GeForce 8500 GT vs GeForce 6800

Speed and memory

In our performance index the GeForce 8500 GT scores 0.3 and the GeForce 6800 scores 0.2, which makes the GeForce 8500 GT about 50% faster. That is a gap you will notice: roughly one step up in quality setting, or the difference between 60 and 80 fps.

Both cards have shared GB of video memory, so memory will not separate them.

In our estimates for popular games at 1080p on High, the biggest gap is in Red Dead Redemption 2 (2 against 1 fps), and the smallest is in Grand Theft Auto V Legacy (7 against 5 fps). Games that are light enough to run above 200 fps on both cards show little difference at all.

Power and value

The GeForce 8500 GT is rated at 40 W and the GeForce 6800 at 80 W. With a mid-range processor that means a power supply of about 450 W for the first and 450 W for the second. The power draw is close enough that cooling and noise will be similar.

At launch the GeForce 8500 GT cost $89 and the GeForce 6800 $299. Per dollar, the GeForce 8500 GT gave more performance (0.3 points per $100 against 0.1). Current prices differ, so run the same sum on what you can actually buy today.

Which one to buy

Choose the GeForce 8500 GT if you want the faster card, and it also has at least as much memory. It makes the most sense at 1440p and above, or on a monitor with a high refresh rate.

Choose the GeForce 6800 if the price gap matters more than the 50% speed difference. Whichever you pick, check reviews for the games you play, because two cards with similar scores can differ in individual titles.