CPU
GPU
GeForce 9400 GT
Popular choices:
GeForce GT 120
Popular choices:
Performance Spectrum - GPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The GeForce 9400 GT is positioned at rank 573 and the GeForce GT 120 is on rank 317, so the GeForce GT 120 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 9400 GT
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 120
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce 9400 GT is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.6% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (1 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GT 120.
| Insight | GeForce 9400 GT | GeForce GT 120 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.6%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce 9400 GT offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce 9400 GT holds the technical lead. Priced at $20 (vs $40), it costs 50% less, resulting in a 103.2% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce 9400 GT | GeForce GT 120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+103.2%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($20) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($40) |
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce 9400 GT and GeForce GT 120
GeForce 9400 GT
The GeForce 9400 GT is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1072 MHz to 1176 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 191 points.
GeForce GT 120
The GeForce GT 120 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: 188 points. Launch price was $79.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce 9400 GT scores 191 and the GeForce GT 120 reaches 188 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 9400 GT is built on Maxwell while the GeForce GT 120 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 9400 GT) vs 384 (GeForce GT 120). Raw compute: 0.9032 TFLOPS (GeForce 9400 GT) vs 1.127 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 120). Boost clocks: 1176 MHz vs 1468 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce 9400 GT | GeForce GT 120 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 191+2% | 188 |
| Architecture | Maxwell | Pascal |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 14 nm |
| Shading Units | 384 | 384 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.9032 TFLOPS | 1.127 TFLOPS+25% |
| Boost Clock | 1176 MHz | 1468 MHz+25% |
| ROPs | 8 | 16+100% |
| TMUs | 24 | 24 |
| L1 Cache | 192 KB+33% | 144 KB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+100% | 0.5 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce 9400 GT | GeForce GT 120 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce 9400 GT comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GT 120 has 512 MB. The GeForce 9400 GT offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce 9400 GT) vs 0.5 MB (GeForce GT 120) — the GeForce 9400 GT has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce 9400 GT | GeForce GT 120 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB+100% | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+100% | 0.5 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 10.0 (GeForce 9400 GT) vs 10.0 (GeForce GT 120). Vulkan: None vs None. OpenGL: 3.3 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce 9400 GT | GeForce GT 120 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Vulkan | None | None |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: No (GeForce 9400 GT) vs No (GeForce GT 120). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP2 vs PureVideo HD VP3. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264 (GeForce 9400 GT) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (GeForce GT 120).
| Feature | GeForce 9400 GT | GeForce GT 120 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | No | No |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP2 | PureVideo HD VP3 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264 | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 9400 GT draws 33W versus the GeForce GT 120's 30W — a 9.5% difference. The GeForce GT 120 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 9400 GT) vs 350W (GeForce GT 120). Power connectors: Legacy vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 168mm vs 168mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 65°C vs 65°C.
| Feature | GeForce 9400 GT | GeForce GT 120 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 33W | 30W-9% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 168mm | 168mm |
| Height | 111mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | 65°C | 65°C |
| Perf/Watt | 5.8 | 6.3+9% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 9400 GT launched at $59 MSRP and currently averages $20, while the GeForce GT 120 launched at $100 and now averages $40. The GeForce 9400 GT costs 50% less ($20 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 9.6 (GeForce 9400 GT) vs 4.7 (GeForce GT 120) — the GeForce 9400 GT offers 104.3% better value. The GeForce GT 120 is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce 9400 GT | GeForce GT 120 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $59-41% | $100 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20-50% | $40 |
| Performance per Dollar | 9.6+104% | 4.7 |
| Codename | GM108 | GP108 |
| Release | March 13 2015 | May 17 2017 |
| Ranking | #847 | #641 |
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