CPU
GPU
GeForce 9650M GS
Popular choices:
Radeon HD 8490
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 9650M GS is positioned at rank 680 and the Radeon HD 8490 is on rank 294, so the Radeon HD 8490 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 9650M GS
Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 8490
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce 9650M GS is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.7% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon HD 8490 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce 9650M GS | Radeon HD 8490 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.7%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.7%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2009 / TeraScale (2005−2013)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce 9650M GS offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce 9650M GS holds the technical lead. Priced at $20 (vs $35), it costs 43% less, resulting in a 79.7% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce 9650M GS | Radeon HD 8490 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+79.7%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($20) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($35) |
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 9650M GS and Radeon HD 8490
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.
Radeon HD 8490
The Radeon HD 8490 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 2 2009. It features the TeraScale architecture. The core clock speed is 850 MHz. It has 800 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 190W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 263 points. Launch price was $249.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce 9650M GS scores 270 and the Radeon HD 8490 reaches 263 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 9650M GS is built on Kepler while the Radeon HD 8490 uses TeraScale, both on 28 nm vs 55 nm. Shader units: 768 (GeForce 9650M GS) vs 800 (Radeon HD 8490).
| Feature | GeForce 9650M GS | Radeon HD 8490 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 270+3% | 263 |
| Architecture | Kepler | TeraScale |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 55 nm |
| Shading Units | 768 | 800+4% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce 9650M GS | Radeon HD 8490 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 9650M GS comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 8490 has 1 GB. The Radeon HD 8490 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit.
| Feature | GeForce 9650M GS | Radeon HD 8490 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 1 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce 9650M GS) vs 11.2 (Radeon HD 8490). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.4. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce 9650M GS | Radeon HD 8490 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.1 (10_0) | 11.2 |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.4+33% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: No NVENC (G84) (GeForce 9650M GS) vs UVD 3.1 (Radeon HD 8490). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP2 vs UVD 3.1. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,WMV9 (GeForce 9650M GS) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (Radeon HD 8490).
| Feature | GeForce 9650M GS | Radeon HD 8490 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | No NVENC (G84) | UVD 3.1 |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP2 | UVD 3.1 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,WMV9 | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 9650M GS draws 30W versus the Radeon HD 8490's 190W — a 145.5% difference. The GeForce 9650M GS is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 9650M GS) vs 350W (Radeon HD 8490). Power connectors: Legacy vs 1x 6-pin.
| Feature | GeForce 9650M GS | Radeon HD 8490 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 30W-84% | 190W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | — | 168mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 9.0+543% | 1.4 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 9650M GS launched at $199 MSRP and currently averages $20, while the Radeon HD 8490 launched at $99 and now averages $35. The GeForce 9650M GS costs 42.9% less ($15 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 13.5 (GeForce 9650M GS) vs 7.5 (Radeon HD 8490) — the GeForce 9650M GS offers 80% better value. The GeForce 9650M GS is the newer GPU (2012 vs 2009).
| Feature | GeForce 9650M GS | Radeon HD 8490 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199 | $99-50% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20-43% | $35 |
| Performance per Dollar | 13.5+80% | 7.5 |
| Codename | N13E-GE | RV790 |
| Release | March 22 2012 | April 2 2009 |
| Ranking | #690 | #762 |
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