GeForce 9650M GS vs Quadro FX 3500

NVIDIA

GeForce 9650M GS

2012Core: 790 MHzBoost: 835 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
NVIDIA

Quadro FX 3500

2008Core: 610 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce 9650M GS vs Quadro FX 3500 Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce 9650M GS vs Quadro FX 3500 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce 9650M GS vs Quadro FX 3500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce 9650M GS

2012

Why buy it

  • 2.1% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Costs $1,400 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
  • Delivers 718.7% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 1.4 vs 0.2 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (512 MB vs 256 MB).
  • Draws 30W instead of 189W, a 159W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • 2012 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

Quadro FX 3500

2008

Why buy it

  • Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce 9650M GS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 256 MB vs 512 MB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2008 hardware with 256 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 703.5% HIGHER MSRP
    $1,599 MSRPvs$199 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.2 vs 1.4 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce 9650M GS is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 2.1% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 1.9% in PassMark G3D (270 vs 265), so the answer here is pretty clean.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce 9650M GS is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 512 MB vs 256 MB of VRAM, a 28nm process instead of 55nm, and a newer 2012 generation instead of 2008. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce 9650M GS makes the most sense to buy today. It is $1,400 cheaper on MSRP at $199 vs $1,599, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 718.7% (1.4 vs 0.2), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce 9650M GS vs Quadro FX 3500 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

NVIDIA

GeForce 9650M GS

The GeForce 9650M GS is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 22 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 790 MHz to 835 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 270 points.

NVIDIA

Quadro FX 3500

The Quadro FX 3500 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in November 11 2008. It features the Tesla 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 610 MHz. It has 240 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 189W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 265 points. Launch price was $3,499.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce 9650M GS scores 270 and the Quadro FX 3500 reaches 265 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 9650M GS is built on Kepler while the Quadro FX 3500 uses Tesla 2.0, both on 28 nm vs 55 nm. Shader units: 768 (GeForce 9650M GS) vs 240 (Quadro FX 3500).

FeatureGeForce 9650M GSQuadro FX 3500
G3D Mark Score
270+2%
265
Architecture
Kepler
Tesla 2.0
Process Node
28 nm
55 nm
Shading Units
768+220%
240

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce 9650M GS gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Quadro FX 3500 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce 9650M GSQuadro FX 3500
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce 9650M GS has 512 MB of VRAM, while the Quadro FX 3500 carries 256 MB. GeForce 9650M GS gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce 9650M GS and 64-bit on the Quadro FX 3500.

FeatureGeForce 9650M GSQuadro FX 3500
VRAM Capacity
0.5 GB+100%
0.25 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
128-bit+100%
64-bit
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 9650M GS draws 30W versus the Quadro FX 3500's 189W — a 145.2% difference. The GeForce 9650M GS is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 9650M GS) vs 350W (Quadro FX 3500). Power connectors: Legacy vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGeForce 9650M GSQuadro FX 3500
TDP
30W-84%
189W
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
Legacy
PCIe-powered
Slots
0
Temp (Load)
85°C
Perf/Watt
9.0+543%
1.4
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce 9650M GS came in at $199, while the Quadro FX 3500 launched at $1599. On MSRP, GeForce 9650M GS was 87.6% cheaper ($1400 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 1.4 (GeForce 9650M GS) vs 0.2 (Quadro FX 3500) — the GeForce 9650M GS offers 600% better value. The newer card here is GeForce 9650M GS (2012 vs 2008).

FeatureGeForce 9650M GSQuadro FX 3500
MSRP
$199-88%
$1599
Performance per Dollar
1.4+600%
0.2
Codename
N13E-GE
GT200B
Release
March 22 2012
November 11 2008
Ranking
#690
#815

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