GeForce 315 vs GeForce GT 120

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 315 vs GeForce GT 120 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 315 vs GeForce GT 120: 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 315

2020

Why buy it

✅1.1% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅GeForce GT 120 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce 315 is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 20W instead of 30W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌2020 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 1.9 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $100 MSRP).

GeForce GT 120

2017

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 1.9 vs 0 G3D/$ ($100 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce 315 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌2017 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌50% higher power demand at 30W vs 20W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce 315 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 1.1% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 4.3% in PassMark G3D (196 vs 188), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce 315 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a newer 2020 generation instead of 2017. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce GT 120 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 GT 120 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce 315 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce 315 vs GeForce GT 120 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce 315

The GeForce 315 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 10 2020. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 747 MHz to 937 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 20W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 196 points.

GeForce GT 120

The GeForce GT 120 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 17 2017. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1228 MHz to 1468 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 188 points. Launch price was $79.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce 315 scores 196 and the GeForce GT 120 reaches 188 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 4.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 315 is built on Pascal while the GeForce GT 120 uses Pascal, both on a 14 nm process. Shader units: 640 (GeForce 315) vs 384 (GeForce GT 120). Raw compute: 1.199 TFLOPS (GeForce 315) vs 1.127 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 120). Boost clocks: 937 MHz vs 1468 MHz.

Feature	GeForce 315	GeForce GT 120
G3D Mark Score	196+4%	188
Architecture	Pascal	Pascal
Process Node	14 nm	14 nm
Shading Units	640+67%	384
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.199 TFLOPS+6%	1.127 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	937 MHz	1468 MHz+57%
ROPs	16	16
TMUs	32+33%	24
L1 Cache	240 KB+67%	144 KB
L2 Cache	512 KB	512 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce 315	GeForce GT 120
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)

Both cards ship with 512 MB of GDDR5. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce 315 and 64-bit on the GeForce GT 120.

Feature	GeForce 315	GeForce GT 120
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	0.5 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit+100%	64-bit
L2 Cache	512 KB	512 KB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 10.1 (GeForce 315) vs 10.0 (GeForce GT 120). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce 315	GeForce GT 120
DirectX	10.1	10.0
OpenGL	3.3	3.3
Max Displays	2	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (GeForce 315) vs No (GeForce GT 120). Decoder: PureVideo VP4 vs PureVideo HD VP3. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 Part 2 (GeForce 315) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (GeForce GT 120).

Feature	GeForce 315	GeForce GT 120
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

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 315 draws 20W versus the GeForce GT 120's 30W — a 40% difference. The GeForce 315 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 315) vs 350W (GeForce GT 120). Power connectors: Legacy vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 168mm vs 168mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 65°C.

Feature	GeForce 315	GeForce GT 120
TDP	20W-33%	30W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	PCIe-powered
Length	168mm	168mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	1	1
Temp (Load)	80°C	65°C-19%
Perf/Watt	9.8+56%	6.3

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce 315 came in at $0, while the GeForce GT 120 launched at $100. On MSRP, GeForce 315 was 100+% cheaper ($100 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): Infinity (GeForce 315) vs 1.9 (GeForce GT 120) — the GeForce 315 offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is GeForce 315 (2020 vs 2017).

Feature	GeForce 315	GeForce GT 120
MSRP	$0-100%	$100
Performance per Dollar	Infinity	1.9
Codename	GP107	GP108
Release	February 10 2020	May 17 2017
Ranking	#597	#641

Search GeForce 315 on Amazon

Search GeForce GT 120 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.