GeForce GTX 1650 vs Radeon Steam Deck 8CU

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1650

2019Core: 1485 MHzBoost: 1665 MHz
GTX family
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VS
AMD

Radeon Steam Deck 8CU

2023Boost: 1900 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce GTX 1650 vs Radeon Steam Deck 8CU Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce GTX 1650 vs Radeon Steam Deck 8CU 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 GTX 1650 vs Radeon Steam Deck 8CU: 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 GTX 1650

2019

Why buy it

  • 41.6% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 52.8 vs 0 G3D/$ ($149 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 2 GB).

Trade-offs

  • Older hardware, 4 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.
  • 150% higher power demand at 75W vs 30W.
  • 22800% longer card at 229mm vs 1mm.

Radeon Steam Deck 8CU

2023

Why buy it

  • Better long-term bet: RDNA 2 (2022−2023) on 6nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
  • Draws 30W instead of 75W, a 45W reduction.
  • Measures 1mm instead of 229mm, a 228mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1650 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 52.8 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $149 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce GTX 1650 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 41.6% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 162.3% in PassMark G3D (7,869 vs 3,000), so the answer here is pretty clean.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
Radeon Steam Deck 8CU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: the newer upscaling stack, FSR Upscaling / FSR 4 (2025) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 6nm process instead of 12nm, and a newer 2023 generation instead of 2019. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce GTX 1650 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 1650 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, Radeon Steam Deck 8CU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1650 vs Radeon Steam Deck 8CU Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1650

The GeForce GTX 1650 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 23 2019. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1485 MHz to 1665 MHz. It has 896 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 7,869 points. Launch price was $149.

AMD

Radeon Steam Deck 8CU

The Radeon Steam Deck 8CU is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 9 2023. It features the RDNA 2 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1900 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 6 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,000 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1650 scores 7,869 versus the Radeon Steam Deck 8CU's 3,000 — the GeForce GTX 1650 leads by 162.3%. The GeForce GTX 1650 is built on Turing while the Radeon Steam Deck 8CU uses RDNA 2, both on 12 nm vs 6 nm. Shader units: 896 (GeForce GTX 1650) vs 512 (Radeon Steam Deck 8CU). Boost clocks: 1665 MHz vs 1900 MHz.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1650Radeon Steam Deck 8CU
G3D Mark Score
7,869+162%
3,000
Architecture
Turing
RDNA 2
Process Node
12 nm
6 nm
Shading Units
896+75%
512
Boost Clock
1665 MHz
1900 MHz+14%
L1 Cache
896 KB+75%
512 KB
L2 Cache
1 MB
1 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 1650 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Radeon Steam Deck 8CU leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1650Radeon Steam Deck 8CU
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
AMD Anti-Lag
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1650 has 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon Steam Deck 8CU carries 2 GB. GeForce GTX 1650 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 GTX 1650 and 64-bit on the Radeon Steam Deck 8CU.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1650Radeon Steam Deck 8CU
VRAM Capacity
4 GB+100%
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
128-bit+100%
64-bit
L2 Cache
1 MB
1 MB
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1650) vs 12_0 (Radeon Steam Deck 8CU). Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 0.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1650Radeon Steam Deck 8CU
DirectX
12
12_0
Max Displays
3
0
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 5th gen (Volta) (GeForce GTX 1650) vs VCN 3.0 (Radeon Steam Deck 8CU). Decoder: NVDEC 4th gen vs VCN 3.0.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1650Radeon Steam Deck 8CU
Encoder
NVENC 5th gen (Volta)
VCN 3.0
Decoder
NVDEC 4th gen
VCN 3.0
Codecs
H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1650 draws 75W versus the Radeon Steam Deck 8CU's 30W — a 85.7% difference. The Radeon Steam Deck 8CU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce GTX 1650) vs 350W (Radeon Steam Deck 8CU). Power connectors: None vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 229mm vs 1mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1650Radeon Steam Deck 8CU
TDP
75W
30W-60%
Recommended PSU
300W-14%
350W
Power Connector
None
PCIe-powered
Length
229mm
1mm
Height
111mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
70°C
Perf/Watt
104.9+5%
100.0
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1650 came in at $149, while the Radeon Steam Deck 8CU launched at $0. On MSRP, Radeon Steam Deck 8CU was 100+% cheaper ($149 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 52.8 (GeForce GTX 1650) vs Infinity (Radeon Steam Deck 8CU) — the Radeon Steam Deck 8CU offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Radeon Steam Deck 8CU (2023 vs 2019).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1650Radeon Steam Deck 8CU
MSRP
$149
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
52.8
Infinity
Codename
TU117
RDNA 2 Sephiroth
Release
April 23 2019
November 9 2023
Ranking
#323
#480

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