
GeForce 9600 GSO vs FirePro V3800

GeForce 9600 GSO
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FirePro V3800
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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. The GeForce 9600 GSO is positioned at rank 615 and the FirePro V3800 is on rank 268, so the FirePro V3800 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 9600 GSO
Performance Per Dollar FirePro V3800
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce 9600 GSO is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.6% higher G3D Mark score. However, the FirePro V3800 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce 9600 GSO | FirePro V3800 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.6%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / G9x (2007−2010)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / TeraScale 2 (2009−2015)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+166.7%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The FirePro V3800 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the FirePro V3800 holds the technical lead. Priced at $12 (vs $25), it costs 52% less, resulting in a 107% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce 9600 GSO | FirePro V3800 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+107%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($25) | ✅More affordable ($12) |
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 GSO and FirePro V3800

GeForce 9600 GSO
The GeForce 9600 GSO 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: 323 points.

FirePro V3800
The FirePro V3800 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 26 2010. It features the TeraScale 2 architecture. The core clock speed is 690 MHz. It has 800 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 74W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 321 points. Launch price was $479.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce 9600 GSO scores 323 and the FirePro V3800 reaches 321 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 9600 GSO is built on G9x while the FirePro V3800 uses TeraScale 2, both on 65 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 9600 GSO) vs 800 (FirePro V3800).
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GSO | FirePro V3800 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 323 | 321 |
| Architecture | G9x | TeraScale 2 |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 40 nm |
| Shading Units | 224 | 800+257% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GSO | FirePro V3800 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 GSO comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the FirePro V3800 has 4 GB. The FirePro V3800 offers 166.7% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 64-bit.
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GSO | FirePro V3800 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1.5 GB | 4 GB+167% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 64-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 10.0 (GeForce 9600 GSO) vs 11.2 (FirePro V3800). Vulkan: None vs N/A. OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.4. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GSO | FirePro V3800 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 10.0 | 11.2+12% |
| Vulkan | None | N/A |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.4+33% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: No (GeForce 9600 GSO) vs None (FirePro V3800). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP2 vs UVD 2.3. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (GeForce 9600 GSO) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (FirePro V3800).
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GSO | FirePro V3800 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | No | None |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP2 | UVD 2.3 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 9600 GSO draws 150W versus the FirePro V3800's 74W — a 67.9% difference. The FirePro V3800 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 9600 GSO) vs 350W (FirePro V3800). Power connectors: Legacy vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 229mm vs 168mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 90°C vs 80.
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GSO | FirePro V3800 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 150W | 74W-51% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 229mm | 168mm |
| Height | 111mm | 69mm |
| Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | 90°C | 80-11% |
| Perf/Watt | 2.2 | 4.3+95% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 9600 GSO launched at $129 MSRP and currently averages $25, while the FirePro V3800 launched at $129 and now averages $12. The FirePro V3800 costs 52% less ($13 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 12.9 (GeForce 9600 GSO) vs 26.8 (FirePro V3800) — the FirePro V3800 offers 107.8% better value. The FirePro V3800 is the newer GPU (2010 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GSO | FirePro V3800 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $129 | $129 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $25 | $12-52% |
| Performance per Dollar | 12.9 | 26.8+108% |
| Codename | NB9E-GTX | Juniper |
| Release | July 15 2008 | April 26 2010 |
| Ranking | #825 | #780 |
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