FortiGate G-Series Upgrade Guide: 50G, 70G & 90G

Fortinet’s G-series next-generation firewalls — the FortiGate 50G, 70G, and 90G — represent a significant leap forward in performance, security, and energy efficiency. For businesses currently running older E-series (60E, 80E, 100E) or F-series (60F, 80F, 100F) models, the upgrade path to G-series is compelling across every metric that matters.

Why Upgrade from E-Series?

The E-series models (60E, 80E, 100E) were launched several years ago and are approaching or have reached end-of-life status. Key concerns include:

• Diminishing support: Older firmware versions receive fewer security updates over time
• Performance ceilings: E-series hardware cannot keep up with modern encrypted traffic demands
• No AI-powered security: Lacks the hardware acceleration needed for Fortinet’s latest AI-driven threat prevention
• Higher power consumption per Gbps: Significantly less energy-efficient than modern equivalents

Why Upgrade from F-Series?

The F-series (60F, 80F, 100F) are still capable firewalls, but the G-series closes several gaps:

• 2-5x throughput improvement across firewall, VPN, and threat protection
• Up to 42x better energy efficiency — the 70G consumes just 0.9W per Gbps of firewall throughput
• Built-in FortiAI for generative AI-assisted threat analysis and playbook creation
• Next-gen NP7/SP5 processors deliver line-rate security at higher throughput

Model-by-Model Upgrade Path

FortiGate 60E / 60F → FortiGate 50G

The 50G is the ideal replacement for the 60E and a strong upgrade option for the 60F. It delivers 5 Gbps firewall throughput (3x the competitor average), 720K concurrent sessions, and 4.5 Gbps IPsec VPN — all in a fanless, ultra-low-power desktop form factor consuming just 8.9W. For cost-sensitive branch offices and retail locations, the 50G offers a dramatic performance uplift.

FortiGate 80E / 80F → FortiGate 70G

The 70G is the standout in the new lineup. With 10 Gbps firewall throughput, 1.4 million concurrent sessions (4x the competition), and industry-leading energy efficiency (42x better than competitors), the 70G is a natural upgrade for the 80E and a worthwhile refresh for the 80F. It handles IPsec VPN at 7.1 Gbps — 11x the competitor average — making it ideal for branch offices with heavy VPN traffic or SD-WAN deployments.

FortiGate 100E / 100F → FortiGate 90G

The 90G offers the highest throughput in this class, with approximately 20+ Gbps firewall performance and more port options including PoE. It is the right upgrade for the 100E or 100F in larger branch offices or small headquarters where scalability and port density matter. The 90G also provides additional headroom for growing businesses that want to consolidate security functions.

Key Benefits at a Glance

Benefit	What It Means for Your Business
3-10x performance gain	Handle more traffic, more SSL inspection, and more concurrent users without bottlenecks
AI-powered threat protection	FortiGuard AI and FortiAI provide real-time detection of zero-day threats and ransomware
Up to 42x better energy efficiency	Lower electricity costs and reduced carbon footprint — meaningful for multi-site deployments
Built-in SD-WAN	Optimize WAN connectivity across MPLS, broadband, and LTE with application-aware routing
Future-proof architecture	NP7/SP5 processors and FortiOS ensure compatibility with future security updates and features
Compact, fanless design	Silent operation, reliable for office environments, no moving parts to fail

Is It Time to Upgrade?

If your FortiGate E-series devices are due for hardware refresh, the G-series delivers a generational leap in performance and security capability. For F-series users, the upgrade is less urgent but worth planning — particularly if you need AI security features, higher VPN throughput, or are expanding SD-WAN deployments.

Fortinet’s G-series completes the lineup from 30G through 200G, ensuring there is a model for every site size. Need help assessing the right model for each of your locations? Contact our team for a complimentary firewall review.

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