GeForce 6500 vs RADEON 9600 XT
GeForce 6500
Popular choices:
RADEON 9600 XT
Popular choices:
Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
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. The GeForce 6500 is positioned at rank 359 and the RADEON 9600 XT is on rank 370, so the GeForce 6500 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 6500
Performance Per Dollar RADEON 9600 XT
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The RADEON 9600 XT is significantly newer (2022 vs 2012). The RADEON 9600 XT likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce 6500 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce 6500 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 8.6% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the RADEON 9600 XT.
| Insight | GeForce 6500 | RADEON 9600 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+8.6%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-8.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018)) | RDNA 3.0 (2022−2026) (5nm) |
| 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 6500 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $5 versus $15 for the RADEON 9600 XT, it costs 67% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 225.7% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce 6500 | RADEON 9600 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+225.7%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($5) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($15) |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce 6500 and RADEON 9600 XT
GeForce 6500
The GeForce 6500 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 6 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 1058 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 65W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 38 points. Launch price was $109.
RADEON 9600 XT
The RADEON 9600 XT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 3 2022. It features the RDNA 3.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1387 MHz to 2394 MHz. It has 5376 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 84 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 35 points. Launch price was $899.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce 6500 scores 38 versus the RADEON 9600 XT's 35 — the GeForce 6500 leads by 8.6%. The GeForce 6500 is built on Kepler while the RADEON 9600 XT uses RDNA 3.0, both on 28 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 6500) vs 5,376 (RADEON 9600 XT). Raw compute: 0.8125 TFLOPS (GeForce 6500) vs 51.48 TFLOPS (RADEON 9600 XT).
| Feature | GeForce 6500 | RADEON 9600 XT |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 38+9% | 35 |
| Architecture | Kepler | RDNA 3.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 5 nm |
| Shading Units | 384 | 5376+1300% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.8125 TFLOPS | 51.48 TFLOPS+6236% |
| ROPs | 16 | 192+1100% |
| TMUs | 32 | 336+950% |
| L1 Cache | 0.03 MB | 3 MB+9900% |
| L2 Cache | 0.25 MB | 6 MB+2300% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce 6500 | RADEON 9600 XT |
|---|---|---|
| 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 256 MB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 0.25 MB (GeForce 6500) vs 6 MB (RADEON 9600 XT) — the RADEON 9600 XT has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce 6500 | RADEON 9600 XT |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.25 GB | 0.25 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 0.25 MB | 6 MB+2300% |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 6500 draws 65W versus the RADEON 9600 XT's 300W — a 128.8% difference. The GeForce 6500 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 6500) vs 350W (RADEON 9600 XT). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy.
| Feature | GeForce 6500 | RADEON 9600 XT |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 65W-78% | 300W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | Legacy |
| Length | 168mm | — |
| Height | 100mm | — |
| Slots | 1 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 65°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 0.6+500% | 0.1 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 6500 launched at $100 MSRP and currently averages $5, while the RADEON 9600 XT launched at $199 and now averages $15. The GeForce 6500 costs 66.7% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 7.6 (GeForce 6500) vs 2.3 (RADEON 9600 XT) — the GeForce 6500 offers 230.4% better value. The RADEON 9600 XT is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2012).
| Feature | GeForce 6500 | RADEON 9600 XT |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $100-50% | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $5-67% | $15 |
| Performance per Dollar | 7.6+230% | 2.3 |
| Codename | GK107 | Navi 31 |
| Release | September 6 2012 | November 3 2022 |
| Ranking | #719 | #21 |
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