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GeForce 6600 GT

GeForce FX 5900 vs. GeForce 6600 GT: Which Is Better for a Retro PC?

The GeForce 6600 GT leads the FX 5900 in Technical City’s aggregate benchmark, but interface compatibility and period-correctness can decide which card belongs in your retro PC.

By VGSources Team 3 min read
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The GeForce 6600 GT is the faster general-purpose choice between these two cards: Technical City’s aggregate benchmark gives it a score of 0.34, compared with 0.08 for the GeForce FX 5900. That database result is not a guarantee of a particular game’s frame rate, but the 6600 GT is also the newer generation and uses GDDR3 memory. Choose the FX 5900 when period correctness or an existing, known-good configuration matters more than performance.

How do the FX 5900 and 6600 GT compare?

Specification GeForce FX 5900 GeForce 6600 GT
Release date 12 May 2003 (Technical City, 2024) 12 August 2004 (Technical City, 2024)
Architecture NV35 NV43 A2
Reported memory 128 MB DDR 128 MB GDDR3
Reported manufacturing process 130 nm 110 nm
Reported launch price $399 (Technical City, 2024) $64.95 (Technical City, 2024)
Aggregate performance score 0.08 0.34

Specifications and benchmark scores in the table are reported by Technical City. The launch prices are historical figures, not current used-card prices. NVIDIA’s device-ID reference identifies the FX 5900 as 0x0331 and the 6600 GT as 0x0140; it also lists a 0x00F1 entry for a GeForce 6600 GT.

Which card is faster in games?

Technical City reports a 0.34 aggregate score for the 6600 GT and 0.08 for the FX 5900, describing the difference as 325% in the 6600 GT’s favor. Treat that as a database comparison, not a universal frame-rate multiplier: it is not one repeatable test in a named game under specified conditions. Actual results depend on the game, resolution, driver, CPU, and card interface.

Both belong to the DirectX 9-era generations, but a benchmark summary cannot tell you how every older title behaves. For a particular game, compatibility and performance can depend on its rendering path and the driver in use. NVIDIA’s ForceWare 66.93 release notes list both the GeForce 6600/6600 GT and FX 5900 among supported products; that establishes historical driver-family support, not support for every modern operating system or setup.

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#1 Best Overall
QTHREE GeForce GT 730 4GB Graphics Card,2X HDMI, DP,VGA,DDR3,64 Bit,Low Profile Video Card for PC,Computer GPU,PCI Express X8,SFF,DirectX 12,Support Winows 11
  • NVIDIA GT 730 graphics cards offer basic display capabilities for office work and light multimedia,which with 1000 MHz Memory Clock 4GB DDR3 on Kepler architecture, support multiple monitors and HD video playback,easily upgrading for convenient usage to save your budget for your old pc
  • The low-profile design of the PC graphics card saves installation space, easy to install,plug &play,making it easy to build a compact computer system, even compatible with ITX chassis.
  • The 4x outputs enables multi-monitor productivity on up to 4 monitors simultaneously,including 2x HDMI,VGA,DP.Designed for full-size chassis and small case installations.
  • PCI Express based PC is required with one X8 lane graphics slot available on the motherboard. 300 Watt or greater power supply. This video card can automatically install new drivers and support Win11,DirectX 12.
  • 30W low power,no external power supply and the all-solid-state capacitor keeps low power consumption and high performance.If you have any problems about this card,please contact us via amazon messages.

What matters for a period-correct build?

Memory and generation

The 6600 GT arrived in August 2004, about 15 months after the FX 5900, and is listed with 128 MB of GDDR3 rather than the FX 5900’s 128 MB of DDR. Technical City also lists 110 nm lithography for the 6600 GT and 130 nm for the FX 5900; these are historical product specifications, not a statement about current manufacturing.

Authenticity versus speed

For a general retro gaming PC that supports either card, the 6600 GT is the stronger starting point on the available aggregate comparison. For a restoration intended to reproduce an original system, the FX 5900 may be the right choice if it matches the original hardware, outputs, and software configuration. A period-correct build is about fit and authenticity, not simply choosing the higher benchmark score.

Rank #2
QTHREE GeForce GT 210 Graphics Card,1024 MB DDR3 64 Bit,HDMI,VGA,Low Profile Video Card for PC,GPU,PCI Express 2.0 x16,SFF,Low Power
  • The Geforce 210 is with a 589MHz core clock,up to 1066Mbps effective,perfect for working,video and photo editing,allows good fluency,which can effectively meet your needs.
  • PCI Express 2.0 interface,offers compatibility with a range of systems. Also includes VGA and HDMI outputs for expanded connectivity,supports up to 2 monitors.Good for adding a simple low profile gpu to a small form factor pc.
  • The computer graphics cards is small in size and saves more space,easy to install,plug and play,you can build a compact PC system easily for slim/ITX chassis.
  • This low profile video card is good value option for entry level, if you just want basic upgrade graphics and daily simple work for your computer, or not be AAA gamer.(include low profile bracket)
  • No external power supply and the all-solid-state capacitor keeps low power consumption and high performance,supports Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP(not compatible with windows 11).
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Can you replace an FX 5900 with a 6600 GT?

Possibly, but the model name alone does not establish compatibility. The 6600 GT was sold in more than one interface variant, so verify the exact card’s bus and confirm it matches the motherboard before buying. A card that is mechanically or electrically incompatible is not a drop-in replacement.

Also match the card to the system’s display connections, power requirements, and operating system. NVIDIA’s device-ID list and later supported-products list document both product families, but do not prove that a specific board, driver package, or operating-system installation will work in your machine.

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Rank #3
Glorto GeForce GT 730 4G Low Profile Graphics Card, 2X HDMI, DP, VGA, DDR3, PCI Express 2.0 x8, Entry Level GPU for PC, SFF and HTPC, Compatible with Windows 11
  • Powered by NVIDIA GeForce GT 730, 28nm GK208 chipset process with 902MHz core frequency, integrated with 4096MB DDR3 memory and 64-bit bus width
  • More stable performance, compatible with Win11, can automatically install new driver
  • Support NVIDIA Surround technology for 4 screens output by dual HDMI and VGA / DP. HDMI Max Resolution-2560x1600, VGA Max Resolution-2048x1536, DP Max Resolution-2560x1600
  • Support DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.6, CUDA, OpenCL, DirectCompute and DirectML
  • Original half height bracket matches with the low profile brackets make the Glorto GeForce GT 730 graphics card fit well with all PC tower, small form factor and HTPC(except micro form factor)

What to check before buying a used card

  • Exact interface: Ask whether the listing is for AGP or PCIe, then verify that the motherboard supports it.
  • Exact model and memory: Request the manufacturer’s model number and memory configuration; do not assume every card with the same GPU name has identical specifications.
  • Working condition: Ask for evidence that the card has been tested, including whether it displays an image and runs under load. Inspect the fan and look for signs of damaged or degraded components.
  • Fit for the system: Check display connectors, power needs, case clearance, and operating-system driver availability against the target PC.
  • Return terms: Confirm the seller’s return policy in case the card is faulty or the listing has misstated its interface or condition.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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