPU feed data faster in demanding scenes.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (768 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.768 MB vs 32 MB
  • Includes dual BIOS
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 includes dual BIOS, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Includes dual BIOS for redundancy or overclocking profiles
    When it matters: When you want a safer recovery path after tweaking fan curves or overclock settings, or you need separate quiet and performance profiles.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 includes dual BIOS, the average graphics card does not.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
    What it is: Number of DVI display outputs available
    When it matters: When you still use an older monitor that depends on DVI.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.1 vs 0
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA SLI or AMD CrossFire multi-GPU setup
    When it matters: When you still run legacy multi-GPU gaming or rendering workflows.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 7.7% lower PSU requirement
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (600 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
    What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
    When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (600 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.600 W vs 650 W
  • Supports NVLink
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA NVLink or bridge connection for multi-GPU setups
    When it matters: When a professional or niche multi-GPU workflow needs a bridge connection.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • 2.42x higher FP64 performance
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a higher FP64 performance than the average graphics card (1.1 TFLOPS vs 0.4651 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP64 performance of 0.4651 TFLOPS.
    What it is: Double-precision floating-point performance in TFLOPs
    When it matters: When scientific or engineering workloads depend on real double-precision speed.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a higher FP64 performance than the average graphics card (1.1 TFLOPS vs 0.4651 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP64 performance of 0.4651 TFLOPS.1.1264 TFLOPS vs 0.4651 TFLOPS
  • 2.42x higher FP64 performance
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a higher FP64 performance than the average graphics card (1.1 TFLOPS vs 0.4651 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP64 performance of 0.4651 TFLOPS.
  • 128 bit wider memory bus
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (384 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
  • 24x larger L2 cache
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (768 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • Supports NVLink
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • Includes dual BIOS
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 includes dual BIOS, the average graphics card does not.
  • 7.7% lower PSU requirement
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (600 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.

Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
  • 56% lower boost clock speed
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,100 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
  • 47.9% lower base clock speed
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,000 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 62.6% lower texture rate
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (140.8 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 32 fewer ROPs
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (32 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 56 fewer TMUs
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (128 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 8 fewer compute units
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (32 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 55.1% lower PassMark score
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower PassMark score than the average graphics card (5,118 points vs 11,411 points). The average graphics card has a PassMark score of 11,411 points.
  • 80.5% lower compute throughput
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower compute throughput than the average graphics card (4.5 TFLOPS vs 23.105 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has compute throughput of 23.105 TFLOPS.
  • 2,304 fewer FP32 units
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (2,048 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
  • 9 GB less VRAM
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (3 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 68.4% slower memory speed
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (6,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 35.7% lower memory bandwidth
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (288 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • 87.5% smaller L1 cache
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (16 vs 128). The average graphics card has 128 L1 cache.
  • 14.3% slower VRAM clock
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,500 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • 5.6x larger process node
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
  • 10 older
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,013 vs 2,023).
  • Older PCIe version
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • No mesh shaders
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • Older Vulkan version
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports an older Vulkan version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4).
  • Older OpenCL version
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports an older OpenCL version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 3.0).
  • No sampler feedback
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • Older shader model
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports an older shader model than the average graphics card (6.5 vs 6.8).
  • 80.3% fewer transistors
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (4,313 million vs 21,900 million). The average graphics card has 21,900 million transistors.
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 3). The average graphics card has 3 DisplayPort outputs.
  • No AV1 decoding
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older HDMI version
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (1.4 vs 2.1).
  • Older DisplayPort version
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4a).
  • No VRR support
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 does not support VRR, the average graphics card does.
  • Older HDCP version
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 2.3).
  • Lower display resolution
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 supports a lower maximum digital resolution than the average graphics card (4096x2160 vs 7680x4320). The average graphics card supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320.
  • No fan stop
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 does not support fan stop, the average graphics card does.
  • 16.3% higher TDP
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a higher TDP than the average graphics card (250 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 10 dB noisier under load
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a higher load noise level than the average graphics card (45 dB vs 35 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35 dB.
  • 36.8 dB noisier at idle
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a higher idle noise level than the average graphics card (36.8 dB vs 0 dB). The average graphics card has an idle noise level of 0 dB.
  • No backplate
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 does not include a backplate, the average graphics card does.
  • No RGB lighting
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 does not include RGB lighting, the average graphics card does.
  • 56% lower boost clock speed
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,100 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
    What it is: Maximum boost frequency the GPU can reach under load
    When it matters: When you want a rough idea of peak advertised frequency, while knowing real sustained clocks still depend on cooling and power limits.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,100 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.1100 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 5.6x larger process node
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
    What it is: Size of the manufacturing process in nanometers
    When it matters: When process node differences may affect power, heat, and overall efficiency.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.28 nm vs 5 nm
  • 9 GB less VRAM
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (3 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
    When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (3 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.3 GB vs 12 GB
  • 47.9% lower base clock speed
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,000 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
    What it is: Base operating frequency of the GPU core under standard conditions
    When it matters: When you want to understand the card's guaranteed starting frequency instead of looking only at optimistic boost figures.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,000 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.1000 MHz vs 1920 MHz
  • 68.4% slower memory speed
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (6,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
    What it is: Effective memory data rate combining clock and bus width
    When it matters: When you compare how quickly each card can push data through its memory subsystem.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (6,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.6000 MHz vs 19000 MHz
  • 62.6% lower texture rate
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (140.8 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
    What it is: Number of textured pixels the GPU can process per second
    When it matters: When fast texture handling matters in high-refresh gaming workloads.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (140.8 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.140.8 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s
  • 32 fewer ROPs
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (32 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
    What it is: Total number of render output units on the GPU
    When it matters: When you want more context on pixel output capacity, especially for high-resolution play and older raster-heavy engines.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (32 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.32 vs 64
  • No fan stop
    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 does not support fan stop, the average graphics card does.
    What it is: Fans automatically stop when temperature is low
    When it matters: When the PC spends a lot of time at idle and you care about keeping the desktop quiet during browsing, office work, or video playback.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2 does not support fan stop, the average graphics card does.No vs yes
Total
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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
3.9
58 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
70 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2?

  • Effective Windforce 3X cooling system with three fans for low load temperatures
  • Factory overclocked out of the box for better performance than reference designs
  • Revision 2.0 features an improved matte black PCB over the original blue version
  • Includes a Dual BIOS feature for easier recovery and overclocking flexibility
  • Beefed-up VRM design in Rev 2.0 can enhance stability and overclocking potential
  • Excellent value for money, often priced competitively without a premium for the custom cooler

What customers dislike about GIGABYTE R9 280X WINDFORCE 3X OC Rev 2?

  • High power consumption, particularly in non-gaming/idle states due to voltage circuitry
  • Very high fan noise during intensive gaming as fans work hard to dissipate massive heat
  • Significant physical length (approx. 285mm) may not fit in smaller PC cases
  • Reported issues with screen flickering and system instability in some user configurations
  • Limited overclocking potential for the included Elpida memory chips
  • Lacks modern DirectX 12 feature-level support and up-to-date official AMD drivers

Expert reviews

O
overclocking.com
13/07/2014
Cinq Radeon R9 280X testées par Overclocking.com

This hardware review comparison published on Overclocking.com evaluates five distinct custom versions of the AMD Radeon R9 280X graphics card to determine which manufacturer design delivers the best performance and cooling efficiency. The custom variants put to the test include the Asus Direct CUII, the Gigabyte Windforce 3X, the HIS IceQ X², the MSI Gaming (featuring the Twin Frozr...Read more

(Translated)Show original

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