Radeon R3 vs GeForce 9600 GSO
Radeon R3
Popular choices:
GeForce 9600 GSO
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Radeon R3 is positioned at rank 438 and the GeForce 9600 GSO is on rank 615, so the Radeon R3 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon R3
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 9600 GSO
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Radeon R3 is significantly newer (2019 vs 2008). The Radeon R3 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce 9600 GSO lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce 9600 GSO is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.9% higher G3D Mark score and 200% more VRAM (2 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon R3.
| Insight | Radeon R3 | GeForce 9600 GSO |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.9%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.9%) |
| Longevity | GCN 4.0 (2016−2020) (14nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / G9x (2007−2010)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+200%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce 9600 GSO offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $25 versus $50 for the Radeon R3, it costs 50% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 105.7% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R3 | GeForce 9600 GSO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+105.7%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($50) | ✅More affordable ($25) |
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 R3 and GeForce 9600 GSO
Radeon R3
The Radeon R3 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 13 2019. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1082 MHz to 1218 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 314 points.
GeForce 9600 GSO
The GeForce 9600 GSO 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: 323 points.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R3 scores 314 and the GeForce 9600 GSO reaches 323 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R3 is built on GCN 4.0 while the GeForce 9600 GSO uses G9x, both on 14 nm vs 65 nm. Shader units: 512 (Radeon R3) vs 224 (GeForce 9600 GSO).
| Feature | Radeon R3 | GeForce 9600 GSO |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 314 | 323+3% |
| Architecture | GCN 4.0 | G9x |
| Process Node | 14 nm | 65 nm |
| Shading Units | 512+129% | 224 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R3 | GeForce 9600 GSO |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
The Radeon R3 comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce 9600 GSO has 2 GB. The GeForce 9600 GSO offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 64-bit.
| Feature | Radeon R3 | GeForce 9600 GSO |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 1.5 GB+200% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 64-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (12_0) (Radeon R3) vs 10.0 (GeForce 9600 GSO). Vulkan: 1.2 vs None. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | Radeon R3 | GeForce 9600 GSO |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (12_0)+20% | 10.0 |
| Vulkan | 1.2 | None |
| OpenGL | 4.6+39% | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 2.0 (Radeon R3) vs No (GeForce 9600 GSO). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs PureVideo HD VP2. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 (Radeon R3) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (GeForce 9600 GSO).
| Feature | Radeon R3 | GeForce 9600 GSO |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 2.0 | No |
| Decoder | UVD 4.2 | PureVideo HD VP2 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R3 draws 50W versus the GeForce 9600 GSO's 150W — a 100% difference. The Radeon R3 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R3) vs 350W (GeForce 9600 GSO). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs Legacy. Typical load temperature: 70°C vs 90°C.
| Feature | Radeon R3 | GeForce 9600 GSO |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 50W-67% | 150W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | Legacy |
| Length | — | 229mm |
| Height | — | 111mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | 70°C-22% | 90°C |
| Perf/Watt | 6.3+186% | 2.2 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R3 launched at $50 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the GeForce 9600 GSO launched at $129 and now averages $25. The GeForce 9600 GSO costs 50% less ($25 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 6.3 (Radeon R3) vs 12.9 (GeForce 9600 GSO) — the GeForce 9600 GSO offers 104.8% better value. The Radeon R3 is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2008).
| Feature | Radeon R3 | GeForce 9600 GSO |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $50-61% | $129 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50 | $25-50% |
| Performance per Dollar | 6.3 | 12.9+105% |
| Codename | Polaris 23 | NB9E-GTX |
| Release | May 13 2019 | July 15 2008 |
| Ranking | #757 | #825 |
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