Radeon Pro Vega 16 vs Radeon R9 280X

When comparing Radeon Pro Vega 16 and Radeon R9 280X, we look primarily at benchmarks and game tests. But it is not only about the numbers. Often you can find third-party models with higher clock speeds, better cooling, or a customizable RGB lighting. Not all of them will have all the features you need. Another thing to consider is the port selection. Most graphics cards have at least one DisplayPort and HDMI interface, but some monitors require DVI. Before you buy, check the TDP of the graphics card - this characteristic will help you estimate the consumption of the graphics card. You may even have to upgrade your PSU to meet its requirements. An important factor when choosing between Radeon Pro Vega 16 and Radeon R9 280X is the price. Does the additional cost justify the performance hit? Our comparison should help you make the right decision.

Radeon Pro Vega 16 is a Laptop Graphics Card

Note: Radeon Pro Vega 16 is only used in laptop graphics. It has lower GPU clock speed compared to the desktop variant, which results in lower power consumption, but also 10-30% lower gaming performance. Check available laptop models with Radeon Pro Vega 16 here:

Main Specs

  Radeon Pro Vega 16 Radeon R9 280X
Power consumption (TDP) 75 Watt 250 Watt
Interface PCIe 3.0 x16 PCIe 3.0 x16
Supplementary power connectors 1 x 6-pin + 1 x 8-pin
Memory type HBM2 GDDR5
Maximum RAM amount 4 GB 3 GB
Display Connectors No outputs 2x DVI, 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort
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  • Radeon R9 280X has 233% more power consumption, than Radeon Pro Vega 16.
  • Both video cards are using PCIe 3.0 x16 interface connection to a motherboard.
  • Radeon Pro Vega 16 has 1 GB more memory, than Radeon R9 280X.
  • Radeon Pro Vega 16 is used in Mobile workstations, and Radeon R9 280X - in Desktops.
  • Radeon Pro Vega 16 is build with Vega architecture, and Radeon R9 280X - with GCN.
  • Radeon Pro Vega 16 is manufactured by 14 nm process technology, and Radeon R9 280X - by 28 nm process technology.

Game benchmarks

high / 1080p 24−27 35−40
ultra / 1080p 14−16 21−24
QHD / 1440p 9−10 16−18
4K / 2160p 6−7 10−11
low / 720p 45−50 60−65
medium / 1080p 30−33 40−45
The average gaming FPS of Radeon R9 280X in Assassin's Creed Odyssey is 45% more, than Radeon Pro Vega 16.

Full Specs

  Radeon Pro Vega 16 Radeon R9 280X
Architecture Vega GCN
Code name Vega Mobile Thaiti XTL
Type Mobile workstation Desktop
Release date 15 November 2018 8 October 2013
Pipelines 1024 2048
Boost Clock 1190 MHz 1000 MHz
Transistor count 4,313 million
Manufacturing process technology 14 nm 28 nm
Texture fill rate 76.16 128.0
Floating-point performance 4,096 gflops
Length 275 mm
Memory bus width 1024 Bit 384 Bit
Memory clock speed 2400 MHz
Memory bandwidth 307.2 GB/s 288 GB/s
Shared memory - -
DirectX 12 (12_1)
Shader Model 6.3 5.1
OpenGL 4.6 4.6
OpenCL 2.0 1.2
Vulkan 1.2.131 +
Monero / XMR (CryptoNight) 0.5 kh/s
FreeSync +
Bus support PCIe 3.0
HDMI +
Bitcoin / BTC (SHA256) 494 Mh/s
Laptop size large
Eyefinity +
HD3D +
TrueAudio +
Design reference
DisplayPort support +
CrossFire +
DDMA audio +
Decred / DCR (Decred) 1.07 Gh/s
Ethereum / ETH (DaggerHashimoto) 14.42 Mh/s
Zcash / ZEC (Equihash) 285 Sol/s
AppAcceleration +
LiquidVR +
TressFX +
UVD +
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