GeForce 8600M GT vs GeForce GT 120M

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 8600M GT vs GeForce GT 120M 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 8600M GT vs GeForce GT 120M: 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 8600M GT

2008

Why buy it

✅36.6% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 256 MB vs 1 GB 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.
❌400% higher power demand at 150W vs 30W.

GeForce GT 120M

2017

Why buy it

✅300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (1 GB vs 256 MB).
✅Draws 30W instead of 150W, a 120W reduction.
✅More future proof: Pascal (2016−2021) on 14nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce 8600M GT across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌2017 hardware with 1 GB 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 8600M GT is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 36.6% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 8.6% in PassMark G3D (164 vs 151), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce 8600M GT 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?

GeForce 8600M GT makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce 8600M GT vs GeForce GT 120M Technical Specifications

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

GeForce 8600M GT

The GeForce 8600M GT 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: 164 points.

GeForce GT 120M

The GeForce GT 120M 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: 151 points. Launch price was $79.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce 8600M GT scores 164 versus the GeForce GT 120M's 151 — the GeForce 8600M GT leads by 8.6%. The GeForce 8600M GT is built on G9x while the GeForce GT 120M uses Pascal, both on 65 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 8600M GT) vs 384 (GeForce GT 120M).

Feature	GeForce 8600M GT	GeForce GT 120M
G3D Mark Score	164+9%	151
Architecture	G9x	Pascal
Process Node	65 nm	14 nm
Shading Units	224	384+71%

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce 8600M GT	GeForce GT 120M
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 8600M GT has 256 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GT 120M carries 1 GB. GeForce GT 120M gives you 300% 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 8600M GT and 64-bit on the GeForce GT 120M.

Feature	GeForce 8600M GT	GeForce GT 120M
VRAM Capacity	0.25 GB	1 GB+300%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	64-bit	64-bit

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce 8600M GT) vs 11.1 (FL10_0) (GeForce GT 120M). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce 8600M GT	GeForce GT 120M
DirectX	11.1 (10_0)	11.1 (FL10_0)
OpenGL	3.3	3.3
Max Displays	2	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP2) vs VP3. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce 8600M GT) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GT 120M).

Feature	GeForce 8600M GT	GeForce GT 120M
Encoder	—	VP3
Decoder	PureVideo HD (VP2)	VP3
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 8600M GT draws 150W versus the GeForce GT 120M's 30W — a 133.3% difference. The GeForce GT 120M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 8600M GT) vs 350W (GeForce GT 120M). Power connectors: Legacy vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce 8600M GT	GeForce GT 120M
TDP	150W	30W-80%
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	PCIe-powered
Slots	0	0
Temp (Load)	85°C	80°C-6%
Perf/Watt	1.1	5.0+355%

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce GT 120M (2017 vs 2008).

Feature	GeForce 8600M GT	GeForce GT 120M
MSRP	$0	—
Codename	NB9E-GTX	GP108
Release	July 15 2008	May 17 2017
Ranking	#825	#641

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