GeForce 9800 GX2 vs Radeon R6

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 9800 GX2 vs Radeon R6 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 9800 GX2 vs Radeon R6: 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 9800 GX2

2008

Why buy it

✅29.6% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 1.0 vs 0 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (2 MB vs Unknown).

Trade-offs

❌2008 hardware with 2 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌200% higher power demand at 150W vs 50W.

Radeon R6

2019

Why buy it

✅GeForce 9800 GX2 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so Radeon R6 is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 50W instead of 150W, a 100W reduction.
✅More future proof: GCN 4.0 (2016−2020) on 14nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce 9800 GX2 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 2 MB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2019 hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 1.0 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $599 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce 9800 GX2 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 29.6% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 0.2% in PassMark G3D (613 vs 612), so the answer here is pretty clean.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

Radeon R6 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: the newer upscaling stack, FSR Upscaling / FSR 4 (2025) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 14nm process instead of 65nm, and a newer 2019 generation instead of 2008. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce 9800 GX2 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p, GeForce 9800 GX2 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p headroom, Radeon R6 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce 9800 GX2 vs Radeon R6 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce 9800 GX2

The GeForce 9800 GX2 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: 613 points.

Radeon R6

The Radeon R6 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 13 2019. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1082 MHz to 1218 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 612 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce 9800 GX2 scores 613 and the Radeon R6 reaches 612 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 9800 GX2 is built on G9x while the Radeon R6 uses GCN 4.0, both on 65 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 9800 GX2) vs 512 (Radeon R6).

Feature	GeForce 9800 GX2	Radeon R6
G3D Mark Score	613	612
Architecture	G9x	GCN 4.0
Process Node	65 nm	14 nm
Shading Units	224	512+129%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce 9800 GX2 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Radeon R6 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	GeForce 9800 GX2	Radeon R6
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce 9800 GX2 has 2 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon R6 carries 0 MB. GeForce 9800 GX2 gives you 100+% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GeForce 9800 GX2 and 64-bit on the Radeon R6.

Feature	GeForce 9800 GX2	Radeon R6
VRAM Capacity	0.002 GB	0 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	64-bit	64-bit

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 10.0 (GeForce 9800 GX2) vs 12 (12_0) (Radeon R6). Vulkan: None vs 1.2. OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.4. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce 9800 GX2	Radeon R6
DirectX	10.0	12 (12_0)+20%
Vulkan	None	1.2
OpenGL	3.3	4.4+33%
Max Displays	3	4+33%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: No (GeForce 9800 GX2) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R6). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP2 vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264 (GeForce 9800 GX2) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,DivX (Radeon R6).

Feature	GeForce 9800 GX2	Radeon R6
Encoder	No	VCE 2.0
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP2	UVD 4.2
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,DivX

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 9800 GX2 draws 150W versus the Radeon R6's 50W — a 100% difference. The Radeon R6 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 9800 GX2) vs 350W (Radeon R6). Power connectors: Legacy vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 105°C vs 65°C.

Feature	GeForce 9800 GX2	Radeon R6
TDP	150W	50W-67%
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	PCIe-powered
Length	267mm	—
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	105°C	65°C-38%
Perf/Watt	4.1	12.2+198%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce 9800 GX2 came in at $599, while the Radeon R6 launched at $0. On MSRP, Radeon R6 was 100+% cheaper ($599 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 1.0 (GeForce 9800 GX2) vs Infinity (Radeon R6) — the Radeon R6 offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Radeon R6 (2019 vs 2008).

Feature	GeForce 9800 GX2	Radeon R6
MSRP	$599	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	1.0	Infinity
Codename	NB9E-GTX	Polaris 23
Release	July 15 2008	May 13 2019
Ranking	#825	#757

Search GeForce 9800 GX2 on Amazon

Search Radeon R6 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.