GeForce 310M vs GeForce 9600M GS

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 310M vs GeForce 9600M GS 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 310M vs GeForce 9600M GS: 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 310M

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 33W instead of 150W, a 117W reduction.
✅More future proof: Maxwell (2014−2017) on 28nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce 9600M GS 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.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 1.9 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $70 MSRP).

GeForce 9600M GS

2008

Why buy it

✅2.8% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 1.9 vs 0 G3D/$ ($70 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅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.
❌354.5% higher power demand at 150W vs 33W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce 9600M GS 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 and by 3.1% in PassMark G3D (131 vs 127), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce 310M 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 9600M GS makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce 9600M GS is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce 310M has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce 310M vs GeForce 9600M GS Technical Specifications

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

GeForce 310M

The GeForce 310M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 549 MHz to 549 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 127 points.

GeForce 9600M GS

The GeForce 9600M GS 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: 131 points.

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Graphics Performance

The GeForce 310M scores 127 and the GeForce 9600M GS reaches 131 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 310M is built on Maxwell while the GeForce 9600M GS uses G9x, both on 28 nm vs 65 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 310M) vs 224 (GeForce 9600M GS).

Feature	GeForce 310M	GeForce 9600M GS
G3D Mark Score	127	131+3%
Architecture	Maxwell	G9x
Process Node	28 nm	65 nm
Shading Units	384+71%	224

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce 310M	GeForce 9600M GS
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce 310M has 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce 9600M GS carries 1 GB. GeForce 9600M GS 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 310M and 64-bit on the GeForce 9600M GS.

Feature	GeForce 310M	GeForce 9600M GS
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	1 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit+100%	64-bit

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Display & API Support

DirectX support: 10.1 (GeForce 310M) vs 10.0 (GeForce 9600M GS). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 1.

Feature	GeForce 310M	GeForce 9600M GS
DirectX	10.1	10.0
OpenGL	3.3	3.3
Max Displays	2+100%	1

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (GeForce 310M) vs No (GeForce 9600M GS). Decoder: PureVideo VP4 vs PureVideo HD VP3. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 Part 2 (GeForce 310M) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (GeForce 9600M GS).

Feature	GeForce 310M	GeForce 9600M GS
Encoder	None	No
Decoder	PureVideo VP4	PureVideo HD VP3
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 Part 2	MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 310M draws 33W versus the GeForce 9600M GS's 150W — a 127.9% difference. The GeForce 310M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 310M) vs 350W (GeForce 9600M GS). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 85°C.

Feature	GeForce 310M	GeForce 9600M GS
TDP	33W-78%	150W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	Legacy
Length	—	0mm
Height	—	0mm
Slots	1	0-100%
Temp (Load)	80°C-6%	85°C
Perf/Watt	3.8+322%	0.9

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Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce 310M (2015 vs 2008).

Feature	GeForce 310M	GeForce 9600M GS
MSRP	—	$70
Codename	GM108	NB9E-GTX
Release	March 13 2015	July 15 2008
Ranking	#880	#825

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