GeForce GT 420M vs Quadro FX 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 GT 420M vs Quadro FX 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 GT 420M vs Quadro FX 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 GT 420M

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 32W instead of 150W, a 118W reduction.
✅More future proof: Kepler (2012−2018) on 28nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than Quadro FX 4600 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 512 MB vs 768 MB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2012 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 0.2 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).

Quadro FX 4600

2008

Why buy it

✅30.9% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 0.2 vs 0 G3D/$ ($1,999 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (768 MB vs 512 MB).

Trade-offs

❌2008 hardware with 768 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌368.8% higher power demand at 150W vs 32W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

Quadro FX 4600 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 30.9% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 2.8% in PassMark G3D (403 vs 392), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce GT 420M is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 28nm process instead of 55nm and a newer 2012 generation instead of 2008. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

Quadro FX 4600 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, Quadro FX 4600 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce GT 420M has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GT 420M vs Quadro FX 4600 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GT 420M

The GeForce GT 420M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 22 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from Up to 625 MHz to 645 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 32W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 392 points.

Quadro FX 4600

The Quadro FX 4600 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in November 11 2008. It features the Tesla 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 602 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 403 points. Launch price was $1,799.

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Graphics Performance

The GeForce GT 420M scores 392 and the Quadro FX 4600 reaches 403 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GT 420M is built on Kepler while the Quadro FX 4600 uses Tesla 2.0, both on 28 nm vs 55 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce GT 420M) vs 192 (Quadro FX 4600). Raw compute: 0.48 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 420M) vs 0.4623 TFLOPS (Quadro FX 4600).

Feature	GeForce GT 420M	Quadro FX 4600
G3D Mark Score	392	403+3%
Architecture	Kepler	Tesla 2.0
Process Node	28 nm	55 nm
Shading Units	384+100%	192
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.48 TFLOPS+4%	0.4623 TFLOPS
ROPs	16	24+50%
TMUs	32	64+100%
L2 Cache	256 KB+33%	192 KB

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GT 420M gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Quadro FX 4600 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	GeForce GT 420M	Quadro FX 4600
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	Standard

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GT 420M has 512 MB of VRAM, while the Quadro FX 4600 carries 768 MB. Quadro FX 4600 gives you 50% 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 GT 420M and 64-bit on the Quadro FX 4600. L2 Cache: 256 KB (GeForce GT 420M) vs 192 KB (Quadro FX 4600) — the GeForce GT 420M has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GT 420M	Quadro FX 4600
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	0.75 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	128-bit+100%	64-bit
L2 Cache	256 KB+33%	192 KB

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GT 420M draws 32W versus the Quadro FX 4600's 150W — a 129.7% difference. The GeForce GT 420M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GT 420M) vs 350W (Quadro FX 4600). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered.

Feature	GeForce GT 420M	Quadro FX 4600
TDP	32W-79%	150W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	PCIe-powered
Length	0mm	—
Height	0mm	—
Slots	0	—
Temp (Load)	75°C	—
Perf/Watt	12.3+356%	2.7

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Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce GT 420M (2012 vs 2008).

Feature	GeForce GT 420M	Quadro FX 4600
MSRP	—	$1999
Codename	GK107	GT200B
Release	March 22 2012	November 11 2008
Ranking	#909	#884

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