NVIDIA
GeForce 8600 GS vs GeForce 8500 GT
Full comparison of specs, performance and benchmarks
NVIDIA
8500 GT
Aggregate performance score
We've compared 8600 GS and 8500 GT across specs and all relevant benchmarks.
↗8600 GS outperforms 8500 GT by 12% based on our aggregate benchmark results.+12%
Scores are normalized on the Head to Head scale. Higher is better.GeForce 8600 GS vs GeForce 8500 GT: key takeaway
The comparison of 8600 GS and 8500 GT shows a 12% advantage for 8600 GS in gaming performance, while 8500 GT may still be stronger in efficiency and feature set. Use the sections below to check whether that lead comes from real FPS, specifications, efficiency, price or platform features.
SUMMARY PROFILE
Verified-metrics radar
Axes with missing data are hidden; every value uses a fixed scale.
NVIDIAPerformance
Efficiency
Price / performance
Memory capacity
4641
100100
100100
137
COMPARISON RESULT
8600 GS is the best overall choice
8600 GS leads in combined game performance. 8600 GS offers the better price per frame, while the final choice depends on the required features, memory, and games.
8600 GS leads in the combined performance index
Prices are identical
CATALOG POSITION
Full ranking →Graphics card ranking
Positions 41–46of 319
COMPARISON VERDICT
Which should you choose?
Two practical conclusions based on community votes and gaming value.
GeForce 8600 GS
157 likesHead to Head visitors currently choose this model more often.
GeForce 8600 GS
100/100 · Price $79The choice is based on the price-to-performance index and launch price.
OVERALL SCORE
Overview
Scores are calculated from specifications, performance, and efficiency.
The Summary score section compares 8600 GS and 8500 GT with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
GamesDirectX, OpenCL, and Vulkan performance
46Better
41
Professional applications3D modeling, video editing, and rendering
40Better
36
AI and machine learningMachine-learning and AI capabilities
37Better
34
Power efficiencyPower consumption across workloads
100
100
Head to Head scoreOverall catalog score
67Better
63
FULL COMPARISON
Specifications
The better numeric value is highlighted in green, taking the metric direction into account.
The Specifications section compares 8600 GS and 8500 GT with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
Device classDesktopDesktop
Power consumption47 W30 WBetter
DirectX10.010.0
OpenGL3.33.3
TFLOPS0.038Better0.029
Memory frequency800 MHz800 MHz
Memory typeDDR2DDR2
Power connectorNoneNone
Release date20072007
ArchitectureTeslaTesla
ThicknessSingle-slotSingle-slot
LengthVaries by board229 mm
Compute APIOpenCL 1.1, CUDA 1.1OpenCL 1.1, CUDA 1.1
Launch price$79$79
Clock speed540 MHzBetter459 MHz
Base clock540 MHzBetter459 MHz
Boost clock540 MHzBetter459 MHz
VRAM512 MB DDR2Better256 MB DDR2
Memory bus128 bit128 bit
Memory bandwidth12800 GB/s12800 GB/s
InterfacePCIe 1x16PCIe 1x16
Power consumption47 W30 WBetter
Process node80 nm80 nm
Recommended PSU200 W200 W
Die size169 mm²127 mm²Better
Transistor count289 millionBetter210 million
Shader units / cores1616
Memory cacheL2 0.03 MBL2 0.03 MB
Max monitors33
Max resolution2560 × 16002560 × 1600
USB Type-CNoNo
VulkanNot supportedNot supported
HDMIBoard dependentBoard dependent
UpscalingNot supportedNot supported
DisplayPortBoard dependentBoard dependent
GAME TEST BENCH
Gaming FPS
Available results are shown separately; missing data is not treated as zero.
The Gaming FPS section compares 8600 GS and 8500 GT across curated H2H Lab game presets. The useful signal is not only average FPS, but also how each device behaves at 1440p and 4K, how memory capacity and bus width affect heavy textures, and whether the game engine favors raster performance, ray tracing, or driver maturity.
