NVIDIA
GeForce 8600 GS vs Radeon R9 290
Full comparison of specs, performance and benchmarks
AMD
R9 290
Aggregate performance score
We've compared 8600 GS and R9 290 across specs and all relevant benchmarks.
↗8600 GS outperforms R9 290 by ~21% on the catalog index; this is not a measured FPS gain.+21%
Scores are normalized on the Head to Head scale. Higher is better. How is this calculated?H2HBench Data Quality
Low confidenceSpecifications: Field verification not recordedVerified gaming results: 0Estimated / unverified results: 32Price record updated: Sep 6, 2026
Limited verified data
H2HBench Verdict
Higher catalog score: GeForce 8600 GS (~35%)
The score difference is not a measured FPS improvement.
Reasons to consider 8600 GS
- Higher catalog performance index
- Lower stated power consumption
- Recorded feature support: OpenCL 1.1, CUDA 1.1 · Not supported
Reasons to consider R9 290
- More graphics memory
- Recorded feature support: OpenCL 2.1 · Not supported
Catalog metrics radar
Axes with missing data are hidden; every value uses a fixed scale.
NVIDIA
AMDPerformance
Efficiency
Price / performance
Memory capacity
4638
10046
100100
1356
Graphics card ranking
Positions 49–54of 321
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
Price $20.00Based on catalog performance per unit of current market price, not measured FPS.
Overview
Scores are calculated from specifications, performance, and efficiency.
GamesDirectX, OpenCL, and Vulkan performance
46Better
38
Professional applications3D modeling, video editing, and rendering
40Better
34
AI and machine learningMachine-learning and AI capabilities
37Better
31
Power efficiencyPower consumption across workloads
100Better
46
Head to Head scoreOverall catalog score
62Better
46
Specifications
The better numeric value is highlighted in green, taking the metric direction into account.
Device class
Power consumptionBetter
DirectX
OpenGL
TFLOPSBetter
Memory frequencyBetter
Memory type
Power connector
Release date
Architecture
Thickness
Length
Compute API
Launch priceBetter
Clock speedBetter
Base clockBetter
Boost clockBetter
VRAMBetter
Memory busBetter
Memory bandwidthBetter
Interface
Power consumptionBetter
Process nodeBetter
Recommended PSUBetter
Die sizeBetter
Transistor countBetter
Shader units / coresBetter
Memory cacheBetter
Max monitors
Max resolution
USB Type-C
Vulkan
HDMI
Upscaling
DisplayPort
Gaming FPS
Available results are shown separately; missing data is not treated as zero.
The Gaming FPS section compares 8600 GS and R9 290 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 GSR9 290
Verified externalEstimatedSources ↗
Counter-Strike 2
1080p High
220 FPS
184 FPS
1080p Ultra
154 FPS
130 FPS
1440p Ultra
98 FPS
80 FPS
4K Ultra
37 FPS
28 FPS
Counter-Strike 28600 GS220 FPSR9 290184 FPS8600 GS154 FPSR9 290130 FPS8600 GS98 FPSR9 29080 FPS8600 GS37 FPSR9 29028 FPS
Cyberpunk 20778600 GS142 FPSR9 290119 FPS8600 GS122 FPSR9 290102 FPS8600 GS71 FPSR9 29058 FPS8600 GS25 FPSR9 29019 FPS
Forza Horizon 58600 GS179 FPSR9 290150 FPS8600 GS116 FPSR9 29097 FPS8600 GS88 FPSR9 29072 FPS8600 GS54 FPSR9 29041 FPS
Hogwarts Legacy8600 GS116 FPSR9 29097 FPS8600 GS97 FPSR9 29081 FPS8600 GS64 FPSR9 29052 FPS8600 GS25 FPSR9 29019 FPS
H2H workload indices
Comparable internal indices on a fixed 0–100 scale.
H2H Raster IndexH2H Index / 100463819%
H2H Compute IndexH2H Index / 10037408%
H2H Rendering IndexH2H Index / 100374315%
H2H Memory Workload IndexH2H Index / 1001356125%
H2H Efficiency IndexH2H Index / 1001004674%
These are versioned H2H calculated indices derived from normalized catalog data. They are not results from a third-party benchmark.
H2H AI workload indices
Estimated workload profiles based on available performance and memory data.
H2H Image Generation IndexH2H Index / 100314639%
H2H ML Training IndexH2H Index / 100334531%
H2H Inference IndexH2H Index / 100374315%
H2H Local LLM IndexH2H Index / 100284853%
H2H Computer Vision IndexH2H Index / 100364318%
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
DirectX10.012.0
VulkanNot supported1.2
OpenGL3.34.6
UpscalingNot supportedNot supported
Compute APIOpenCL 1.1, CUDA 1.1OpenCL 2.1
Architecture and release
ArchitectureTeslaGCN 2.0
Process node80 nm28 nmBetter
Release date20072013
Device classDesktopDesktop
GPU cores, die and clocks
Transistor count289 million6200 millionBetter
Die size169 mm²Better438 mm²
Shader units / cores162816Better
Base clock540 MHz947 MHzBetter
Boost clock540 MHz947 MHzBetter
Board size, power and compatibility
InterfacePCIe 1x16PCIe 3x16
LengthVaries by boardVaries by board
ThicknessSingle-slotTriple-slot
Recommended PSU200 WBetter950 W
Power connectorNone6+8 pin
Display outputs and limits
HDMIBoard dependentHDMI 1.4a
DisplayPortBoard dependentDisplayPort 1.2
USB Type-CNoNo
Max monitors34
Max resolution2560 × 16004096 × 2160
Memory and compute throughput
VRAM512 MB DDR2Better4 GB GDDR5
Memory typeDDR2GDDR5
Memory bus128 bit512 bitBetter
TFLOPS0.0385.632Better
Other comparisons
Reviews and questions
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.
Evidence details
Data coverage
- Verified gaming results
- 0
- Verified synthetic results
- 0
- Games with verified results
- 0
- Verified community results
- 0
- Estimated / unverified results
- 32
- Specifications
- 0 / 70
Calculated scores · How is this calculated?
Scores use the catalog model and may include estimated inputs. Open each score to see its origin and the methodology.
clamp(round(performance × 0.7 + (efficiency ?? 50) × 0.2 + (value is missing ? 0 : (value − 50) × 0.2)), 0, 100)Price evidence · View sources (5)
Verified community results
No verified community benchmarks yet.
Reviewed by
No individual editorial review is recorded for this comparison.
Comparison history
Show recorded changes (5)
- · Record updated: products
- · Record updated: products
- · Record changed: product_prices
- · Record updated: products
- · Record updated: products
Why you can trust this comparison
Origin and confidence are evaluated from the evidence attached to each value. Unverified results are identified, and specification, benchmark and price dates remain separate.
Owner experiences
Real builds, results, and community feedback.
Moderator reviewedHelpful to the communityExpert badges
Frequently asked comparison questions
Short recommendations based on performance, memory, power consumption, and intended use.
01Which is better for gaming: 8600 GS or R9 290?+
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?+
8600 GS 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?+
8600 GS 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.