CPU
GPU
Radeon R5 230
Popular choices:
GeForce 9500 GS
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 R5 230 is positioned at rank 500 and the GeForce 9500 GS is on rank 644, so the Radeon R5 230 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon R5 230
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 9500 GS
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Radeon R5 230 is significantly newer (2017 vs 2008). The Radeon R5 230 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce 9500 GS lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon R5 230 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.8% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce 9500 GS.
| Insight | Radeon R5 230 | GeForce 9500 GS |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.8%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.8%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / GCN 3.0 (2014−2019)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / G9x (2007−2010)) |
| 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 GeForce 9500 GS offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce 9500 GS holds the technical lead. Priced at $10 (vs $25), it costs 60% less, resulting in a 143.2% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R5 230 | GeForce 9500 GS |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+143.2%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($25) | ✅More affordable ($10) |
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.
Counter-Strike 2
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Radeon R5 230 and GeForce 9500 GS
Radeon R5 230
The Radeon R5 230 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 18 2017. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 730 MHz to 1024 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 222 points.
GeForce 9500 GS
The GeForce 9500 GS 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: 216 points.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R5 230 scores 222 and the GeForce 9500 GS reaches 216 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R5 230 is built on GCN 3.0 while the GeForce 9500 GS uses G9x, both on 28 nm vs 65 nm. Shader units: 384 (Radeon R5 230) vs 224 (GeForce 9500 GS).
| Feature | Radeon R5 230 | GeForce 9500 GS |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 222+3% | 216 |
| Architecture | GCN 3.0 | G9x |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 65 nm |
| Shading Units | 384+71% | 224 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R5 230 | GeForce 9500 GS |
|---|---|---|
| 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 R5 230 | GeForce 9500 GS |
|---|---|---|
| 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 R5 230) vs 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce 9500 GS). Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | Radeon R5 230 | GeForce 9500 GS |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.2 | 11.1 (10_0) |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: UVD 2.2 (Radeon R5 230) vs PureVideo HD (GeForce 9500 GS). Decoder: UVD 2.2 vs PureVideo HD.
| Feature | Radeon R5 230 | GeForce 9500 GS |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | UVD 2.2 | PureVideo HD |
| Decoder | UVD 2.2 | PureVideo HD |
| Codecs | — | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R5 230 draws 50W versus the GeForce 9500 GS's 150W — a 100% difference. The Radeon R5 230 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R5 230) vs 350W (GeForce 9500 GS). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs Legacy. Card length: 168mm vs 168mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots.
| Feature | Radeon R5 230 | GeForce 9500 GS |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 50W-67% | 150W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | Legacy |
| Length | 168mm | 168mm |
| Height | — | 111mm |
| Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | — | 80 |
| Perf/Watt | 4.4+214% | 1.4 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R5 230 launched at $50 MSRP and currently averages $25, while the GeForce 9500 GS launched at $110 and now averages $10. The GeForce 9500 GS costs 60% less ($15 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 8.9 (Radeon R5 230) vs 21.6 (GeForce 9500 GS) — the GeForce 9500 GS offers 142.7% better value. The Radeon R5 230 is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2008).
| Feature | Radeon R5 230 | GeForce 9500 GS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $50-55% | $110 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $25 | $10-60% |
| Performance per Dollar | 8.9 | 21.6+143% |
| Codename | Weston | NB9E-GTX |
| Release | April 18 2017 | July 15 2008 |
| Ranking | #873 | #825 |
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