GeForce 8600 GS
GPU·Budget

GeForce 8600 GS

NVIDIA

G3D Mark

179

MSRP

$100

AVG Price

$15

July 15 2008
150 Watt
G9x (2007−2010)

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.

Overview

The GeForce 8600 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: 179 points.

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce 8600 GS

#622
GeForce 9650M GS
MSRP: $199|Avg: $20
113%
#623
Mobility Radeon HD 545v
MSRP: $49|Avg: $15
112%
#624
GeForce 9600 GSO
MSRP: $129|Avg: $25
108%
#625
108%
#626
Mobility Radeon HD 4550
MSRP: $49|Avg: $15
107%
#627
Radeon HD 8570D + HD 6670 Dual
MSRP: $150|Avg: $100
106%
#628
GeForce 9500 GT
MSRP: $99|Avg: $15
105%
#629
Mobility Radeon HD 540v
MSRP: $50|Avg: $15
105%
#630
105%
#631
Radeon R6
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $49
105%
#632
Radeon R7 M265DX
MSRP: $149|Avg: $40
105%
#633
Radeon HD 8650G + 8600M Dual
MSRP: $200|Avg: $50
103%
#634
GeForce MX230
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
102%
#635
102%
#636
Mobility Radeon HD 5430
MSRP: $49|Avg: $15
101%
#637
GeForce 8600 GS
MSRP: $100|Avg: $15
100%
#638
100%
#639
GeForce 9300M GS
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
99%
#640
Mobility Radeon HD 530v
MSRP: $49|Avg: $15
98%
#641
Radeon R5 330
MSRP: $81|Avg: $45
97%
#642
Radeon HD 7650A
MSRP: $100|Avg: $49
95%
#643
GeForce 8500 GT
MSRP: $89|Avg: $15
94%
#644
GeForce 9200
MSRP: $50|Avg: $15
94%
#645
GeForce 8800 GTX
MSRP: $599|Avg: $50
93%
#646
Radeon R9 M295X Mac Edition
MSRP: $450|Avg: $450
93%
#647
93%
#648
91%
#649
Qualcomm Adreno 690 GPU
MSRP: $200|Avg: $100
90%
#650
Radeon R7 M350
MSRP: $100|Avg: $100
89%
#651
Radeon RX 780
MSRP: $499|Avg: $721
89%
#652
Mobility Radeon HD 560v
MSRP: $150|Avg: $30
89%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for GeForce 8600 GS across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 7800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of GeForce 8600 GS specifications and capabilities.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce 8600 GS scores 179 in the G3D Mark benchmark (the standard measure of rasterization GPU performance), placing it in the Entry Level tier as a Legacy generation graphics card. It is built on the G9x (2007−2010) architecture (codename: NB9E-GTX), manufactured on a 65 nm process— smaller process nodes improve power efficiency and transistor density. It packs 224 shader units (the primary compute units for rendering pixels).

SpecificationGeForce 8600 GS
G3D MarkPassMark 3D graphics benchmark score179
ArchitectureGPU microarchitecture generationG9x (2007−2010)
CodenameInternal GPU die codenameNB9E-GTX
Manufacturing ProcessFabrication node — smaller = more efficient65 nm
Shader UnitsCore compute units for rendering/compute224
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum GPU frequency500 MHz
PCIe InterfaceCPU↔GPU data link generationPCIe 1.1 x16
Transistor Count3016 Million
Performance RankPosition in global GPU performance ranking#825
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce 8600 GS is equipped with 0.5 GB of GDDR5 video memory connected via a 64-bit memory bus, delivering Unknown of bandwidth. Memory operates at 8 Gbps effective speed.

SpecificationGeForce 8600 GS
VRAM SizeVideo memory capacity — more = better for high-res textures0.5 GB
VRAM TypeMemory technology generationGDDR5
Memory BusWidth of data path — wider = more bandwidth64-bit
Memory SpeedEffective memory data rate8 Gbps
BandwidthMaximum data throughput between GPU and VRAMUnknown

Advanced Features & APIs

Graphics API support: DirectX 10_0, OpenGL 3.3— latest API versions enable the most advanced rendering features like ray tracing and mesh shaders.

SpecificationGeForce 8600 GS
NVIDIA Reflex❌ Not Supported
DLSS Frame Generation❌ Not Supported
DLSS Super Resolution❌ Not Supported
DirectXMicrosoft graphics API version10_0
OpenGLLegacy graphics API3.3
Compute APIGPGPU framework (CUDA/ROCm/OpenCL)CUDA
🖥️

Display & Media

Display outputs: 1x DVI, 1x VGA, 1x S-Video — supports up to 2 simultaneous displays. Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD, decoder: PureVideo HD— dedicated hardware for video encoding/decoding accelerates streaming, recording, and video playback. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,WMV9.

SpecificationGeForce 8600 GS
DVI PortsNumber of DVI display connectors1x
VGA PortsNumber of VGA display connectors1x
S-Video PortsNumber of S-Video display connectors1x
Max DisplaysMaximum simultaneously connected monitors2
Hardware EncoderVideo encoding engine versionPureVideo HD
Hardware DecoderVideo decoding engine versionPureVideo HD
CodecsSupported video compression formatsH.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,WMV9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 8600 GS draws 150 Watt under load (TDP) — a 350W PSU minimum is recommended. Power connector: Legacy. Physical size: 170mm long, 111mm tall, occupying 1 expansion slots— verify your case has clearance before purchasing. Typical temperatures: 52°C at idle, 78°C under load.

SpecificationGeForce 8600 GS
TDPPower consumption under load150 Watt
Recommended PSUMinimum power supply wattage350W
Power ConnectorRequired PCIe power cable typeLegacy
Card LengthGPU card length — check case clearance170mm
Card Height111mm
Slot WidthExpansion slots occupied1-slot
Idle TemperatureTypical temperature at desktop idle52°C
Load TemperatureTypical temperature under gaming load78°C
💰

Value Analysis

At an average price of $15 (MSRP: $100), the GeForce 8600 GS delivers 12 G3D Mark points per dollar. Overall performance ranking position: #825 among all indexed GPUs.

SpecificationGeForce 8600 GS
MSRPManufacturer's Suggested Retail Price$100
Avg Price (30d)Average market price over the last 30 days$15
Performance RankPosition in global GPU performance ranking#825
Release DateJuly 15 2008
Release Year2008

Specifications Reference

Raw spec sheet for quick lookup. The analysis cards above explain what these fields mean in practice.

2 categories

Technical Specifications

12 specs

Vram0.5 GB
Core Clock500 MHz
Memory TypeGDDR5
Memory Speed8 Gbps
Shading Units224
PCIe GenerationPCIe 1.1 x16
Memory BandwidthUnknown
Memory Bus Width64-bit
Transistor Count3016 Million
Frame GenerationNVIDIA Reflex: No | DLSS Frame Generation: No | DLSS Super Resolution: No
Manufacturing Process65 nm
Power Consumption (TDP)150 Watt

General Information

4 specs

CodenameNB9E-GTX
ArchitectureG9x (2007−2010)
Release DateJuly 15 2008
Performance Ranking Position825

Our Recommendation for GeForce 8600 GS

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