GeForce 8600 GTS vs GeForce 310M

Full comparison of specs, performance and benchmarks

Aggregate performance score

We've compared 8600 GTS and GeForce 310M across specs and all relevant benchmarks.

8600 GTS outperforms GeForce 310M by ~30% on the catalog index; this is not a measured FPS gain.+30%

Scores are normalized on the Head to Head scale. Higher is better. How is this calculated?

H2HBench Data Quality

Low confidence
Specifications: 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 GTS (~36%)

The score difference is not a measured FPS improvement.

Reasons to consider 8600 GTS

  • Higher catalog performance index
  • Higher catalog value index
  • Recorded feature support: OpenCL 1.1, CUDA 1.1 · Not supported

Reasons to consider GeForce 310M

  • More graphics memory
  • Lower stated power consumption
  • Recorded feature support: OpenCL 1.1, CUDA 1.2 · Not supported
Low confidence

Catalog metrics radar

Axes with missing data are hidden; every value uses a fixed scale.

H2H
Performance
Efficiency
Price / performance
Memory capacity
Performance
3930
Efficiency
100100
Price / performance
10054
Memory capacity
1343
Missing values are never replaced with zero or an average.Model: H2H 2026.07 fixed scale.

Graphics card ranking

Full ranking →

The ranking is recalculated automatically from catalog data.

Positions 78–83of 321
8600 GTS#80position in the GPU ranking
GeForce 310Mnot in TOP100position in the GPU ranking

Which should you choose?

Two practical conclusions based on community votes and gaming value.

COMMUNITY CHOICE

GeForce 8600 GTS

56 likes

Head to Head visitors currently choose this model more often.

Overview

Scores are calculated from specifications, performance, and efficiency.

Category8600 GTSGeForce 310M
GamesDirectX, OpenCL, and Vulkan performance
39Better
30
Professional applications3D modeling, video editing, and rendering
34Better
28
AI and machine learningMachine-learning and AI capabilities
32Better
26
Power efficiencyPower consumption across workloads
100
100
Head to Head scoreOverall catalog score
57Better
42

Specifications

The better numeric value is highlighted in green, taking the metric direction into account.

Specification8600 GTSGeForce 310M
Device class
DirectX
OpenGL
TFLOPSBetter
Power consumptionBetter
Memory type
Power connector
Release date
Architecture
Thickness
Clock speedBetter
Base clockBetter
Boost clockBetter
VRAMBetter
Memory frequencyBetter
Memory busBetter
Memory bandwidthBetter
Interface
Power consumptionBetter
Process nodeBetter
Recommended PSU
Length
Compute API
Launch price
Shader units / coresBetter
Die sizeBetter
Memory cache
Transistor countBetter
Max monitors
Max resolution
USB Type-C
Upscaling
Vulkan
DisplayPort
HDMI

Gaming FPS

Available results are shown separately; missing data is not treated as zero.

The Gaming FPS section compares 8600 GTS and GeForce 310M 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 GTSGeForce 310M
Verified externalEstimatedSources ↗
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p High
197 FPS
150 FPS
1080p Ultra
138 FPS
106 FPS
1440p Ultra
74 FPS
57 FPS
4K Ultra
27 FPS
20 FPS
Game1080p High1080p Ultra1440p Ultra4K Ultra
Counter-Strike 28600 GTS197 FPSGeForce 310M150 FPS8600 GTS138 FPSGeForce 310M106 FPS8600 GTS74 FPSGeForce 310M57 FPS8600 GTS27 FPSGeForce 310M20 FPS
Cyberpunk 20778600 GTS127 FPSGeForce 310M97 FPS8600 GTS109 FPSGeForce 310M84 FPS8600 GTS54 FPSGeForce 310M41 FPS8600 GTS18 FPSGeForce 310M14 FPS
Forza Horizon 58600 GTS160 FPSGeForce 310M122 FPS8600 GTS104 FPSGeForce 310M79 FPS8600 GTS67 FPSGeForce 310M51 FPS8600 GTS39 FPSGeForce 310M30 FPS
Hogwarts Legacy8600 GTS104 FPSGeForce 310M79 FPS8600 GTS87 FPSGeForce 310M66 FPS8600 GTS48 FPSGeForce 310M37 FPS8600 GTS18 FPSGeForce 310M14 FPS
Average FPS8600 GTS147 FPSGeForce 310M112 FPS8600 GTS110 FPSGeForce 310M84 FPS8600 GTS61 FPSGeForce 310M47 FPS8600 GTS26 FPSGeForce 310M20 FPS

H2H workload indices

Comparable internal indices on a fixed 0–100 scale.

