GeForce FX 5600 vs GeForce FX 5600XT

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 5600XT 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 5600XT: 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

✅+44.4% higher PassMark G3D performance.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 256 MB vs 512 MB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2011 hardware with 256 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌
55% HIGHER MSRP
$200 MSRPvs$129 MSRP

GeForce FX 5600XT

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $71 less on MSRP ($129 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (512 MB vs 256 MB).
✅More future proof: Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014) on 40nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (9 vs 13).
❌2011 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 FX 5600 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 44.4% in PassMark G3D (13 vs 9), 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 because it comes out ahead on the available hardware-headroom signals for this matchup.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce FX 5600XT makes the most sense to buy today. It is $71 cheaper on MSRP at $129 vs $200, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 7.3% (0.1 vs 0.1), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce FX 5600XT 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 5600XT 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 5600XT

The GeForce FX 5600XT 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: 9 points. Launch price was $199.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce FX 5600 scores 13 versus the GeForce FX 5600XT's 9 — the GeForce FX 5600 leads by 44.4%. The GeForce FX 5600 is built on Rankine while the GeForce FX 5600XT uses Rankine, both on a 40 nm process. Shader units: 336 (GeForce FX 5600) vs 336 (GeForce FX 5600XT). Raw compute: 1.089 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5600) vs 1.089 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5600XT).

Feature	GeForce FX 5600	GeForce FX 5600XT
G3D Mark Score	13+44%	9
Architecture	Rankine	Rankine
Process Node	40 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	336	336
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.089 TFLOPS	1.089 TFLOPS
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	56	56
L1 Cache	448 KB	448 KB
L2 Cache	512 KB	512 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce FX 5600	GeForce FX 5600XT
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 5600 has 256 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce FX 5600XT carries 512 MB. GeForce FX 5600XT 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 5600XT.

Feature	GeForce FX 5600	GeForce FX 5600XT
VRAM Capacity	0.25 GB	0.5 GB+100%
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 5600XT). OpenGL: 1.5 vs 1.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce FX 5600	GeForce FX 5600XT
DirectX	9.0a	9.0a
OpenGL	1.5	1.5
Max Displays	2	2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce FX 5600 draws 150W versus the GeForce FX 5600XT's 150W — a 0% difference. The GeForce FX 5600XT is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce FX 5600) vs 350W (GeForce FX 5600XT). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy. Typical load temperature: 70°C vs 55°C.

Feature	GeForce FX 5600	GeForce FX 5600XT
TDP	150W	150W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	Legacy
Length	180mm	—
Height	111mm	—
Slots	1	1
Temp (Load)	70°C	55°C-21%
Perf/Watt	0.1	0.1

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce FX 5600 came in at $200, while the GeForce FX 5600XT launched at $129. On MSRP, GeForce FX 5600XT was 35.5% cheaper ($71 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.1 (GeForce FX 5600) vs 0.1 (GeForce FX 5600XT) — the GeForce FX 5600XT offers 0% better value.

Feature	GeForce FX 5600	GeForce FX 5600XT
MSRP	$200	$129-36%
Performance per Dollar	0.1	0.1
Codename	GF114	GF114
Release	May 17 2011	May 17 2011
Ranking	#605	#605

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