GeForce 256 vs GeForce4 Ti 4600

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

GeForce 256 vs GeForce4 Ti 4600 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce 256 vs GeForce4 Ti 4600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce 256

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $200 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
✅Delivers 67.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 0.0 vs 0.0 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
✅300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (512 MB vs 128 MB).
✅GeForce4 Ti 4600 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce 256 is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 10W instead of 160W, a 150W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (5 vs 6).
❌2019 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.

GeForce4 Ti 4600

2010

Why buy it

✅+20% higher PassMark G3D performance.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 128 MB vs 512 MB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2010 hardware with 128 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌
100.5% HIGHER MSRP
$399 MSRPvs$199 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.0 vs 0.0 G3D/$ ($399 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌1500% higher power demand at 160W vs 10W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce4 Ti 4600 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 20% in PassMark G3D (6 vs 5), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce 256 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 512 MB vs 128 MB of VRAM, a 14nm process instead of 40nm, and a newer 2019 generation instead of 2010. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce 256 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $200 cheaper on MSRP at $199 vs $399, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 67.1% (0.0 vs 0.0), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce4 Ti 4600 still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce 256 vs GeForce4 Ti 4600 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

GeForce 256

The GeForce 256 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 20 2019. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 937 MHz to 1038 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 10W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5 points.

GeForce4 Ti 4600

The GeForce4 Ti 4600 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 12 2010. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 675 MHz. It has 336 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6 points. Launch price was $229.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce 256 scores 5 versus the GeForce4 Ti 4600's 6 — the GeForce4 Ti 4600 leads by 20%. The GeForce 256 is built on Pascal while the GeForce4 Ti 4600 uses Fermi, both on 14 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 256) vs 336 (GeForce4 Ti 4600). Raw compute: 0.7972 TFLOPS (GeForce 256) vs 0.9072 TFLOPS (GeForce4 Ti 4600).

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce4 Ti 4600
G3D Mark Score	5	6+20%
Architecture	Pascal	Fermi
Process Node	14 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	384+14%	336
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.7972 TFLOPS	0.9072 TFLOPS+14%
ROPs	16	32+100%
TMUs	24	56+133%
L1 Cache	144 KB	448 KB+211%
L2 Cache	512 KB	512 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce4 Ti 4600
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce 256 has 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce4 Ti 4600 carries 128 MB. GeForce 256 gives you 300% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce 256 and 64-bit on the GeForce4 Ti 4600.

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce4 Ti 4600
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB+300%	0.125 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	128-bit+100%	64-bit
L2 Cache	512 KB	512 KB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 7.0 (GeForce 256) vs 8.1 (GeForce4 Ti 4600). OpenGL: 1.2 vs 1.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce4 Ti 4600
DirectX	7.0	8.1+16%
OpenGL	1.2	1.3+8%
Max Displays	1	2+100%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (GeForce 256) vs No (GeForce4 Ti 4600). Decoder: MPEG-2 Motion Comp vs No.

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce4 Ti 4600
Encoder	None	No
Decoder	MPEG-2 Motion Comp	No
Codecs	MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 256 draws 10W versus the GeForce4 Ti 4600's 160W — a 176.5% difference. The GeForce 256 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 256) vs 350W (GeForce4 Ti 4600). Power connectors: Legacy vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 165mm vs 216mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 60°C vs 65°C.

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce4 Ti 4600
TDP	10W-94%	160W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	PCIe-powered
Length	165mm	216mm
Height	100mm	111mm
Slots	1	1
Temp (Load)	60°C-8%	65°C
Perf/Watt	0.5	0.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce 256 came in at $199, while the GeForce4 Ti 4600 launched at $399. On MSRP, GeForce 256 was 50.1% cheaper ($200 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.0 (GeForce 256) vs 0.0 (GeForce4 Ti 4600) — the GeForce4 Ti 4600 offers 0% better value. The newer card here is GeForce 256 (2019 vs 2010).

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce4 Ti 4600
MSRP	$199-50%	$399
Performance per Dollar	0.0	0.0
Codename	GP108B	GF104
Release	February 20 2019	July 12 2010
Ranking	#643	#652

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