GeForce 7800 GTX vs GeForce 7900 GS

NVIDIA

GeForce 7800 GTX

2008Core: 500 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce 7900 GS

2008Core: 500 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce 7800 GTX vs GeForce 7900 GS 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 7800 GTX vs GeForce 7900 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 7800 GTX vs GeForce 7900 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 7800 GTX

2008

Why buy it

  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (512 MB vs 256 MB).
  • More future proof: G9x (2007−2010) on 65nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

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.
  • 131.3% HIGHER MSRP
    $599 MSRPvs$259 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.4 vs 1.0 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $259 MSRP).
  • 15.2% longer card at 228mm vs 198mm.

GeForce 7900 GS

2008

Why buy it

  • Costs $340 less on MSRP ($259 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
  • Delivers 126.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 1.0 vs 0.4 G3D/$ ($259 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
  • Measures 198mm instead of 228mm, a 30mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

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.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce 7800 GTX is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 2.3% in PassMark G3D (268 vs 262), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce 7800 GTX is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 512 MB vs 256 MB of VRAM. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce 7900 GS makes the most sense to buy today. It is $340 cheaper on MSRP at $259 vs $599, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 126.1% (1.0 vs 0.4), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce 7900 GS is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce 7800 GTX has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce 7800 GTX vs GeForce 7900 GS Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce 7800 GTX

The GeForce 7800 GTX 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: 268 points.

NVIDIA

GeForce 7900 GS

The GeForce 7900 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: 262 points.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce 7800 GTX scores 268 and the GeForce 7900 GS reaches 262 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 7800 GTX is built on G9x while the GeForce 7900 GS uses G9x, both on a 65 nm process. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 7800 GTX) vs 224 (GeForce 7900 GS).

FeatureGeForce 7800 GTXGeForce 7900 GS
G3D Mark Score
268+2%
262
Architecture
G9x
G9x
Process Node
65 nm
65 nm
Shading Units
224
224

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce 7800 GTXGeForce 7900 GS
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)

The GeForce 7800 GTX has 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce 7900 GS carries 256 MB. GeForce 7800 GTX 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 7800 GTX and 64-bit on the GeForce 7900 GS.

FeatureGeForce 7800 GTXGeForce 7900 GS
VRAM Capacity
0.5 GB+100%
0.25 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
Unknown
Unknown
Bus Width
64-bit
64-bit
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 9.0c (GeForce 7800 GTX) vs 9.0c (GeForce 7900 GS). Vulkan: None vs N/A. OpenGL: 2.1 vs 2.1. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

FeatureGeForce 7800 GTXGeForce 7900 GS
DirectX
9.0c
9.0c
Vulkan
None
N/A
OpenGL
2.1
2.1
Max Displays
2
2
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: No (GeForce 7800 GTX) vs None (GeForce 7900 GS). Decoder: PureVideo vs PureVideo. Supported codecs: MPEG-2 (GeForce 7800 GTX) vs MPEG-2,WMV9 (GeForce 7900 GS).

FeatureGeForce 7800 GTXGeForce 7900 GS
Encoder
No
None
Decoder
PureVideo
PureVideo
Codecs
MPEG-2
MPEG-2,WMV9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 7800 GTX draws 150W versus the GeForce 7900 GS's 150W — a 0% difference. The GeForce 7900 GS is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 7800 GTX) vs 350W (GeForce 7900 GS). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs Legacy. Card length: 228mm vs 198mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 80.

FeatureGeForce 7800 GTXGeForce 7900 GS
TDP
150W
150W
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
Legacy
Length
228mm
198mm
Height
111mm
111mm
Slots
1
1
Temp (Load)
85°C
80-6%
Perf/Watt
1.8+6%
1.7
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce 7800 GTX came in at $599, while the GeForce 7900 GS launched at $259. On MSRP, GeForce 7900 GS was 56.8% cheaper ($340 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.4 (GeForce 7800 GTX) vs 1.0 (GeForce 7900 GS) — the GeForce 7900 GS offers 150% better value.

FeatureGeForce 7800 GTXGeForce 7900 GS
MSRP
$599
$259-57%
Performance per Dollar
0.4
1.0+150%
Codename
NB9E-GTX
NB9E-GTX
Release
July 15 2008
July 15 2008
Ranking
#825
#825

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