GeForce 310 vs GeForce 8600 GT

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 310 vs GeForce 8600 GT 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 310 vs GeForce 8600 GT: 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 310

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $114 less on MSRP ($45 MSRP vs $159 MSRP).
✅Delivers 260.9% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 3.2 vs 0.9 G3D/$ ($45 MSRP vs $159 MSRP).
✅Draws 33W instead of 150W, a 117W reduction.
✅Measures 168mm instead of 173mm, a 5mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce 8600 GT across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 512 MB vs 1 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2015 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

GeForce 8600 GT

2008

Why buy it

✅2.8% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (1 GB vs 512 MB).

Trade-offs

❌2008 hardware with 1 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌
253.3% HIGHER MSRP
$159 MSRPvs$45 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.9 vs 3.2 G3D/$ ($159 MSRP vs $45 MSRP).
❌354.5% higher power demand at 150W vs 33W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce 8600 GT is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 2.8% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce 310 instead at 143 vs 140, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.

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

GeForce 310 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 28nm process instead of 65nm and a newer 2015 generation instead of 2008. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce 310 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $114 cheaper on MSRP at $45 vs $159, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 260.9% (3.2 vs 0.9), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce 8600 GT still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce 310 vs GeForce 8600 GT Technical Specifications

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

GeForce 310

The GeForce 310 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: 143 points.

GeForce 8600 GT

The GeForce 8600 GT is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 15 2008. It features the G9x architecture. The core clock speed is 500 MHz. It has 224 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 65 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 140 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce 310 scores 143 and the GeForce 8600 GT reaches 140 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 310 is built on Maxwell while the GeForce 8600 GT uses G9x, both on 28 nm vs 65 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 310) vs 224 (GeForce 8600 GT).

Feature	GeForce 310	GeForce 8600 GT
G3D Mark Score	143+2%	140
Architecture	Maxwell	G9x
Process Node	28 nm	65 nm
Shading Units	384+71%	224

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce 310	GeForce 8600 GT
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 310 has 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce 8600 GT carries 1 GB. GeForce 8600 GT gives you 100% 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 310 and 64-bit on the GeForce 8600 GT.

Feature	GeForce 310	GeForce 8600 GT
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	1 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit+100%	64-bit

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 10.1 (GeForce 310) vs 10.0 (GeForce 8600 GT). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce 310	GeForce 8600 GT
DirectX	10.1	10.0
OpenGL	3.3	3.3
Max Displays	2	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (GeForce 310) vs No (GeForce 8600 GT). Decoder: PureVideo VP4 vs PureVideo HD VP2. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 Part 2 (GeForce 310) vs MPEG-2,H.264 (GeForce 8600 GT).

Feature	GeForce 310	GeForce 8600 GT
Encoder	None	No
Decoder	PureVideo VP4	PureVideo HD VP2
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 Part 2	MPEG-2,H.264

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 310 draws 33W versus the GeForce 8600 GT's 150W — a 127.9% difference. The GeForce 310 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 310) vs 350W (GeForce 8600 GT). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy. Card length: 168mm vs 173mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce 310	GeForce 8600 GT
TDP	33W-78%	150W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	Legacy
Length	168mm	173mm
Height	69mm	111mm
Slots	1	1
Temp (Load)	80°C	80°C
Perf/Watt	4.3+378%	0.9

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce 310 came in at $45, while the GeForce 8600 GT launched at $159. On MSRP, GeForce 310 was 71.7% cheaper ($114 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 3.2 (GeForce 310) vs 0.9 (GeForce 8600 GT) — the GeForce 310 offers 255.6% better value. The newer card here is GeForce 310 (2015 vs 2008).

Feature	GeForce 310	GeForce 8600 GT
MSRP	$45-72%	$159
Performance per Dollar	3.2+256%	0.9
Codename	GM108	NB9E-GTX
Release	March 13 2015	July 15 2008
Ranking	#810	#825

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