GeForce 256 vs GeForce 6200A

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

GeForce 256 vs GeForce 6200A FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce 256 vs GeForce 6200A: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce 256

2019

Why buy it

✅+25% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 0.0 vs 0 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (512 MB vs 128 MB).
✅GeForce 6200A is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce 256 is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 10W instead of 33W, a 23W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌2019 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.

GeForce 6200A

2015

Why buy it

✅Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (4 vs 5).
❌Less VRAM, with 128 MB vs 512 MB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2015 hardware with 128 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 0.0 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌230% higher power demand at 33W vs 10W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce 256 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 25% in PassMark G3D (5 vs 4), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce 256 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 512 MB vs 128 MB of VRAM, a 14nm process instead of 28nm, and a newer 2019 generation instead of 2015. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce 256 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce 256 vs GeForce 6200A Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

GeForce 256

The GeForce 256 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 20 2019. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 937 MHz to 1038 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 10W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5 points.

GeForce 6200A

The GeForce 6200A is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 928 MHz to 941 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce 256 scores 5 versus the GeForce 6200A's 4 — the GeForce 256 leads by 25%. The GeForce 256 is built on Pascal while the GeForce 6200A uses Maxwell, both on 14 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 256) vs 384 (GeForce 6200A). Raw compute: 0.7972 TFLOPS (GeForce 256) vs 0.7227 TFLOPS (GeForce 6200A). Boost clocks: 1038 MHz vs 941 MHz.

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce 6200A
G3D Mark Score	5+25%	4
Architecture	Pascal	Maxwell
Process Node	14 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	384	384
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.7972 TFLOPS+10%	0.7227 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1038 MHz+10%	941 MHz
ROPs	16+100%	8
TMUs	24	24
L1 Cache	144 KB	192 KB+33%
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	1 MB+100%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce 6200A
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce 256 has 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce 6200A carries 128 MB. GeForce 256 gives you 300% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce 256 and 128-bit on the GeForce 6200A. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (GeForce 256) vs 1 MB (GeForce 6200A) — the GeForce 6200A has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce 6200A
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB+300%	0.125 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	1 MB+100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 7.0 (GeForce 256) vs 9.0c (GeForce 6200A). OpenGL: 1.2 vs 2.1. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce 6200A
DirectX	7.0	9.0c+29%
OpenGL	1.2	2.1+75%
Max Displays	1	2+100%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (GeForce 256) vs No (GeForce 6200A). Decoder: MPEG-2 Motion Comp vs PureVideo. Supported codecs: MPEG-2 (GeForce 256) vs MPEG-2 (GeForce 6200A).

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce 6200A
Encoder	None	No
Decoder	MPEG-2 Motion Comp	PureVideo
Codecs	MPEG-2	MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 256 draws 10W versus the GeForce 6200A's 33W — a 107% difference. The GeForce 256 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 256) vs 350W (GeForce 6200A). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy. Card length: 165mm vs 168mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 60°C vs 65°C.

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce 6200A
TDP	10W-70%	33W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	Legacy
Length	165mm	168mm
Height	100mm	100mm
Slots	1	1
Temp (Load)	60°C-8%	65°C
Perf/Watt	0.5+400%	0.1

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce 256 came in at $199, while the GeForce 6200A launched at $0. On MSRP, GeForce 6200A was 100+% cheaper ($199 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.0 (GeForce 256) vs Infinity (GeForce 6200A) — the GeForce 6200A offers 100+% better value. The newer card here is GeForce 256 (2019 vs 2015).

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce 6200A
MSRP	$199	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	0.0	Infinity
Codename	GP108B	GM108
Release	February 20 2019	March 13 2015
Ranking	#643	#810

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