The Nvidia GeForce 9800M GS is a graphics adapter for laptops and based on the G94 core with 64 shader processors. The chip is produced in 55nm (as the 1024 MB versions of the 9800M GTS and the GTS 160M). Because of the max. 512 MB GDDR3 the TDP is lower (60 Watt) than the 9800M GTS (512 and 1024 MB version: 75W).
Because of the additional shaders but lower clock speed than the GTS, the 9800M GS is between the 9700M GTS and 9800M GTS. Therefore, DirectX 10 games of 2008 should all be playable in medium to high details.
As all cards with DirectX 10 capabilities, the GeForce 9800M GS renders the 3D images using "Unified Shaders". There don't exist any more dedicated pixel- and vertex shaders but 64 so called stream processors make the graphic work (which has been done by pixel and vertex shaders in former days). Furthermore, the shader units are higher clocked than the chip.
An advantage of the GeForce 9000 series is the integrated PureVideo HD video processor. It is able to help with the decoding of H.264-, VC-1-, MPEG2- and WMV9 video material in HD quality and eases the CPU.
In conjunction with the Nvidia 9100M G integrated graphics, the 9800M GS supports Hybrid-SLI (only HybridPower). HybridPower is a technique to choose between the integrated and dedicated graphics core, if performance or battery runtime is needed. This works only in Windows Vista. Up to now the user has to use a tool to switch between the GPUs. Later Nvidia wants to switch automatically in the drivers. GeForceBoost is not supported with this card, as there would be no performance gain to combine the integrated GPU with the 9800M GS.
Compared to desktop graphics cards, the 9800M GS should be a bit slower than the GeForce 9600M GT.
The Nvidia GeForce 9800M GTS is a graphics adapter for laptops and is based on the G94 core with 64 shader processors. The chip is produced in 65nm (512 MB) and later in 55nm (1024 MB versions). Therefore, the power consumption between both boards are similar at about 75 watts each. Note that the 55nm version of the 9800M GTS was later renamed to the GeForce GTS 160M.
Because of the additional shaders and higher clock speeds, the 9800M GTS is noticeably faster than the 9700M GTS (see benchmarks below). Therefore, DirectX 10 games of 2008 should all be playable in medium to high detail settings.
As with all DirectX 10 cards, the GeForce 9800M GTS renders 3D images using "Unified Shaders". Dedicated pixel- and vertex shaders are completely replaced with 64 so called Stream Processors, which now take over most of the graphics workload. Furthermore, these shader units are clocked higher than the core GPU itself.
An advantage of the GeForce 9000 series is the integrated PureVideo HD video processor. The GPU is able to assist the CPU in the decoding of H.264-, VC-1-, MPEG2- and WMV9 video formats throughout a wide range of resolutions.
In conjunction with the Nvidia 9100M G integrated graphics, the 9800M GTS supports Hybrid-SLI (only HybridPower). HybridPower is a Windows Vista-only technique for switching between integrated and discrete graphics for power-saving purposes. The technology was eventually supplanted by a more automatic and optimized system, called Optimus. GeForceBoost is not supported with this card as there would be no performance gain from combining the discrete 9800M GTS with the integrated GPU.
Compared to desktop graphics cards, the 9800M GTS should be a bit slower than the GeForce 8800 GS, the latter of which has a higher memory clock rate.
Average Benchmarks NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GS → 100%n=7
Average Benchmarks NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTS → 120%n=7
- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card - Average benchmark values for this graphics card * Smaller numbers mean a higher performance 1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation
Game Benchmarks
The following benchmarks stem from our benchmarks of review laptops. The performance depends on the used graphics memory, clock rate, processor, system settings, drivers, and operating systems. So the results don't have to be representative for all laptops with this GPU. For detailed information on the benchmark results, click on the fps number.