RADEON 9500 vs RADEON 9600 XT
RADEON 9500
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RADEON 9600 XT
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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 RADEON 9500 is positioned at rank 737 and the RADEON 9600 XT is on rank 370, so the RADEON 9600 XT offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar RADEON 9500
Performance Per Dollar RADEON 9600 XT
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The RADEON 9600 XT is significantly newer (2022 vs 2015). The RADEON 9600 XT likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The RADEON 9500 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The RADEON 9500 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.9% higher G3D Mark score. However, the RADEON 9600 XT offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | RADEON 9500 | RADEON 9600 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.9%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.9%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 3.0 (2014−2019)) | RDNA 3.0 (2022−2026) (5nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The RADEON 9600 XT offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $15 versus $30 for the RADEON 9500, it costs 50% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 94.4% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | RADEON 9500 | RADEON 9600 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+94.4%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($30) | ✅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 RADEON 9500 and RADEON 9600 XT
RADEON 9500
The RADEON 9500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in September 29 2015. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 735 MHz to 1000 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 95W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 36 points.
RADEON 9600 XT
The RADEON 9600 XT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 3 2022. It features the RDNA 3.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1387 MHz to 2394 MHz. It has 5376 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 84 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 35 points. Launch price was $899.
Graphics Performance
The RADEON 9500 scores 36 and the RADEON 9600 XT reaches 35 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The RADEON 9500 is built on GCN 3.0 while the RADEON 9600 XT uses RDNA 3.0, both on 28 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (RADEON 9500) vs 5,376 (RADEON 9600 XT). Raw compute: 4.096 TFLOPS (RADEON 9500) vs 51.48 TFLOPS (RADEON 9600 XT). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 2394 MHz.
| Feature | RADEON 9500 | RADEON 9600 XT |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 36+3% | 35 |
| Architecture | GCN 3.0 | RDNA 3.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 5 nm |
| Shading Units | 2048 | 5376+163% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 4.096 TFLOPS | 51.48 TFLOPS+1157% |
| Boost Clock | 1000 MHz | 2394 MHz+139% |
| ROPs | 32 | 192+500% |
| TMUs | 128 | 336+163% |
| L1 Cache | 0.5 MB | 3 MB+500% |
| L2 Cache | 0.5 MB | 6 MB+1100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | RADEON 9500 | RADEON 9600 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The RADEON 9500 comes with 128 MB of VRAM, while the RADEON 9600 XT has 256 MB. The RADEON 9600 XT offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (RADEON 9500) vs 6 MB (RADEON 9600 XT) — the RADEON 9600 XT has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | RADEON 9500 | RADEON 9600 XT |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.125 GB | 0.25 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 0.5 MB | 6 MB+1100% |
Power & Dimensions
The RADEON 9500 draws 95W versus the RADEON 9600 XT's 300W — a 103.8% difference. The RADEON 9500 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (RADEON 9500) vs 350W (RADEON 9600 XT). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy.
| Feature | RADEON 9500 | RADEON 9600 XT |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 95W-68% | 300W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | Legacy |
| Perf/Watt | 0.4+300% | 0.1 |
Value Analysis
The RADEON 9500 launched at $179 MSRP and currently averages $30, while the RADEON 9600 XT launched at $199 and now averages $15. The RADEON 9600 XT costs 50% less ($15 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 1.2 (RADEON 9500) vs 2.3 (RADEON 9600 XT) — the RADEON 9600 XT offers 91.7% better value. The RADEON 9600 XT is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2015).
| Feature | RADEON 9500 | RADEON 9600 XT |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $179-10% | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30 | $15-50% |
| Performance per Dollar | 1.2 | 2.3+92% |
| Codename | Amethyst | Navi 31 |
| Release | September 29 2015 | November 3 2022 |
| Ranking | #420 | #21 |
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