Index8600 GTSGeForce 310MDifference
H2H Raster IndexH2H Index / 100393026%
H2H Compute IndexH2H Index / 100333010%
H2H Rendering IndexH2H Index / 10032346%
H2H Memory Workload IndexH2H Index / 1001343107%
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.

H2H AI workload indices

Estimated workload profiles based on available performance and memory data.

Index8600 GTSGeForce 310MDifference
H2H Image Generation IndexH2H Index / 100273629%
H2H ML Training IndexH2H Index / 100283522%
H2H Inference IndexH2H Index / 10032346%
H2H Local LLM IndexH2H Index / 100243743%
H2H Computer Vision IndexH2H Index / 10031349%

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

Specifications8600 GTSGeForce 310M
DirectX10.010.1
VulkanNot supportedNot supported
OpenGL3.33.3
UpscalingNot supportedNot supported
Compute APIOpenCL 1.1, CUDA 1.1OpenCL 1.1, CUDA 1.2

Architecture and release

Specifications8600 GTSGeForce 310M
ArchitectureTeslaTesla
Process node80 nm40 nmBetter
Release date20072010
Device classDesktopMobile

GPU cores, die and clocks

Specifications8600 GTSGeForce 310M
Transistor count289 millionBetter260 million
Die size169 mm²57 mm²Better
Shader units / cores32Better16
Base clock675 MHzBetter606 MHz
Boost clock675 MHzBetter606 MHz

Board size, power and compatibility

Specifications8600 GTSGeForce 310M
InterfacePCIe 1x16PCIe 2.0 x16
Length198 mmOEM dependent
ThicknessSingle-slotIGP
Recommended PSU250 WOEM dependent
Power connector6 pinNone

Display outputs and limits

Specifications8600 GTSGeForce 310M
HDMIBoard dependentOEM dependent
DisplayPortBoard dependentOEM dependent
USB Type-CNoOEM dependent
Max monitors3OEM dependent
Max resolution2560 × 1600Depends on host system

Memory and compute throughput

Specifications8600 GTSGeForce 310M
VRAM512 MB GDDR3Better1 GB DDR3
Memory typeGDDR3GDDR3 / DDR3
Memory bus128 bitBetter64 bit
TFLOPS0.093Better0.049

Other comparisons

0

Reviews and questions

Explain this comparison

Beyond percentages: causes, relevant specifications, and practical impact behind every chart.

Device A8600 GTS57
Device BGeForce 310M42
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 / 69

Specification record updated:

Benchmarks updated:

Price record updated:

Comparison reviewed:

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 (4)

Verified community results

No verified community benchmarks yet.

Reviewed by

No individual editorial review is recorded for this comparison.

Comparison history

Show recorded changes (3)
  1. · Record updated: products
  2. · Record updated: products
  3. · 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.

Report incorrect data

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 GTS or GeForce 310M?

8600 GTS has the higher overall gaming score, while 8600 GTS offers the better price-to-performance ratio. The final choice depends on resolution and settings.

02Which is better for streaming?

8600 GTS 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 GTS 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 GTS offers more overall performance, while 8600 GTS offers more memory headroom. Codecs, hardware encoders, and editor optimization can change the result.

05Which is better for neural networks and AI?

8600 GTS 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 GTS is the most rational 1080p choice, where high frame rates and cost per frame matter most.

07Which is better for 1440p?

8600 GTS leads in combined 1440p performance. 8600 GTS can be preferable for heavy textures and games with high VRAM usage.

08Which is better for 4K?

8600 GTS is preferable for 4K, where total performance, memory bandwidth, and VRAM capacity have the greatest impact.

09Which is better for a quiet PC?

GeForce 310M 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?

GeForce 310M 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 GTS 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.