GeForce 6800 GS vs Quadro FX 580

NVIDIA

GeForce 6800 GS

2008Core: 500 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
NVIDIA

Quadro FX 580

2008Core: 610 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce 6800 GS vs Quadro FX 580 Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce 6800 GS vs Quadro FX 580 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 6800 GS vs Quadro FX 580: 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 6800 GS

2008

Why buy it

  • Draws 150W instead of 189W, a 39W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with 256 MB vs 512 MB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2008 hardware with 256 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 25.1% HIGHER MSRP
    $249 MSRPvs$199 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.8 vs 0.9 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Quadro FX 580

2008

Why buy it

  • Costs $50 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
  • Delivers 18% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 0.9 vs 0.8 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (512 MB vs 256 MB).

Trade-offs

  • 2008 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 26% higher power demand at 189W vs 150W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce 6800 GS is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 6.1% in PassMark G3D (192 vs 181), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce 6800 GS is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond because it comes out ahead on the available hardware-headroom signals for this matchup.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
Quadro FX 580 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $50 cheaper on MSRP at $199 vs $249, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 18% (0.9 vs 0.8), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, Quadro FX 580 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce 6800 GS has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce 6800 GS vs Quadro FX 580 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce 6800 GS

The GeForce 6800 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: 192 points.

NVIDIA

Quadro FX 580

The Quadro FX 580 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in November 11 2008. It features the Tesla 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 610 MHz. It has 240 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 189W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 181 points. Launch price was $3,499.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce 6800 GS scores 192 versus the Quadro FX 580's 181 — the GeForce 6800 GS leads by 6.1%. The GeForce 6800 GS is built on G9x while the Quadro FX 580 uses Tesla 2.0, both on 65 nm vs 55 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 6800 GS) vs 240 (Quadro FX 580).

FeatureGeForce 6800 GSQuadro FX 580
G3D Mark Score
192+6%
181
Architecture
G9x
Tesla 2.0
Process Node
65 nm
55 nm
Shading Units
224
240+7%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce 6800 GS gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Quadro FX 580 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce 6800 GSQuadro FX 580
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce 6800 GS has 256 MB of VRAM, while the Quadro FX 580 carries 512 MB. Quadro FX 580 gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GeForce 6800 GS and 64-bit on the Quadro FX 580.

FeatureGeForce 6800 GSQuadro FX 580
VRAM Capacity
0.25 GB
0.5 GB+100%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
64-bit
64-bit
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 6800 GS draws 150W versus the Quadro FX 580's 189W — a 23% difference. The GeForce 6800 GS is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 6800 GS) vs 350W (Quadro FX 580). Power connectors: Legacy vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGeForce 6800 GSQuadro FX 580
TDP
150W-21%
189W
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
Legacy
PCIe-powered
Length
216mm
Height
111mm
Slots
1
Temp (Load)
85°C
Perf/Watt
1.3+30%
1.0
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce 6800 GS came in at $249, while the Quadro FX 580 launched at $199. On MSRP, Quadro FX 580 was 20.1% cheaper ($50 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.8 (GeForce 6800 GS) vs 0.9 (Quadro FX 580) — the Quadro FX 580 offers 12.5% better value.

FeatureGeForce 6800 GSQuadro FX 580
MSRP
$249
$199-20%
Performance per Dollar
0.8
0.9+12%
Codename
NB9E-GTX
GT200B
Release
July 15 2008
November 11 2008
Ranking
#825
#815

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