
RADEON 9600SE vs RADEON A9800XT

RADEON 9600SE
Popular choices:

RADEON A9800XT
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. The RADEON 9600SE is positioned at rank #723 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar RADEON 9600SE
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The RADEON 9600SE is significantly newer (2025 vs 2015). The RADEON 9600SE likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The RADEON A9800XT lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The RADEON 9600SE is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 17.4% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the RADEON A9800XT.
| Insight | RADEON 9600SE | RADEON A9800XT |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+17.4%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-17.4%) |
| Longevity | RDNA 3.5 (2024−2025) (4nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 3.0 (2014−2019)) |
| 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 RADEON A9800XT offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $30 versus $65 for the RADEON 9600SE, it costs 54% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 84.6% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | RADEON 9600SE | RADEON A9800XT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+84.6%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($65) | ✅More affordable ($30) |
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 9600SE and RADEON A9800XT

RADEON 9600SE
The RADEON 9600SE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 6 2025. It features the RDNA 3.5 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1295 MHz to 2900 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 55W. Manufactured using 4 nm process technology. It features 40 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 27 points.

RADEON A9800XT
The RADEON A9800XT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 19 2015. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 970 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 23 points. Launch price was $229.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the RADEON 9600SE scores 27 versus the RADEON A9800XT's 23 — the RADEON 9600SE leads by 17.4%. The RADEON 9600SE is built on RDNA 3.5 while the RADEON A9800XT uses GCN 3.0, both on 4 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (RADEON 9600SE) vs 2,048 (RADEON A9800XT). Raw compute: 14.85 TFLOPS (RADEON 9600SE) vs 3.973 TFLOPS (RADEON A9800XT). Boost clocks: 2900 MHz vs 970 MHz.
| Feature | RADEON 9600SE | RADEON A9800XT |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 27+17% | 23 |
| Architecture | RDNA 3.5 | GCN 3.0 |
| Process Node | 4 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560+25% | 2048 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 14.85 TFLOPS+274% | 3.973 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 2900 MHz+199% | 970 MHz |
| ROPs | 64+100% | 32 |
| TMUs | 160+25% | 128 |
| L2 Cache | 8 MB+1500% | 0.5 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | RADEON 9600SE | RADEON A9800XT |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
Both cards feature 512 MB of GDDR5. Bus width: 64-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 8 MB (RADEON 9600SE) vs 0.5 MB (RADEON A9800XT) — the RADEON 9600SE has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | RADEON 9600SE | RADEON A9800XT |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 8 MB+1500% | 0.5 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 9.0 (RADEON 9600SE) vs 9_0 (RADEON A9800XT). Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | RADEON 9600SE | RADEON A9800XT |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 9.0 | 9_0 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Power & Dimensions
The RADEON 9600SE draws 55W versus the RADEON A9800XT's 250W — a 127.9% difference. The RADEON 9600SE is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (RADEON 9600SE) vs 350W (RADEON A9800XT). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy. Card length: 168mm vs 220mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots.
| Feature | RADEON 9600SE | RADEON A9800XT |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 55W-78% | 250W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | Legacy |
| Length | 168mm | 220mm |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | 60 | — |
| Perf/Watt | 0.5+400% | 0.1 |
Value Analysis
The RADEON 9600SE launched at $65 MSRP and currently averages $65, while the RADEON A9800XT launched at $0 and now averages $30. The RADEON A9800XT costs 53.8% less ($35 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 0.4 (RADEON 9600SE) vs 0.8 (RADEON A9800XT) — the RADEON A9800XT offers 100% better value. The RADEON 9600SE is the newer GPU (2025 vs 2015).
| Feature | RADEON 9600SE | RADEON A9800XT |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $65 | $0-100% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $65 | $30-54% |
| Performance per Dollar | 0.4 | 0.8+100% |
| Codename | Strix Halo | Antigua |
| Release | January 6 2025 | November 19 2015 |
| Ranking | #98 | #394 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.











