GeForce 256 vs MOBILITY/RADEON 9000

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. The GeForce 256 is positioned at rank #750 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce 256

#737

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

361900%

#739

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

328067%

#740

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

327200%

#744

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

297533%

#745

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

295500%

#747

GeForce2 MX/MX 400

MSRP: $129|Avg: $15

100%

#748

GeForce4 MX 440

MSRP: $149|Avg: $49

100%

#749

RADEON 7200

MSRP: $99|Avg: $45

100%

#750

GeForce 256

MSRP: $199|Avg: $20

100%

#751

GeForce2 MX

MSRP: $129|Avg: $49

67%

#752

GeForce4 440

MSRP: $469|Avg: $49

33%

#753

GeForce3

MSRP: $499|Avg: $49

33%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce 256 is significantly newer (2019 vs 2010). The GeForce 256 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The MOBILITY/RADEON 9000 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce 256 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 25% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the MOBILITY/RADEON 9000.

Insight	GeForce 256	MOBILITY/RADEON 9000
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+25%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-25%)
Longevity	Pascal (2016−2021) (14nm)	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / TeraScale 2 (2009−2015))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	—

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce 256 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $20 versus $49 for the MOBILITY/RADEON 9000, it costs 59% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 206.3% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce 256	MOBILITY/RADEON 9000
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+206.3%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($20)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($49)

Performance Check

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

GeForce 256 Benchmark Check

MOBILITY/RADEON 9000 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce 256 and MOBILITY/RADEON 9000

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.

MOBILITY/RADEON 9000

The MOBILITY/RADEON 9000 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 7 2010. It features the TeraScale 2 architecture. The core clock speed is 700 MHz. It has 800 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 10W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce 256 scores 5 versus the MOBILITY/RADEON 9000's 4 — the GeForce 256 leads by 25%. The GeForce 256 is built on Pascal while the MOBILITY/RADEON 9000 uses TeraScale 2, both on 14 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 256) vs 800 (MOBILITY/RADEON 9000). Raw compute: 0.7972 TFLOPS (GeForce 256) vs 1.12 TFLOPS (MOBILITY/RADEON 9000).

Feature	GeForce 256	MOBILITY/RADEON 9000
G3D Mark Score	5+25%	4
Architecture	Pascal	TeraScale 2
Process Node	14 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	384	800+108%
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.7972 TFLOPS	1.12 TFLOPS+40%
ROPs	16	16
TMUs	24	40+67%
L1 Cache	144 KB+80%	80 KB
L2 Cache	512 KB+100%	256 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce 256	MOBILITY/RADEON 9000
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 512 MB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 512 KB (GeForce 256) vs 256 KB (MOBILITY/RADEON 9000) — the GeForce 256 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce 256	MOBILITY/RADEON 9000
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	0.5 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	128-bit+100%	64-bit
L2 Cache	512 KB+100%	256 KB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 7.0 (GeForce 256) vs 8.1 (MOBILITY/RADEON 9000). OpenGL: 1.2 vs 1.4. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce 256	MOBILITY/RADEON 9000
DirectX	7.0	8.1+16%
OpenGL	1.2	1.4+17%
Max Displays	1	2+100%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (GeForce 256) vs N/A (MOBILITY/RADEON 9000). Decoder: MPEG-2 Motion Comp vs MPEG-2. Supported codecs: MPEG-2 (GeForce 256) vs MPEG-2 (MOBILITY/RADEON 9000).

Feature	GeForce 256	MOBILITY/RADEON 9000
Encoder	None	N/A
Decoder	MPEG-2 Motion Comp	MPEG-2
Codecs	MPEG-2	MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 256 draws 10W versus the MOBILITY/RADEON 9000's 10W — a 0% difference. The MOBILITY/RADEON 9000 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 256) vs 0W (MOBILITY/RADEON 9000). Power connectors: Legacy vs None. Card length: 165mm vs 0mm, occupying 1 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 60°C vs 70.

Feature	GeForce 256	MOBILITY/RADEON 9000
TDP	10W	10W
Recommended PSU	350W	0W-100%
Power Connector	Legacy	None
Length	165mm	0mm
Height	100mm	0mm
Slots	1	0-100%
Temp (Load)	60°C-14%	70
Perf/Watt	0.5+25%	0.4

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce 256 launched at $199 MSRP and currently averages $20, while the MOBILITY/RADEON 9000 launched at $0 and now averages $49. The GeForce 256 costs 59.2% less ($29 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 0.3 (GeForce 256) vs 0.1 (MOBILITY/RADEON 9000) — the GeForce 256 offers 200% better value. The GeForce 256 is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2010).