GeForce GTX 260 vs GeForce GTX 460M
GeForce GTX 260
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GeForce GTX 460M
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The GeForce GTX 260 is positioned at rank 293 and the GeForce GTX 460M is on rank 181, so the GeForce GTX 460M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 260
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 460M
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 460M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.5% higher G3D Mark score and 71.4% more VRAM (2 GB vs 896 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 260.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 260 | GeForce GTX 460M |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.5%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.5%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi (2010−2014)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+71.4%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 460M offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 460M holds the technical lead. Priced at $40 (vs $449), it costs 91% less, resulting in a 1039.3% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 260 | GeForce GTX 460M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+1039.3%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($449) | ✅More affordable ($40) |
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 260 and GeForce GTX 460M
GeForce GTX 260
The GeForce GTX 260 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 16 2008. It features the Tesla 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 576 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 182W. Manufactured using 65 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,200 points. Launch price was $449.
GeForce GTX 460M
The GeForce GTX 460M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 3 2010. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 675 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,218 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 260 scores 1,200 and the GeForce GTX 460M reaches 1,218 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 260 is built on Tesla 2.0 while the GeForce GTX 460M uses Fermi, both on 65 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 192 (GeForce GTX 260) vs 192 (GeForce GTX 460M). Raw compute: 0.4769 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 260) vs 0.5184 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 460M).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 260 | GeForce GTX 460M |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 1,200 | 1,218+2% |
| Architecture | Tesla 2.0 | Fermi |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 40 nm |
| Shading Units | 192 | 192 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.4769 TFLOPS | 0.5184 TFLOPS+9% |
| ROPs | 28+17% | 24 |
| TMUs | 64+100% | 32 |
| L2 Cache | 224 KB | 384 KB+71% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 260 | GeForce GTX 460M |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 260 comes with 896 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 460M has 2 GB. The GeForce GTX 460M offers 71.4% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 224 KB (GeForce GTX 260) vs 384 KB (GeForce GTX 460M) — the GeForce GTX 460M has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 260 | GeForce GTX 460M |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.875 GB | 1.5 GB+71% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 224 KB | 384 KB+71% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 10_0 (GeForce GTX 260) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 460M). Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 260 | GeForce GTX 460M |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 10_0 | 12 (11_0)+20% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 260) vs PureVideo HD VP4 (GeForce GTX 460M). Decoder: NVDEC 1st Gen vs PureVideo HD VP4. Supported codecs: H.264 (GeForce GTX 260) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GTX 460M).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 260 | GeForce GTX 460M |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 1st Gen | PureVideo HD VP4 |
| Decoder | NVDEC 1st Gen | PureVideo HD VP4 |
| Codecs | H.264 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 260 draws 182W versus the GeForce GTX 460M's 50W — a 113.8% difference. The GeForce GTX 460M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 260) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 460M). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 1x 6-pin.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 260 | GeForce GTX 460M |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 182W | 50W-73% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 350W-30% |
| Power Connector | 2x 6-pin | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | 267mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | — | 80°C |
| Perf/Watt | 6.6 | 24.4+270% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 460M costs 91.1% less ($409 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 2.7 (GeForce GTX 260) vs 30.4 (GeForce GTX 460M) — the GeForce GTX 460M offers 1025.9% better value. The GeForce GTX 460M is the newer GPU (2010 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 260 | GeForce GTX 460M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $449 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $449 | $40-91% |
| Performance per Dollar | 2.7 | 30.4+1026% |
| Codename | GT200 | GF106 |
| Release | June 16 2008 | September 3 2010 |
| Ranking | #821 | #814 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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