GeForce 6100 vs GeForce FX 5900ZT

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. 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

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 6100 is significantly newer (2017 vs 2011). The GeForce 6100 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce FX 5900ZT lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce FX 5900ZT is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 22.2% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce 6100 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

Insight	GeForce 6100	GeForce FX 5900ZT
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-22.2%)	✅Leading raw performance (+22.2%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+300%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	—	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce FX 5900ZT remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.

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 6100 Benchmark Check

GeForce FX 5900ZT Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce 6100 and GeForce FX 5900ZT

GeForce 6100

The GeForce 6100 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: 27 points. Launch price was $79.

GeForce FX 5900ZT

The GeForce FX 5900ZT is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 24 2011. It features the Rankine architecture. The core clock speed is 607 MHz. It has 1024 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 365W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 33 points. Launch price was $699.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce 6100 scores 27 versus the GeForce FX 5900ZT's 33 — the GeForce FX 5900ZT leads by 22.2%. The GeForce 6100 is built on Pascal while the GeForce FX 5900ZT uses Rankine, both on 14 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 6100) vs 1,024 (GeForce FX 5900ZT). Raw compute: 1.127 TFLOPS (GeForce 6100) vs 1.244 TFLOPS ×2 (GeForce FX 5900ZT).

Feature	GeForce 6100	GeForce FX 5900ZT
G3D Mark Score	27	33+22%
Architecture	Pascal	Rankine
Process Node	14 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	384	1024 ×2+167%
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.127 TFLOPS	1.244 TFLOPS ×2+10%
ROPs	16	48 ×2+200%
TMUs	24	64 ×2+167%
L1 Cache	0.14 MB	1 MB+614%
L2 Cache	512 KB	768 KB+50%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce 6100	GeForce FX 5900ZT
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce 6100 comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce FX 5900ZT has 128 MB. The GeForce 6100 offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 512 KB (GeForce 6100) vs 768 KB (GeForce FX 5900ZT) — the GeForce FX 5900ZT has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce 6100	GeForce FX 5900ZT
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	512 KB	768 KB+50%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 9.0c (GeForce 6100) vs 9.0a (GeForce FX 5900ZT). Vulkan: None vs N/A. OpenGL: 2.1 vs 2.1. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce 6100	GeForce FX 5900ZT
DirectX	9.0c	9.0a
Vulkan	None	N/A
OpenGL	2.1	2.1
Max Displays	1	2+100%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: No (GeForce 6100) vs None (GeForce FX 5900ZT). Decoder: PureVideo vs None. Supported codecs: MPEG-2 (GeForce 6100) vs MPEG-2 (GeForce FX 5900ZT).

Feature	GeForce 6100	GeForce FX 5900ZT
Encoder	No	None
Decoder	PureVideo	None
Codecs	MPEG-2	MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 6100 draws 30W versus the GeForce FX 5900ZT's 365W — a 169.6% difference. The GeForce 6100 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 6100) vs 350W (GeForce FX 5900ZT). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy. Card length: 0mm vs 218mm, occupying 0 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 70°C vs 70.

Feature	GeForce 6100	GeForce FX 5900ZT
TDP	30W-92%	365W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	Legacy
Length	0mm	218mm
Height	0mm	111mm
Slots	0-100%	1
Temp (Load)	70°C	70
Perf/Watt	0.9+800%	0.1

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce 6100 launched at $0 MSRP and currently averages $0, while the GeForce FX 5900ZT launched at $0 and now averages $0. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): Infinity (GeForce 6100) vs Infinity (GeForce FX 5900ZT) — the GeForce FX 5900ZT offers NaN% better value. The GeForce 6100 is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2011).