GeForce FX 5900 vs GeForce 6500
GeForce FX 5900
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GeForce 6500
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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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The GeForce FX 5900 is positioned at rank 377 and the GeForce 6500 is on rank 359, so the GeForce 6500 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce FX 5900
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 6500
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce 6500 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 8.6% 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 5900.
| Insight | GeForce FX 5900 | GeForce 6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-8.6%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+8.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018)) |
| 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 | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce 6500 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce 6500 holds the technical lead. Priced at $5 (vs $20), it costs 75% less, resulting in a 334.3% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce FX 5900 | GeForce 6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+334.3%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($20) | ✅More affordable ($5) |
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 5900 and GeForce 6500
GeForce FX 5900
The GeForce FX 5900 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 24 2011. It features the Rankine architecture. The core clock speed is 607 MHz. It has 1024 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 365W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 35 points. Launch price was $699.
GeForce 6500
The GeForce 6500 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 6 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 1058 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 65W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 38 points. Launch price was $109.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce FX 5900 scores 35 versus the GeForce 6500's 38 — the GeForce 6500 leads by 8.6%. The GeForce FX 5900 is built on Rankine while the GeForce 6500 uses Kepler, both on 40 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce FX 5900) vs 384 (GeForce 6500). Raw compute: 1.244 TFLOPS ×2 (GeForce FX 5900) vs 0.8125 TFLOPS (GeForce 6500).
| Feature | GeForce FX 5900 | GeForce 6500 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 35 | 38+9% |
| Architecture | Rankine | Kepler |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1024 ×2+167% | 384 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.244 TFLOPS ×2+53% | 0.8125 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 48 ×2+200% | 16 |
| TMUs | 64 ×2+100% | 32 |
| L1 Cache | 1 MB+3233% | 0.03 MB |
| L2 Cache | 768 KB+200% | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce FX 5900 | GeForce 6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce FX 5900 comes with 128 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce 6500 has 256 MB. The GeForce 6500 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 768 KB (GeForce FX 5900) vs 256 KB (GeForce 6500) — the GeForce FX 5900 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce FX 5900 | GeForce 6500 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.125 GB | 0.25 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 768 KB+200% | 256 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 9.0a (GeForce FX 5900) vs 9.0c (GeForce 6500). OpenGL: 1.5 vs 2.1. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce FX 5900 | GeForce 6500 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 9.0a | 9.0c |
| OpenGL | 1.5 | 2.1+40% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce FX 5900 draws 365W versus the GeForce 6500's 65W — a 139.5% difference. The GeForce 6500 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce FX 5900) vs 350W (GeForce 6500). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy. Card length: 218mm vs 168mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots.
| Feature | GeForce FX 5900 | GeForce 6500 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 365W | 65W-82% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | Legacy |
| Length | 218mm | 168mm |
| Height | — | 100mm |
| Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | — | 65°C |
| Perf/Watt | 0.1 | 0.6+500% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce FX 5900 launched at $399 MSRP and currently averages $20, while the GeForce 6500 launched at $100 and now averages $5. The GeForce 6500 costs 75% less ($15 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 1.8 (GeForce FX 5900) vs 7.6 (GeForce 6500) — the GeForce 6500 offers 322.2% better value. The GeForce 6500 is the newer GPU (2012 vs 2011).
| Feature | GeForce FX 5900 | GeForce 6500 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $399 | $100-75% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20 | $5-75% |
| Performance per Dollar | 1.8 | 7.6+322% |
| Codename | GF110 | GK107 |
| Release | March 24 2011 | September 6 2012 |
| Ranking | #555 | #719 |
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