Radeon HD 6230 vs GeForce 8600 GTS
Radeon HD 6230
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GeForce 8600 GTS
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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 HD 6230 is positioned at rank 273 and the GeForce 8600 GTS is on rank 698, so the Radeon HD 6230 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 6230
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 8600 GTS
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce 8600 GTS is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3.4% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 6230.
| Insight | Radeon HD 6230 | GeForce 8600 GTS |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-3.4%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+3.4%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / TeraScale 3 (2010−2013)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / G9x (2007−2010)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon HD 6230 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon HD 6230 holds the technical lead. Priced at $10 (vs $35), it costs 71% less, resulting in a 238.6% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon HD 6230 | GeForce 8600 GTS |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+238.6%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($10) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($35) |
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 HD 6230 and GeForce 8600 GTS
Radeon HD 6230
The Radeon HD 6230 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in December 1 2011. It features the TeraScale 3 architecture. The core clock speed is 750 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 186W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 179 points. Launch price was $180.
GeForce 8600 GTS
The GeForce 8600 GTS is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 15 2008. It features the G9x architecture. The core clock speed is 500 MHz. It has 224 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 65 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 185 points.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon HD 6230 scores 179 and the GeForce 8600 GTS reaches 185 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 6230 is built on TeraScale 3 while the GeForce 8600 GTS uses G9x, both on 40 nm vs 65 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (Radeon HD 6230) vs 224 (GeForce 8600 GTS).
| Feature | Radeon HD 6230 | GeForce 8600 GTS |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 179 | 185+3% |
| Architecture | TeraScale 3 | G9x |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 65 nm |
| Shading Units | 1280+471% | 224 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 6230 | GeForce 8600 GTS |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 512 MB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit.
| Feature | Radeon HD 6230 | GeForce 8600 GTS |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.2 (Radeon HD 6230) vs 10.0 (GeForce 8600 GTS). Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | Radeon HD 6230 | GeForce 8600 GTS |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.2+12% | 10.0 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: UVD 2.2 (Radeon HD 6230) vs No (GeForce 8600 GTS). Decoder: UVD 2.2 vs PureVideo HD VP2.
| Feature | Radeon HD 6230 | GeForce 8600 GTS |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | UVD 2.2 | No |
| Decoder | UVD 2.2 | PureVideo HD VP2 |
| Codecs | — | MPEG-2,H.264 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 6230 draws 186W versus the GeForce 8600 GTS's 150W — a 21.4% difference. The GeForce 8600 GTS is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon HD 6230) vs 350W (GeForce 8600 GTS). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs Legacy. Card length: 168mm vs 198mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots.
| Feature | Radeon HD 6230 | GeForce 8600 GTS |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 186W | 150W-19% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | Legacy |
| Length | 168mm | 198mm |
| Height | — | 111mm |
| Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | — | 85°C |
| Perf/Watt | 1.0 | 1.2+20% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 6230 launched at $50 MSRP and currently averages $10, while the GeForce 8600 GTS launched at $199 and now averages $35. The Radeon HD 6230 costs 71.4% less ($25 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 17.9 (Radeon HD 6230) vs 5.3 (GeForce 8600 GTS) — the Radeon HD 6230 offers 237.7% better value. The Radeon HD 6230 is the newer GPU (2011 vs 2008).
| Feature | Radeon HD 6230 | GeForce 8600 GTS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $50-75% | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $10-71% | $35 |
| Performance per Dollar | 17.9+238% | 5.3 |
| Codename | Cayman | NB9E-GTX |
| Release | December 1 2011 | July 15 2008 |
| Ranking | #598 | #825 |
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The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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