GeForce 9200M GS vs GeForce 9600M GS

NVIDIA

GeForce 9200M GS

2016Core: 965 MHzBoost: 993 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce 9600M GS

2008Core: 500 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce 9200M GS vs GeForce 9600M 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 9200M GS vs GeForce 9600M 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 9200M GS vs GeForce 9600M 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 9200M GS

2016

Why buy it

  • Draws 16W instead of 150W, a 134W reduction.
  • More future proof: Maxwell (2014−2017) on 28nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce 9600M GS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 256 MB vs 1 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2016 hardware with 256 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 42.9% HIGHER MSRP
    $100 MSRPvs$70 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 1.3 vs 1.9 G3D/$ ($100 MSRP vs $70 MSRP).

GeForce 9600M GS

2008

Why buy it

  • 4.2% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Costs $30 less on MSRP ($70 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
  • Delivers 45.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 1.9 vs 1.3 G3D/$ ($70 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
  • 300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (1 GB vs 256 MB).

Trade-offs

  • 2008 hardware with 1 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 837.5% higher power demand at 150W vs 16W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce 9600M GS is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 4.2% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 1.6% in PassMark G3D (131 vs 129), so the answer here is pretty clean.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce 9200M GS is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 28nm process instead of 65nm and a newer 2016 generation instead of 2008. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce 9600M GS makes the most sense to buy today. It is $30 cheaper on MSRP at $70 vs $100, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 45.1% (1.9 vs 1.3), so the value case lines up with the gaming result. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce 9600M GS is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce 9200M GS has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce 9200M GS vs GeForce 9600M GS Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce 9200M GS

The GeForce 9200M GS is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 25 2016. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 965 MHz to 993 MHz. It has 256 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 16W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 129 points.

NVIDIA

GeForce 9600M GS

The GeForce 9600M 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: 131 points.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce 9200M GS scores 129 and the GeForce 9600M GS reaches 131 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 9200M GS is built on Maxwell while the GeForce 9600M GS uses G9x, both on 28 nm vs 65 nm. Shader units: 256 (GeForce 9200M GS) vs 224 (GeForce 9600M GS).

FeatureGeForce 9200M GSGeForce 9600M GS
G3D Mark Score
129
131+2%
Architecture
Maxwell
G9x
Process Node
28 nm
65 nm
Shading Units
256+14%
224

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce 9200M GSGeForce 9600M 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 9200M GS has 256 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce 9600M GS carries 1 GB. GeForce 9600M GS gives you 300% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce 9200M GS and 64-bit on the GeForce 9600M GS.

FeatureGeForce 9200M GSGeForce 9600M GS
VRAM Capacity
0.25 GB
1 GB+300%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
Unknown
Unknown
Bus Width
128-bit+100%
64-bit
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 10.0 (GeForce 9200M GS) vs 10.0 (GeForce 9600M GS). Vulkan: None vs None. OpenGL: 3.3 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 1.

FeatureGeForce 9200M GSGeForce 9600M GS
DirectX
10.0
10.0
Vulkan
None
None
OpenGL
3.3
3.3
Max Displays
1
1
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: No (GeForce 9200M GS) vs No (GeForce 9600M GS). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP3 vs PureVideo HD VP3. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (GeForce 9200M GS) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (GeForce 9600M GS).

FeatureGeForce 9200M GSGeForce 9600M GS
Encoder
No
No
Decoder
PureVideo HD VP3
PureVideo HD VP3
Codecs
MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1
MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 9200M GS draws 16W versus the GeForce 9600M GS's 150W — a 161.4% difference. The GeForce 9200M GS is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 9200M GS) vs 350W (GeForce 9600M GS). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy. Card length: 0mm vs 0mm, occupying 0 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 85°C.

FeatureGeForce 9200M GSGeForce 9600M GS
TDP
16W-89%
150W
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
Legacy
Legacy
Length
0mm
0mm
Height
0mm
0mm
Slots
0
0
Temp (Load)
75°C-12%
85°C
Perf/Watt
8.1+800%
0.9
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce 9200M GS came in at $100, while the GeForce 9600M GS launched at $70. On MSRP, GeForce 9600M GS was 30% cheaper ($30 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 1.3 (GeForce 9200M GS) vs 1.9 (GeForce 9600M GS) — the GeForce 9600M GS offers 46.2% better value. The newer card here is GeForce 9200M GS (2016 vs 2008).

FeatureGeForce 9200M GSGeForce 9600M GS
MSRP
$100
$70-30%
Performance per Dollar
1.3
1.9+46%
Codename
GM108
NB9E-GTX
Release
March 25 2016
July 15 2008
Ranking
#864
#825

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