GeForce 9800M GS vs Radeon Vega 2

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 9800M GS vs Radeon Vega 2 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 9800M GS vs Radeon Vega 2: 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 9800M GS

2008

Why buy it

✅26.2% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 2.6 vs 0 G3D/$ ($200 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (512 MB vs Unknown).

Trade-offs

❌2008 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌900% higher power demand at 150W vs 15W.

Radeon Vega 2

2021

Why buy it

✅GeForce 9800M GS is already obsolete for modern gaming, so Radeon Vega 2 is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 15W instead of 150W, a 135W reduction.
✅More future proof: GCN 5.1 (2018−2022) on 7nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce 9800M GS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 512 MB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2021 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 2.6 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $200 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce 9800M GS is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 26.2% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 2.2% in PassMark G3D (517 vs 506), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

Radeon Vega 2 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 7nm process instead of 65nm, and a newer 2021 generation instead of 2008. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce 9800M GS makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce 9800M GS is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p headroom, Radeon Vega 2 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce 9800M GS vs Radeon Vega 2 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce 9800M GS

The GeForce 9800M GS 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: 517 points.

Radeon Vega 2

The Radeon Vega 2 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 13 2021. It features the GCN 5.1 architecture. The core clock ranges from 300 MHz to 1900 MHz. It has 448 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 15W. Manufactured using 7 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 506 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce 9800M GS scores 517 and the Radeon Vega 2 reaches 506 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 9800M GS is built on G9x while the Radeon Vega 2 uses GCN 5.1, both on 65 nm vs 7 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 9800M GS) vs 448 (Radeon Vega 2).

Feature	GeForce 9800M GS	Radeon Vega 2
G3D Mark Score	517+2%	506
Architecture	G9x	GCN 5.1
Process Node	65 nm	7 nm
Shading Units	224	448+100%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce 9800M GS gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Radeon Vega 2 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	GeForce 9800M GS	Radeon Vega 2
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 9800M GS has 512 MB of VRAM, while the Radeon Vega 2 carries 0 MB. GeForce 9800M GS 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 9800M GS and System on the Radeon Vega 2.

Feature	GeForce 9800M GS	Radeon Vega 2
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	Shared System RAM
Memory Type	GDDR5	Shared
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	System
Bus Width	64-bit	System

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce 9800M GS) vs 12 (12_1) (Radeon Vega 2). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 3.

Feature	GeForce 9800M GS	Radeon Vega 2
DirectX	11.1 (10_0)	12 (12_1)+8%
OpenGL	3.3	4.6+39%
Max Displays	2	3+50%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP3) vs VCN 1.0. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce 9800M GS) vs H.264,H.265,VP9 (Radeon Vega 2).

Feature	GeForce 9800M GS	Radeon Vega 2
Encoder	—	VCN 1.0
Decoder	PureVideo HD (VP3)	VCN 1.0
Codecs	H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1	H.264,H.265,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 9800M GS draws 150W versus the Radeon Vega 2's 15W — a 163.6% difference. The Radeon Vega 2 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 9800M GS) vs 0W (Radeon Vega 2). Power connectors: Legacy vs None. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 70.

Feature	GeForce 9800M GS	Radeon Vega 2
TDP	150W	15W-90%
Recommended PSU	350W	0W-100%
Power Connector	Legacy	None
Length	—	0mm
Height	—	0mm
Slots	0	0
Temp (Load)	85°C	70-18%
Perf/Watt	3.4	33.7+891%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce 9800M GS came in at $200, while the Radeon Vega 2 launched at $0. On MSRP, Radeon Vega 2 was 100+% cheaper ($200 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 2.6 (GeForce 9800M GS) vs Infinity (Radeon Vega 2) — the Radeon Vega 2 offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Radeon Vega 2 (2021 vs 2008).

Feature	GeForce 9800M GS	Radeon Vega 2
MSRP	$200	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	2.6	Infinity
Codename	NB9E-GTX	Cezanne
Release	July 15 2008	April 13 2021
Ranking	#825	#601

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