GeForce GT 230 vs GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT
GeForce GT 230
Popular choices:
GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT
Popular choices:
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 GT 230 is positioned at rank 171 and the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT is on rank 266, so the GeForce GT 230 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 230
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.6% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GT 230.
| Insight | GeForce GT 230 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.6%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT holds the technical lead. Priced at $15 (vs $44), it costs 66% less, resulting in a 195.1% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GT 230 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+195.1%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($44) | ✅More affordable ($15) |
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 GT 230 and GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT
GeForce GT 230
The GeForce GT 230 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 17 2017. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1228 MHz to 1468 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 323 points. Launch price was $79.
GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT
The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 26 2017. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1506 MHz to 1709 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 325 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GT 230 scores 323 and the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT reaches 325 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GT 230 is built on Pascal while the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT uses Pascal, both on 14 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce GT 230) vs 1,280 (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT). Raw compute: 1.127 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 230) vs 4.375 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT). Boost clocks: 1468 MHz vs 1709 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GT 230 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 323 | 325 |
| Architecture | Pascal | Pascal |
| Process Node | 14 nm | 16 nm |
| Shading Units | 384 | 1280+233% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.127 TFLOPS | 4.375 TFLOPS+288% |
| Boost Clock | 1468 MHz | 1709 MHz+16% |
| ROPs | 16 | 40+150% |
| TMUs | 24 | 80+233% |
| L1 Cache | 144 KB | 480 KB+233% |
| L2 Cache | 0.5 MB | 1.25 MB+150% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GT 230 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
Both cards feature 512 MB of GDDR5. Bus width: 64-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (GeForce GT 230) vs 1.25 MB (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT) — the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GT 230 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 0.5 MB | 1.25 MB+150% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 10.0 (GeForce GT 230) vs 10.0 (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT). Vulkan: None vs N/A. OpenGL: 3.3 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GT 230 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Vulkan | None | N/A |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 4+100% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: No (GeForce GT 230) vs None (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP3 vs PureVideo VP2. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (GeForce GT 230) vs MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264 (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT).
| Feature | GeForce GT 230 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | No | None |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP3 | PureVideo VP2 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 | MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GT 230 draws 30W versus the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT's 120W — a 120% difference. The GeForce GT 230 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GT 230) vs 350W (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs None. Card length: 168mm vs 168mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce GT 230 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 30W-75% | 120W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | None |
| Length | 168mm | 168mm |
| Height | 111mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | 75 |
| Perf/Watt | 10.8+300% | 2.7 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GT 230 launched at $44 MSRP and currently averages $44, while the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT launched at $85 and now averages $15. The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT costs 65.9% less ($29 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 7.3 (GeForce GT 230) vs 21.7 (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT) — the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT offers 197.3% better value.
| Feature | GeForce GT 230 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $44-48% | $85 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $44 | $15-66% |
| Performance per Dollar | 7.3 | 21.7+197% |
| Codename | GP108 | GP106 |
| Release | May 17 2017 | December 26 2017 |
| Ranking | #641 | #289 |
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