GeForce FX 5600 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 5600 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 5600 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 5600

2011

Why buy it

✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (256 MB vs 128 MB).
✅Measures 180mm instead of 190mm, a 10mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.
✅More future proof: Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014) on 40nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (13 vs 17).
❌2011 hardware with 256 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌
0.5% HIGHER MSRP
$200 MSRPvs$199 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.1 vs 0.1 G3D/$ ($200 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

GeForce FX 5600 Ultra

2011

Why buy it

✅+30.8% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $1 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Delivers 31.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 0.1 vs 0.1 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 128 MB vs 256 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.

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 30.8% in PassMark G3D (17 vs 13), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.

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

GeForce FX 5600 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 256 MB vs 128 MB of VRAM. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce FX 5600 Ultra makes the most sense to buy today. It is $1 cheaper on MSRP at $199 vs $200, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 31.4% (0.1 vs 0.1), so the value case lines up with the gaming result. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce FX 5600 Ultra is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce FX 5600 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce FX 5600 vs GeForce FX 5600 Ultra Technical Specifications

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

GeForce FX 5600

The GeForce FX 5600 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 17 2011. It features the Rankine architecture. The core clock speed is 810 MHz. It has 336 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 13 points. Launch price was $199.

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.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce FX 5600 scores 13 versus the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra's 17 — the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra leads by 30.8%. The GeForce FX 5600 is built on Rankine while the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra uses Rankine, both on a 40 nm process. Shader units: 336 (GeForce FX 5600) vs 384 (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra). Raw compute: 1.089 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5600) vs 1.263 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra).

Feature	GeForce FX 5600	GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
G3D Mark Score	13	17+31%
Architecture	Rankine	Rankine
Process Node	40 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	336	384+14%
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.089 TFLOPS	1.263 TFLOPS+16%
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	56	64+14%
L1 Cache	448 KB	512 KB+14%
L2 Cache	512 KB	512 KB

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce FX 5600	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

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce FX 5600 has 256 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra carries 128 MB. GeForce FX 5600 gives you 100% 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 5600 and 128-bit on the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra.

Feature	GeForce FX 5600	GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
VRAM Capacity	0.25 GB+100%	0.125 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit
L2 Cache	512 KB	512 KB

🖥️

Display & API Support

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

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

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce FX 5600 draws 150W versus the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra's 160W — a 6.5% difference. The GeForce FX 5600 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce FX 5600) vs 350W (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy. Card length: 180mm vs 190mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots.

Feature	GeForce FX 5600	GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
TDP	150W-6%	160W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	Legacy
Length	180mm	190mm
Height	111mm	—
Slots	1	1
Temp (Load)	70°C	—
Perf/Watt	0.1	0.1

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Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce FX 5600 came in at $200, while the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra launched at $199. On MSRP, GeForce FX 5600 Ultra was 0.5% cheaper ($1 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.1 (GeForce FX 5600) vs 0.1 (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra) — the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra offers 0% better value.

Feature	GeForce FX 5600	GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
MSRP	$200	$199
Performance per Dollar	0.1	0.1
Codename	GF114	GF114
Release	May 17 2011	January 25 2011
Ranking	#605	#580

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