GeForce 9600 GS vs GeForce GT 520M
GeForce 9600 GS
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GeForce GT 520M
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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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 520M
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GT 520M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.7% higher G3D Mark score and 33.3% more VRAM (1 GB vs 768 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce 9600 GS.
| Insight | GeForce 9600 GS | GeForce GT 520M |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.7%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.7%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / G9x (2007−2010)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / Kepler (2012−2018)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+33.3%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce GT 520M remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.
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 9600 GS and GeForce GT 520M
GeForce 9600 GS
The GeForce 9600 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: 282 points.
GeForce GT 520M
The GeForce GT 520M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 9 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 941 MHz to 967 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 284 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce 9600 GS scores 282 and the GeForce GT 520M reaches 284 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 9600 GS is built on G9x while the GeForce GT 520M uses Kepler, both on 65 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 9600 GS) vs 384 (GeForce GT 520M).
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GS | GeForce GT 520M |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 282 | 284 |
| Architecture | G9x | Kepler |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 224 | 384+71% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GS | GeForce GT 520M |
|---|---|---|
| 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 9600 GS comes with 768 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GT 520M has 1 GB. The GeForce GT 520M offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GS | GeForce GT 520M |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.75 GB | 1 GB+33% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 128-bit+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce 9600 GS) vs 11.0 (GeForce GT 520M). Vulkan: N/A vs None. OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.0. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 1.
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GS | GeForce GT 520M |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.1 (10_0) | 11.0 |
| Vulkan | N/A | None |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.0+21% |
| Max Displays | 2+100% | 1 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (GeForce 9600 GS) vs No (GeForce GT 520M). Decoder: VP2 vs PureVideo HD VP4. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce 9600 GS) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GT 520M).
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GS | GeForce GT 520M |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | No |
| Decoder | VP2 | PureVideo HD VP4 |
| Codecs | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 9600 GS draws 150W versus the GeForce GT 520M's 50W — a 100% difference. The GeForce GT 520M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 9600 GS) vs 350W (GeForce GT 520M). Power connectors: Legacy vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 229mm vs 0mm, occupying 1 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 90 vs 70°C.
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GS | GeForce GT 520M |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 150W | 50W-67% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 229mm | 0mm |
| Height | 111mm | 0mm |
| Slots | 1 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 90 | 70°C-22% |
| Perf/Watt | 1.9 | 5.7+200% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 9600 GS launched at $0 MSRP and currently averages $0, while the GeForce GT 520M launched at $60. The GeForce GT 520M is the newer GPU (2013 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GS | GeForce GT 520M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $0-100% | $60 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $0 | — |
| Codename | NB9E-GTX | GK107 |
| Release | July 15 2008 | January 9 2013 |
| Ranking | #825 | #792 |
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