8600 GS8500 GT
Verified H2HCommunity VerifiedEstimatedPredicted
Black Myth: Wukong
1080p High
26 FPSEstimated 65%
23 FPSEstimated 65%
1080p Ultra
22 FPSEstimated 65%
20 FPSEstimated 65%
1440p Ultra
14 FPSEstimated 61%
12 FPSEstimated 61%
4K Ultra
6 FPSEstimated 57%
5 FPSEstimated 57%
Black Myth: Wukong8600 GS26 FPSEstimated 65%8500 GT23 FPSEstimated 65%8600 GS22 FPSEstimated 65%8500 GT20 FPSEstimated 65%8600 GS14 FPSEstimated 61%8500 GT12 FPSEstimated 61%8600 GS6 FPSEstimated 57%8500 GT5 FPSEstimated 57%
Call of Duty: Warzone8600 GS26 FPSEstimated 65%8500 GT23 FPSEstimated 65%8600 GS22 FPSEstimated 65%8500 GT20 FPSEstimated 65%8600 GS14 FPSEstimated 61%8500 GT12 FPSEstimated 61%8600 GS6 FPSEstimated 57%8500 GT5 FPSEstimated 57%
Counter-Strike 28600 GS220 FPSEstimated 73%8500 GT196 FPSEstimated 73%8600 GS154 FPSEstimated 73%8500 GT138 FPSEstimated 73%8600 GS98 FPSEstimated 69%8500 GT87 FPSEstimated 69%8600 GS37 FPSEstimated 65%8500 GT33 FPSEstimated 65%
Cyberpunk 20778600 GS142 FPSEstimated 73%8500 GT127 FPSEstimated 73%8600 GS122 FPSEstimated 73%8500 GT109 FPSEstimated 73%8600 GS71 FPSEstimated 69%8500 GT63 FPSEstimated 69%8600 GS25 FPSEstimated 65%8500 GT22 FPSEstimated 65%
Forza Horizon 58600 GS179 FPSEstimated 79%8500 GT160 FPSEstimated 79%8600 GS116 FPSEstimated 73%8500 GT103 FPSEstimated 73%8600 GS88 FPSEstimated 69%8500 GT79 FPSEstimated 69%8600 GS54 FPSEstimated 65%8500 GT48 FPSEstimated 65%
God of War Ragnarök8600 GS26 FPSEstimated 65%8500 GT23 FPSEstimated 65%8600 GS22 FPSEstimated 65%8500 GT20 FPSEstimated 65%8600 GS14 FPSEstimated 61%8500 GT12 FPSEstimated 61%8600 GS6 FPSEstimated 57%8500 GT5 FPSEstimated 57%
Hogwarts Legacy8600 GS116 FPSEstimated 73%8500 GT103 FPSEstimated 73%8600 GS97 FPSEstimated 73%8500 GT86 FPSEstimated 73%8600 GS64 FPSEstimated 69%8500 GT57 FPSEstimated 69%8600 GS25 FPSEstimated 65%8500 GT22 FPSEstimated 65%
Microsoft Flight Simulator 20248600 GS26 FPSEstimated 65%8500 GT23 FPSEstimated 65%8600 GS22 FPSEstimated 65%8500 GT20 FPSEstimated 65%8600 GS14 FPSEstimated 61%8500 GT12 FPSEstimated 61%8600 GS6 FPSEstimated 57%8500 GT5 FPSEstimated 57%
Monster Hunter Wilds8600 GS26 FPSEstimated 65%8500 GT23 FPSEstimated 65%8600 GS22 FPSEstimated 65%8500 GT20 FPSEstimated 65%8600 GS14 FPSEstimated 61%8500 GT12 FPSEstimated 61%8600 GS6 FPSEstimated 57%8500 GT5 FPSEstimated 57%
Starfield8600 GS26 FPSEstimated 65%8500 GT23 FPSEstimated 65%8600 GS22 FPSEstimated 65%8500 GT20 FPSEstimated 65%8600 GS14 FPSEstimated 61%8500 GT12 FPSEstimated 61%8600 GS6 FPSEstimated 57%8500 GT5 FPSEstimated 57%
HEAD TO HEAD · CALCULATED INDEX
H2H workload indices
Comparable internal indices on a fixed 0–100 scale.
The Benchmarks section compares 8600 GS and 8500 GT with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
H2H Raster IndexH2H Index / 100464111%
H2H Compute IndexH2H Index / 100373214%
H2H Rendering IndexH2H Index / 100373118%
H2H Memory Workload IndexH2H Index / 10013760%
H2H Efficiency IndexH2H Index / 1001001000%
These are versioned H2H calculated indices derived from normalized catalog data. They are not results from a third-party benchmark.
HEAD TO HEAD · CALCULATED INDEX
H2H AI workload indices
Estimated workload profiles based on available performance and memory data.
