GeForce FX 5200SE vs GeForce FX 5600 Ultra

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 FX 5200SE vs GeForce FX 5600 Ultra 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 FX 5200SE vs GeForce FX 5600 Ultra: 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 FX 5200SE

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($99 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Delivers 41.9% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 0.1 vs 0.1 G3D/$ ($99 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (512 MB vs 128 MB).
✅Measures 168mm instead of 190mm, a 22mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (12 vs 17).
❌2012 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

GeForce FX 5600 Ultra

2011

Why buy it

✅+41.7% higher PassMark G3D performance.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 128 MB vs 512 MB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2011 hardware with 128 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌
101% HIGHER MSRP
$199 MSRPvs$99 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.1 vs 0.1 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs $99 MSRP).
❌13.1% longer card at 190mm vs 168mm.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce FX 5600 Ultra is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 41.7% in PassMark G3D (17 vs 12), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.

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

GeForce FX 5200SE is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 512 MB vs 128 MB of VRAM and a newer 2012 generation instead of 2011. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce FX 5200SE makes the most sense to buy today. It is $100 cheaper on MSRP at $99 vs $199, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 41.9% (0.1 vs 0.1), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce FX 5600 Ultra still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce FX 5200SE vs GeForce FX 5600 Ultra Technical Specifications

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

GeForce FX 5200SE

The GeForce FX 5200SE is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 20 2012. It features the Rankine architecture. The core clock speed is 736 MHz. It has 288 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12 points. Launch price was $89.99.

GeForce FX 5600 Ultra

The GeForce FX 5600 Ultra is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 25 2011. It features the Rankine architecture. The core clock speed is 823 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 17 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce FX 5200SE scores 12 versus the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra's 17 — the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra leads by 41.7%. The GeForce FX 5200SE is built on Rankine while the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra uses Rankine, both on a 40 nm process. Shader units: 288 (GeForce FX 5200SE) vs 384 (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra). Raw compute: 0.8479 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5200SE) vs 1.263 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra).

Feature	GeForce FX 5200SE	GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
G3D Mark Score	12	17+42%
Architecture	Rankine	Rankine
Process Node	40 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	288	384+33%
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.8479 TFLOPS	1.263 TFLOPS+49%
ROPs	24	32+33%
TMUs	48	64+33%
L1 Cache	384 KB	512 KB+33%
L2 Cache	384 KB	512 KB+33%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce FX 5200SE	GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce FX 5200SE has 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra carries 128 MB. GeForce FX 5200SE gives you 300% 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 FX 5200SE and 128-bit on the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra. L2 Cache: 384 KB (GeForce FX 5200SE) vs 512 KB (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra) — the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce FX 5200SE	GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB+300%	0.125 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit
L2 Cache	384 KB	512 KB+33%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 9.0a (GeForce FX 5200SE) vs 9.0a (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra). Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce FX 5200SE	GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
DirectX	9.0a	9.0a
Max Displays	2	2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce FX 5200SE draws 150W versus the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra's 160W — a 6.5% difference. The GeForce FX 5200SE is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce FX 5200SE) vs 350W (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy. Card length: 168mm vs 190mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots.

Feature	GeForce FX 5200SE	GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
TDP	150W-6%	160W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	Legacy
Length	168mm	190mm
Height	100mm	—
Slots	1	1
Temp (Load)	70	—
Perf/Watt	0.1	0.1

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce FX 5200SE came in at $99, while the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra launched at $199. On MSRP, GeForce FX 5200SE was 50.3% cheaper ($100 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.1 (GeForce FX 5200SE) vs 0.1 (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra) — the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra offers 0% better value. The newer card here is GeForce FX 5200SE (2012 vs 2011).

Feature	GeForce FX 5200SE	GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
MSRP	$99-50%	$199
Performance per Dollar	0.1	0.1
Codename	GF114	GF114
Release	February 20 2012	January 25 2011
Ranking	#706	#580

Search GeForce FX 5200SE on Amazon

Search GeForce FX 5600 Ultra 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.