GeForce 9600 GSO vs GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT
GeForce 9600 GSO
Popular choices:
GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT
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 9600 GSO is positioned at rank 615 and the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT is on rank 266, so the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT 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 GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT is significantly newer (2017 vs 2008). The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce 9600 GSO lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.6% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce 9600 GSO offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce 9600 GSO | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.6%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / G9x (2007−2010)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+200%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT holds the technical lead. Priced at $15 (vs $25), it costs 40% less, resulting in a 67.7% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce 9600 GSO | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+67.7%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($25) | ✅More affordable ($15) |
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 GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT
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.
GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT
The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 26 2017. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1506 MHz to 1709 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 325 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce 9600 GSO scores 323 and the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT reaches 325 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 GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT uses Pascal, both on 65 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 9600 GSO) vs 1,280 (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT).
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GSO | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 323 | 325 |
| Architecture | G9x | Pascal |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 16 nm |
| Shading Units | 224 | 1280+471% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GSO | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| 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 GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT has 512 MB. The GeForce 9600 GSO offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 64-bit.
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GSO | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1.5 GB+200% | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 64-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 10.0 (GeForce 9600 GSO) vs 10.0 (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT). Vulkan: None vs N/A. OpenGL: 3.3 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GSO | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Vulkan | None | N/A |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 4+100% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: No (GeForce 9600 GSO) vs None (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP2 vs PureVideo VP2. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (GeForce 9600 GSO) vs MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264 (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT).
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GSO | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | No | None |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP2 | PureVideo VP2 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 | MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 9600 GSO draws 150W versus the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT's 120W — a 22.2% difference. The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 9600 GSO) vs 350W (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT). Power connectors: Legacy vs None. Card length: 229mm vs 168mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 90°C vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GSO | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 150W | 120W-20% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | None |
| Length | 229mm | 168mm |
| Height | 111mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | 90°C | 75-17% |
| Perf/Watt | 2.2 | 2.7+23% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 9600 GSO launched at $129 MSRP and currently averages $25, while the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT launched at $85 and now averages $15. The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT costs 40% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 12.9 (GeForce 9600 GSO) vs 21.7 (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT) — the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT offers 68.2% better value. The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce 9600 GSO | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $129 | $85-34% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $25 | $15-40% |
| Performance per Dollar | 12.9 | 21.7+68% |
| Codename | NB9E-GTX | GP106 |
| Release | July 15 2008 | December 26 2017 |
| Ranking | #825 | #289 |
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