GeForce GTX 460 v2 vs GeForce GTX 480M SLI

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 GTX 460 v2 vs GeForce GTX 480M SLI 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 GTX 460 v2 vs GeForce GTX 480M SLI: 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 GTX 460 v2

2011

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 10.1 vs 0 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 480M SLI across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 1 GB vs 2 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2011 hardware with 1 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌60% higher power demand at 160W vs 100W.

GeForce GTX 480M SLI

2010

Why buy it

✅18.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (2 GB vs 1 GB).
✅Draws 100W instead of 160W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌2010 hardware with 2 GB 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 10.1 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce GTX 480M SLI is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 18.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 1.7% in PassMark G3D (2,050 vs 2,016), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce GTX 460 v2 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a newer 2011 generation instead of 2010. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce GTX 460 v2 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. GeForce GTX 480M SLI still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce GTX 460 v2 vs GeForce GTX 480M SLI Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 460 v2

The GeForce GTX 460 v2 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 24 2011. It features the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 779 MHz. It has 336 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,016 points. Launch price was $199.

GeForce GTX 480M SLI

The GeForce GTX 480M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 25 2010. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 425 MHz. It has 704 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,050 points.

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Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 460 v2 scores 2,016 and the GeForce GTX 480M SLI reaches 2,050 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 460 v2 is built on Fermi 2.0 while the GeForce GTX 480M SLI uses Fermi, both on a 40 nm process. Shader units: 336 (GeForce GTX 460 v2) vs 704 (GeForce GTX 480M SLI).

Feature	GeForce GTX 460 v2	GeForce GTX 480M SLI
G3D Mark Score	2,016	2,050+2%
Architecture	Fermi 2.0	Fermi
Process Node	40 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	336	704+110%

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 460 v2	GeForce GTX 480M SLI
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 460 v2 has 1 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 480M SLI carries 2 GB. GeForce GTX 480M SLI gives you 100% 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 GTX 460 v2 and 128-bit on the GeForce GTX 480M SLI.

Feature	GeForce GTX 460 v2	GeForce GTX 480M SLI
VRAM Capacity	1 GB	2 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit

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Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (FL 11_0) (GeForce GTX 460 v2) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 480M SLI). OpenGL: 4.1 vs 4.0. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce GTX 460 v2	GeForce GTX 480M SLI
DirectX	12 (FL 11_0)	12 (11_0)
OpenGL	4.1+2%	4.0
Max Displays	2	2

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Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: Legacy (GeForce GTX 460 v2) vs PureVideo HD VP4 (GeForce GTX 480M SLI). Decoder: PureVideo VP4 vs PureVideo HD VP4. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GTX 460 v2) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GTX 480M SLI).

Feature	GeForce GTX 460 v2	GeForce GTX 480M SLI
Encoder	Legacy	PureVideo HD VP4
Decoder	PureVideo VP4	PureVideo HD VP4
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 460 v2 draws 160W versus the GeForce GTX 480M SLI's 100W — a 46.2% difference. The GeForce GTX 480M SLI is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce GTX 460 v2) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 480M SLI). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 1x 6-pin.

Feature	GeForce GTX 460 v2	GeForce GTX 480M SLI
TDP	160W	100W-38%
Recommended PSU	450W	350W-22%
Power Connector	2x 6-pin	1x 6-pin
Length	210mm	—
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	—	97°C
Perf/Watt	12.6	20.5+63%

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Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce GTX 460 v2 (2011 vs 2010).

Feature	GeForce GTX 460 v2	GeForce GTX 480M SLI
MSRP	$199	—
Codename	GF114	N11E-GTX-A3
Release	September 24 2011	May 25 2010
Ranking	#679	#637

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