GeForce 9800M GTS vs Radeon R4

NVIDIA

GeForce 9800M GTS

2008Core: 500 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Radeon R4

2017Core: 1183 MHzBoost: 1124 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce 9800M GTS vs Radeon R4 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 9800M GTS vs Radeon R4 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 GTS vs Radeon R4: 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 GTS

2008

Why buy it

  • 16.7% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.

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.
  • 100% HIGHER MSRP
    $200 MSRPvs$100 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 1.8 vs 3.5 G3D/$ ($200 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
  • 200% higher power demand at 150W vs 50W.

Radeon R4

2017

Why buy it

  • Costs $100 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
  • Delivers 93.8% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 3.5 vs 1.8 G3D/$ ($100 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
  • Draws 50W instead of 150W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce 9800M GTS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • 2017 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce 9800M GTS is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 16.7% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 3.2% in PassMark G3D (357 vs 346), so the answer here is pretty clean.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce 9800M GTS is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond because it comes out ahead on the available hardware-headroom signals for this matchup.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
Radeon R4 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $100 cheaper on MSRP at $100 vs $200, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 93.8% (3.5 vs 1.8), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, Radeon R4 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce 9800M GTS has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce 9800M GTS vs Radeon R4 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce 9800M GTS

The GeForce 9800M GTS 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: 357 points.

AMD

Radeon R4

The Radeon R4 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 20 2017. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1183 MHz to 1124 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 346 points. Launch price was $79.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce 9800M GTS scores 357 and the Radeon R4 reaches 346 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 9800M GTS is built on G9x while the Radeon R4 uses GCN 4.0, both on 65 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 9800M GTS) vs 384 (Radeon R4).

FeatureGeForce 9800M GTSRadeon R4
G3D Mark Score
357+3%
346
Architecture
G9x
GCN 4.0
Process Node
65 nm
14 nm
Shading Units
224
384+71%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce 9800M GTS gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Radeon R4 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce 9800M GTSRadeon R4
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)

Both cards ship with 512 MB of GDDR5. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GeForce 9800M GTS and 64-bit on the Radeon R4.

FeatureGeForce 9800M GTSRadeon R4
VRAM Capacity
0.5 GB
0.5 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
64-bit
64-bit
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 9800M GTS draws 150W versus the Radeon R4's 50W — a 100% difference. The Radeon R4 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 9800M GTS) vs 350W (Radeon R4). Power connectors: Legacy vs None.

FeatureGeForce 9800M GTSRadeon R4
TDP
150W
50W-67%
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
Legacy
None
Length
0mm
Height
0mm
Slots
0
Temp (Load)
90°C
Perf/Watt
2.4
6.9+188%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce 9800M GTS came in at $200, while the Radeon R4 launched at $100. On MSRP, Radeon R4 was 50% cheaper ($100 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 1.8 (GeForce 9800M GTS) vs 3.5 (Radeon R4) — the Radeon R4 offers 94.4% better value. The newer card here is Radeon R4 (2017 vs 2008).

FeatureGeForce 9800M GTSRadeon R4
MSRP
$200
$100-50%
Performance per Dollar
1.8
3.5+94%
Codename
NB9E-GTX
Lexa
Release
July 15 2008
April 20 2017
Ranking
#825
#773

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