GeForce GTX 1050 vs Radeon R9 280

Speed and memory

The GeForce GTX 1050 and the Radeon R9 280 are within a few percent of each other for gaming in our model, so you will not see a difference in play.

The GeForce GTX 1050 has 2 GB of video memory and the Radeon R9 280 has 3 GB. That difference matters at 1440p and in new games at High textures, and it can outweigh a small speed advantage as the card ages.

In our estimates for popular games at 1080p on High, the biggest gap is in Red Dead Redemption 2 (10 against 13 fps), and the smallest is in Red Dead Redemption 2 (10 against 13 fps). Games that are light enough to run above 200 fps on both cards show little difference at all.

Power and value

The GeForce GTX 1050 is rated at 75 W and the Radeon R9 280 at 250 W. With a mid-range processor that means a power supply of about 450 W for the first and 650 W for the second. A gap of 175 W shows up in heat and fan noise, and in your electricity use over a few years.

At launch the GeForce GTX 1050 cost $109 and the Radeon R9 280 $279. Per dollar, the GeForce GTX 1050 gave more performance (4.1 points per $100 against 1.6). Current prices differ, so run the same sum on what you can actually buy today.

Which one to buy

Choose the GeForce GTX 1050 if you want the faster card, and you can accept 2 GB of memory. It makes the most sense at 1440p and above, or on a monitor with a high refresh rate.

Choose the Radeon R9 280 if the price gap matters more than the small speed difference, and you value the extra video memory. Whichever you pick, check reviews for the games you play, because two cards with similar scores can differ in individual titles.