RADEON 9600 XT vs RADEON X300SE

AMD

RADEON 9600 XT

2022Core: 1387 MHzBoost: 2394 MHz
VS
AMD

RADEON X300SE

2020Core: 1327 MHzBoost: 1645 MHz

RADEON 9600 XT vs RADEON X300SE 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.

RADEON 9600 XT vs RADEON X300SE 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.

RADEON 9600 XT vs RADEON X300SE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

RADEON 9600 XT

2022

Why buy it

  • Better long-term bet: RDNA 3.0 (2022−2026) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
  • More future proof: RDNA 3.0 (2022−2026) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (35 vs 38).
  • Less VRAM, with 256 MB vs 512 MB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 231.7% HIGHER MSRP
    $199 MSRPvs$60 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.2 vs 0.6 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
  • 200% higher power demand at 300W vs 100W.

RADEON X300SE

2020

Why buy it

  • +8.6% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Costs $139 less on MSRP ($60 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • Delivers 260.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 0.6 vs 0.2 G3D/$ ($60 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (512 MB vs 256 MB).
  • Draws 100W instead of 300W, a 200W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Older hardware, 512 MB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
RADEON X300SE is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 8.6% in PassMark G3D (38 vs 35), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
RADEON 9600 XT is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 5nm process instead of 7nm, 84 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2022 generation instead of 2020. That gives it the more rounded hardware package for newer games.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
RADEON X300SE makes the most sense to buy today. It is $139 cheaper on MSRP at $60 vs $199, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 260.1% (0.6 vs 0.2), so the value case lines up with the gaming result. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, RADEON X300SE is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, RADEON 9600 XT has the stronger long-term case.

RADEON 9600 XT vs RADEON X300SE Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

AMD

RADEON X300SE

The RADEON X300SE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 28 2020. It features the RDNA 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1327 MHz to 1645 MHz. It has 1408 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 7 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 38 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the RADEON 9600 XT scores 35 versus the RADEON X300SE's 38 — the RADEON X300SE leads by 8.6%. The RADEON 9600 XT is built on RDNA 3.0 while the RADEON X300SE uses RDNA 1.0, both on 5 nm vs 7 nm. Shader units: 5,376 (RADEON 9600 XT) vs 1,408 (RADEON X300SE). Raw compute: 51.48 TFLOPS (RADEON 9600 XT) vs 4.632 TFLOPS (RADEON X300SE). Boost clocks: 2394 MHz vs 1645 MHz.

FeatureRADEON 9600 XTRADEON X300SE
G3D Mark Score
35
38+9%
Architecture
RDNA 3.0
RDNA 1.0
Process Node
5 nm
7 nm
Shading Units
5376+282%
1408
Compute (TFLOPS)
51.48 TFLOPS+1011%
4.632 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
2394 MHz+46%
1645 MHz
ROPs
192+500%
32
TMUs
336+282%
88
L2 Cache
6 MB+300%
1.5 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureRADEON 9600 XTRADEON X300SE
Upscaling Tech
FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
AMD Anti-Lag
AMD Anti-Lag
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The RADEON 9600 XT has 256 MB of VRAM, while the RADEON X300SE carries 512 MB. RADEON X300SE gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the RADEON 9600 XT and 64-bit on the RADEON X300SE. L2 Cache: 6 MB (RADEON 9600 XT) vs 1.5 MB (RADEON X300SE) — the RADEON 9600 XT has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureRADEON 9600 XTRADEON X300SE
VRAM Capacity
0.25 GB
0.5 GB+100%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
64-bit
64-bit
L2 Cache
6 MB+300%
1.5 MB
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The RADEON 9600 XT draws 300W versus the RADEON X300SE's 100W — a 100% difference. The RADEON X300SE is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (RADEON 9600 XT) vs 350W (RADEON X300SE). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy.

FeatureRADEON 9600 XTRADEON X300SE
TDP
300W
100W-67%
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
Legacy
Legacy
Perf/Watt
0.1
0.4+300%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the RADEON 9600 XT came in at $199, while the RADEON X300SE launched at $60. On MSRP, RADEON X300SE was 69.8% cheaper ($139 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.2 (RADEON 9600 XT) vs 0.6 (RADEON X300SE) — the RADEON X300SE offers 200% better value. The newer card here is RADEON 9600 XT (2022 vs 2020).

FeatureRADEON 9600 XTRADEON X300SE
MSRP
$199
$60-70%
Performance per Dollar
0.2
0.6+200%
Codename
Navi 31
Navi 14
Release
November 3 2022
May 28 2020
Ranking
#21
#336

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