CPU
GPU
GeForce 9600 GS
Popular choices:
Radeon HD 8400
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 8400
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce 9600 GS is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 4.1% higher G3D Mark score and 50% more VRAM (768 MB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 8400.
| Insight | GeForce 9600 GS | Radeon HD 8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+4.1%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-4.1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / G9x (2007−2010)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+50%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce 9600 GS 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 Radeon HD 8400
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.
Radeon HD 8400
The Radeon HD 8400 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in March 5 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 271 points. Launch price was $349.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce 9600 GS scores 282 and the Radeon HD 8400 reaches 271 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 4.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 9600 GS is built on G9x while the Radeon HD 8400 uses GCN 1.0, both on 65 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 9600 GS) vs 1,280 (Radeon HD 8400).
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GS | Radeon HD 8400 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 282+4% | 271 |
| Architecture | G9x | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 224 | 1280+471% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GS | Radeon HD 8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce 9600 GS comes with 768 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 8400 has 512 MB. The GeForce 9600 GS offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GS | Radeon HD 8400 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.75 GB+50% | 0.5 GB |
| 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 11.1 (Radeon HD 8400). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GS | Radeon HD 8400 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.1 (10_0) | 11.1 |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.6+39% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (GeForce 9600 GS) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon HD 8400). Decoder: VP2 vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce 9600 GS) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4 (Radeon HD 8400).
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GS | Radeon HD 8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | VCE 2.0 |
| Decoder | VP2 | UVD 4.2 |
| Codecs | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,MPEG-4 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 9600 GS draws 150W versus the Radeon HD 8400's 200W — a 28.6% difference. The GeForce 9600 GS is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 9600 GS) vs 350W (Radeon HD 8400). Power connectors: Legacy vs 1x 6-pin. Typical load temperature: 90 vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GS | Radeon HD 8400 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 150W-25% | 200W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | 229mm | — |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 1 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 90 | 75-17% |
| Perf/Watt | 1.9+36% | 1.4 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 9600 GS launched at $0 MSRP and currently averages $0, while the Radeon HD 8400 launched at $30 and now averages $5. The GeForce 9600 GS costs 100+% less ($5 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): Infinity (GeForce 9600 GS) vs 54.2 (Radeon HD 8400) — the GeForce 9600 GS offers Infinity% better value. The Radeon HD 8400 is the newer GPU (2012 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GS | Radeon HD 8400 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $0-100% | $30 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $0-100% | $5 |
| Performance per Dollar | Infinity | 54.2 |
| Codename | NB9E-GTX | Pitcairn |
| Release | July 15 2008 | March 5 2012 |
| Ranking | #825 | #460 |
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