GeForce 8600 GS vs Quadro FX 380

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 8600 GS vs Quadro FX 380 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 8600 GS vs Quadro FX 380: 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 8600 GS

2008

Why buy it

✅Costs $29 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $129 MSRP).
✅Delivers 30.5% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 1.8 vs 1.4 G3D/$ ($100 MSRP vs $129 MSRP).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (512 MB vs 256 MB).
✅Draws 150W instead of 189W, a 39W reduction.

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.

Quadro FX 380

2008

Why buy it

✅Measures 168mm instead of 170mm, a 2mm 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.
❌
29% HIGHER MSRP
$129 MSRPvs$100 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 1.4 vs 1.8 G3D/$ ($129 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
❌26% higher power demand at 189W vs 150W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce 8600 GS is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 1.1% in PassMark G3D (179 vs 177), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.

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

GeForce 8600 GS 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 8600 GS makes the most sense to buy today. It is $29 cheaper on MSRP at $100 vs $129, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 30.5% (1.8 vs 1.4), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce 8600 GS vs Quadro FX 380 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce 8600 GS

The GeForce 8600 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: 179 points.

Quadro FX 380

The Quadro FX 380 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: 177 points. Launch price was $3,499.

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Graphics Performance

The GeForce 8600 GS scores 179 and the Quadro FX 380 reaches 177 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 8600 GS is built on G9x while the Quadro FX 380 uses Tesla 2.0, both on 65 nm vs 55 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 8600 GS) vs 240 (Quadro FX 380).

Feature	GeForce 8600 GS	Quadro FX 380
G3D Mark Score	179+1%	177
Architecture	G9x	Tesla 2.0
Process Node	65 nm	55 nm
Shading Units	224	240+7%

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce 8600 GS gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Quadro FX 380 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	GeForce 8600 GS	Quadro FX 380
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	Standard

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce 8600 GS has 512 MB of VRAM, while the Quadro FX 380 carries 256 MB. GeForce 8600 GS 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 8600 GS and 64-bit on the Quadro FX 380.

Feature	GeForce 8600 GS	Quadro FX 380
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB+100%	0.25 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	64-bit	64-bit

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Display & API Support

DirectX support: 10_0 (GeForce 8600 GS) vs 10_0 (Quadro FX 380). Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce 8600 GS	Quadro FX 380
DirectX	10_0	10_0
Max Displays	2	2

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 8600 GS draws 150W versus the Quadro FX 380's 189W — a 23% difference. The GeForce 8600 GS is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 8600 GS) vs 350W (Quadro FX 380). Power connectors: Legacy vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 170mm vs 168mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots.

Feature	GeForce 8600 GS	Quadro FX 380
TDP	150W-21%	189W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	PCIe-powered
Length	170mm	168mm
Height	111mm	—
Slots	1	1
Temp (Load)	78°C	—
Perf/Watt	1.2+33%	0.9

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Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce 8600 GS came in at $100, while the Quadro FX 380 launched at $129. On MSRP, GeForce 8600 GS was 22.5% cheaper ($29 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 1.8 (GeForce 8600 GS) vs 1.4 (Quadro FX 380) — the GeForce 8600 GS offers 28.6% better value.

Feature	GeForce 8600 GS	Quadro FX 380
MSRP	$100-22%	$129
Performance per Dollar	1.8+29%	1.4
Codename	NB9E-GTX	GT200B
Release	July 15 2008	November 11 2008
Ranking	#825	#815

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