GeForce FX 5600 Ultra vs RADEON 9800 SE
GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
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RADEON 9800 SE
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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. The GeForce FX 5600 Ultra is positioned at rank #377 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The RADEON 9800 SE is significantly newer (2025 vs 2011). The RADEON 9800 SE likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce FX 5600 Ultra lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The RADEON 9800 SE is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 41.2% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (256 MB vs 128 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra.
| Insight | GeForce FX 5600 Ultra | RADEON 9800 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-41.2%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+41.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014)) | RDNA 3.5 (2024−2025) (4nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce FX 5600 Ultra offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $20 versus $30 for the RADEON 9800 SE, it costs 33% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 6.2% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce FX 5600 Ultra | RADEON 9800 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+6.2%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($20) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($30) |
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 FX 5600 Ultra and RADEON 9800 SE
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.
RADEON 9800 SE
The RADEON 9800 SE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 6 2025. It features the RDNA 3.5 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1295 MHz to 2900 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 55W. Manufactured using 4 nm process technology. It features 40 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 24 points.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra scores 17 versus the RADEON 9800 SE's 24 — the RADEON 9800 SE leads by 41.2%. The GeForce FX 5600 Ultra is built on Rankine while the RADEON 9800 SE uses RDNA 3.5, both on 40 nm vs 4 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra) vs 2,560 (RADEON 9800 SE). Raw compute: 1.263 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra) vs 14.85 TFLOPS (RADEON 9800 SE).
| Feature | GeForce FX 5600 Ultra | RADEON 9800 SE |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 17 | 24+41% |
| Architecture | Rankine | RDNA 3.5 |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 4 nm |
| Shading Units | 384 | 2560+567% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.263 TFLOPS | 14.85 TFLOPS+1076% |
| ROPs | 32 | 64+100% |
| TMUs | 64 | 160+150% |
| L2 Cache | 0.5 MB | 8 MB+1500% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce FX 5600 Ultra | RADEON 9800 SE |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FX 5600 Ultra comes with 128 MB of VRAM, while the RADEON 9800 SE has 256 MB. The RADEON 9800 SE offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra) vs 8 MB (RADEON 9800 SE) — the RADEON 9800 SE has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce FX 5600 Ultra | RADEON 9800 SE |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.125 GB | 0.25 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 0.5 MB | 8 MB+1500% |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce FX 5600 Ultra draws 160W versus the RADEON 9800 SE's 55W — a 97.7% difference. The RADEON 9800 SE is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra) vs 350W (RADEON 9800 SE). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy.
| Feature | GeForce FX 5600 Ultra | RADEON 9800 SE |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 160W | 55W-66% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | Legacy |
| Length | 190mm | — |
| Slots | 1 | — |
| Perf/Watt | 0.1 | 0.4+300% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce FX 5600 Ultra launched at $199 MSRP and currently averages $20, while the RADEON 9800 SE launched at $0 and now averages $30. The GeForce FX 5600 Ultra costs 33.3% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 0.8 (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra) vs 0.8 (RADEON 9800 SE) — the RADEON 9800 SE offers 0% better value. The RADEON 9800 SE is the newer GPU (2025 vs 2011).
| Feature | GeForce FX 5600 Ultra | RADEON 9800 SE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199 | $0-100% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20-33% | $30 |
| Performance per Dollar | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| Codename | GF114 | Strix Halo |
| Release | January 25 2011 | January 6 2025 |
| Ranking | #580 | #98 |
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