NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT

The NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT is a mobile graphics processor built on the G84 chip using the Tesla architecture. Fabricated on an 80 nm process at TSMC, the chip integrates 289 million transistors onto a 169 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 1.7M / mm². Released in 2007, this end-of-life part targets the portable segment, as indicated by its MXM-II bus interface and MXM module slot width. The card supports DirectX 11.1 (10_0) and OpenGL 3.3, and its display outputs are portable device dependent.

Benchmark Performance

The database records an average benchmark score of 0 for the 8600M GT, placing it at the 50th percentile of all GPUs tracked. This percentile figure indicates a median position in the overall performance distribution. The card's raw compute metrics are modest: FP32 throughput is 60.80 GFLOPS, derived from 32 shading units. The pixel rate of 3.800 GPixel/s and texture rate of 7.600 GTexel/s, from 8 ROPs and 16 TMUs respectively, show a fill-rate profile typical of a mid-range mobile part of its era. Without nearest rival entries in the database, the analysis relies on these absolute figures. The 60.80 GFLOPS figure suggests the card can handle lightweight vertex and pixel workloads, but the 3.800 GPixel/s pixel rate will bottleneck at higher display resolutions. The 7.600 GTexel/s texture rate is similarly constrained. Overall, the 50th percentile placement indicates a balanced but unremarkable position relative to the entire GPU database.

The 32 shading units operate in conjunction with a memory clock of 700 MHz, though the core clock is not listed, so the FP32 figure stands as the primary compute indicator. The 16 texture mapping units and 8 raster operation units work in tandem to produce the 7.600 GTexel/s and 3.800 GPixel/s rates. These numbers are consistent with a card designed for 30 frames per second at low detail settings rather than high-refresh gaming. The 0 average benchmark score is a placeholder, but the percentile rank of 50 provides the only comparative context. In essence, the 8600M GT sits exactly at the midpoint of the database's performance spectrum, meaning that half of all tracked GPUs are faster and half are slower. The 60.80 GFLOPS compute throughput, when divided across the 32 shading units, yields a per-unit rate that is adequate for simple shader programs but insufficient for complex geometry or post-processing effects.

Who Should Consider It

Given the 512 MB frame buffer and 22.40 GB/s memory bandwidth, the 8600M GT is best suited for low-resolution gaming with reduced detail settings. The data shows that the card's FP32 throughput of 60.80 GFLOPS is adequate for older DirectX 10-era titles, but not for modern high-fidelity workloads. Users running at low resolutions will find the pixel rate of 3.800 GPixel/s sufficient for basic 3D rendering. The 128-bit memory bus and 22.40 GB/s bandwidth limit texture streaming, making high-resolution textures impractical. The card's 20 W TDP makes it appropriate for thin-and-light laptops where power draw is a concern. For those seeking to play games contemporary to its 2007 release, the card will handle modest settings, but for anything beyond that, it will struggle. The 512 MB VRAM is the primary constraint for modern applications, as many current titles require more than that just for the frame buffer. The 60.80 GFLOPS compute capacity is also a limiting factor for shader-heavy effects. Therefore, the ideal user is one who plays classic titles or uses the GPU for basic 3D acceleration on a legacy laptop. The 22.40 GB/s bandwidth, in particular, means that any game relying on large texture sets will experience significant stuttering, so users should stick to low-detail presets.

Memory Subsystem

The memory subsystem consists of 512 MB of GDDR3 memory connected via a 128-bit bus. The memory clock is 700 MHz, with an effective data rate of 1400 Mbps. This configuration yields a total bandwidth of 22.40 GB/s. For high resolutions, the 512 MB capacity is a significant limitation, as modern frame buffers exceed this size. The 128-bit bus width is narrower than high-end parts, but the 22.40 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient for the card's compute capabilities. The 1400 Mbps effective rate is typical for the era. The combination of 512 MB and 22.40 GB/s means that texture-heavy scenes will cause memory pressure, leading to stuttering. The pixel rate of 3.800 GPixel/s also limits how much data the memory can feed. Overall, the memory subsystem is adequate for low-resolution workloads, but not for high-resolution ones. The 128-bit bus width, when paired with the 700 MHz clock, produces a bandwidth that is roughly proportional to the card's fill rate. This balance suggests that the card is not severely bottlenecked in one direction, but both the capacity and bandwidth are at the low end of the spectrum for the 2007 era. The 512 MB capacity, in particular, is a hard ceiling for texture-heavy applications, and the 22.40 GB/s bandwidth means that even if the capacity were sufficient, the data transfer rate would still throttle performance.

Power and Cooling

The 8600M GT has a TDP of 20 W, which is modest for a mobile GPU. The card requires no power connectors, as indicated by the 'None' field. The slot width is listed as 'MXM Module', confirming a modular mobile form factor. The bus interface is MXM-II, which is an older standard. The 20 W TDP means that passive cooling is possible in some chassis, but most laptops will use a small fan. The absence of a suggested PSU in the database is consistent with a mobile part that draws power from the laptop's main battery and power adapter. The 80 nm process node contributes to the 20 W figure, though later parts on smaller nodes would achieve similar performance at lower power. The 289 million transistor count is relatively low, which also helps keep power draw down. The 20 W figure is a key selling point for mobile integration, as it allows for thinner designs without elaborate cooling solutions. The lack of power connectors simplifies the laptop's power delivery system, reducing the need for additional voltage regulation circuitry. The transistor density of 1.7M / mm² is a direct consequence of the 80 nm node, and it explains why the die size of 169 mm² is relatively small.

How It Compares

The database lists no nearest rivals for the 8600M GT, meaning no direct comparative scores are available. The card sits between the GeForce Go 7 and GeForce 9M generations in NVIDIA's product line, as indicated by the predecessor and successor fields. Its production status is end-of-life, so it has been superseded by the GeForce 9M series. The 50th percentile placement among all GPUs suggests it sits in the middle of the performance distribution, but without rival deltas, a precise positioning is impossible. The 60.80 GFLOPS FP32 figure and 22.40 GB/s bandwidth are the only quantitative measures for comparison. In the context of its own generation, the 8600M GT is a mid-range part. The absence of rival data in the FACT PACK means that any attempt to cite specific percentage deltas would be speculative. The 3.800 GPixel/s pixel rate and 7.600 GTexel/s texture rate are the only other metrics that could be compared, but without a reference point, they remain absolute numbers. The 50th percentile is the sole comparative statistic, and it places the card squarely in the median of the database. The end-of-life status indicates that the card is no longer in production, but the 50th percentile rank remains a useful historical reference for evaluating its performance relative to the entire GPU landscape.

FAQ

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT?

A: The memory bandwidth is 22.40 GB/s, derived from a 128-bit bus and 700 MHz memory clock (1400 Mbps effective).

Q: What is the TDP of this GPU?

A: The TDP is 20 W, and the card requires no power connectors.

Q: What process node is the G84 chip fabricated on?

A: The process node is 80 nm, with a die size of 169 mm² and 289 million transistors.

Q: What API versions does the 8600M GT support?

A: It supports DirectX 11.1 (10_0) and OpenGL 3.3.

Q: What is the bus interface of this card?

A: The bus interface is MXM-II, and the slot width is listed as MXM Module.

Q: What is the average benchmark score and percentile?

A: The average benchmark score is 0, and the card is at the 50th percentile of all GPUs.