The Detailed comparison section compares 8600 GS and 8500 GT with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
H2H Image Generation IndexH2H Index / 100312618%
H2H ML Training IndexH2H Index / 100332720%
H2H Inference IndexH2H Index / 100373118%
H2H Local LLM IndexH2H Index / 100282224%
H2H Computer Vision IndexH2H Index / 100363115%
These are versioned H2H calculated indices derived from normalized catalog data. They are not results from a third-party benchmark.
Graphics APIs, SDKs and upscaling
The Graphics APIs, SDKs and upscaling section compares 8600 GS and 8500 GT with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
DirectX10.010.0
VulkanNot supportedNot supported
OpenGL3.33.3
UpscalingNot supportedNot supported
Compute APIOpenCL 1.1, CUDA 1.1OpenCL 1.1, CUDA 1.1
Architecture and release
The Architecture and release section compares 8600 GS and 8500 GT with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
ArchitectureTeslaTesla
Process node80 nm80 nm
Release date20072007
Device classDesktopDesktop
GPU cores, die and clocks
The Core layout and clocks section compares 8600 GS and 8500 GT with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
Transistor count289 millionBetter210 million
Die size169 mm²127 mm²Better
Shader units / cores1616
Base clock540 MHzBetter459 MHz
Boost clock540 MHzBetter459 MHz
Board size, power and compatibility
The Form factor and compatibility section compares 8600 GS and 8500 GT with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
InterfacePCIe 1x16PCIe 1x16
LengthVaries by board229 mm
ThicknessSingle-slotSingle-slot
Recommended PSU200 W200 W
Power connectorNoneNone
Display outputs and limits
The Display outputs section compares 8600 GS and 8500 GT with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
HDMIBoard dependentBoard dependent
DisplayPortBoard dependentBoard dependent
USB Type-CNoNo
Max monitors33
Max resolution2560 × 16002560 × 1600
Memory and compute throughput
The VRAM capacity and bandwidth section compares 8600 GS and 8500 GT with normalized H2H data, turning specifications, tests and value signals into practical buying context.
VRAM512 MB DDR2Better256 MB DDR2
Memory typeDDR2DDR2
Memory bus128 bit128 bit
TFLOPS0.038Better0.029
HEAD TO HEAD · DISCOVER
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AI EXPLAIN · HEAD TO HEAD
Explain this comparison
Beyond percentages: causes, relevant specifications, and practical impact behind every chart.
What AI will explain
Overall score, radar, FPS, synthetic tests, specifications, efficiency, and value.
REAL CONFIGURATIONS
Owner experiences
Real builds, results, and community feedback.
♢Moderator reviewed☆Helpful to the community🏅Expert badges
Frequently asked comparison questions
Short recommendations based on performance, memory, power consumption, and intended use.
01Which is better for gaming: 8600 GS or 8500 GT?+
8600 GS has the higher overall gaming score, while 8600 GS offers the better price-to-performance ratio. The final choice depends on resolution and settings.
02Which is better for streaming?+
8600 GS is the stronger streaming choice thanks to performance, hardware encoding, and application support. Check AV1, H.264, and HEVC support before buying.
03Which is better for Blender?+
8600 GS is generally the better option for Blender and GPU rendering. Rendering-engine support and available VRAM also matter.
04Which is better for video editing?+
8600 GS offers more overall performance, while 8600 GS offers more memory headroom. Codecs, hardware encoders, and editor optimization can change the result.
05Which is better for neural networks and AI?+
8600 GS is the more practical option for local AI workloads. VRAM capacity, compute libraries, and framework compatibility are especially important.
06Which is better for 1080p?+
8600 GS is the most rational 1080p choice, where high frame rates and cost per frame matter most.
07Which is better for 1440p?+
8600 GS leads in combined 1440p performance. 8600 GS can be preferable for heavy textures and games with high VRAM usage.
08Which is better for 4K?+
8600 GS is preferable for 4K, where total performance, memory bandwidth, and VRAM capacity have the greatest impact.
09Which is better for a quiet PC?+
8500 GT is easier to use in a quiet build because of its lower estimated power and thermal load. Actual noise depends on the specific cooler.
10Which is better without replacing the power supply?+
8500 GT is the safer candidate because its stated power consumption is lower. Verify PSU wattage, age, and power connectors.
11Is it worth upgrading from the previous generation?+
Consider upgrading to 8600 GS if your current device no longer delivers the required FPS, memory capacity, or feature support. A gain below 15–20% is usually worth waiting for a price cut.