GeForce GTX 460M vs GeForce GTX 260
GeForce GTX 460M
Popular choices:
GeForce GTX 260
Popular choices:
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 460M is positioned at rank 181 and the GeForce GTX 260 is on rank 293, 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 460M
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 260
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 460M | GeForce GTX 260 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.5%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.5%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi (2010−2014)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+71.4%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| 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 460M | GeForce GTX 260 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+1039.3%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($40) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($449) |
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 460M and GeForce GTX 260
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.
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.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 460M scores 1,218 and the GeForce GTX 260 reaches 1,200 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 460M is built on Fermi while the GeForce GTX 260 uses Tesla 2.0, both on 40 nm vs 65 nm. Shader units: 192 (GeForce GTX 460M) vs 192 (GeForce GTX 260). Raw compute: 0.5184 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 460M) vs 0.4769 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 260).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 460M | GeForce GTX 260 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 1,218+2% | 1,200 |
| Architecture | Fermi | Tesla 2.0 |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 65 nm |
| Shading Units | 192 | 192 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.5184 TFLOPS+9% | 0.4769 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 24 | 28+17% |
| TMUs | 32 | 64+100% |
| L2 Cache | 384 KB+71% | 224 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 460M | GeForce GTX 260 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 460M comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 260 has 896 MB. 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: 384 KB (GeForce GTX 460M) vs 224 KB (GeForce GTX 260) — the GeForce GTX 460M has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 460M | GeForce GTX 260 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1.5 GB+71% | 0.875 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 384 KB+71% | 224 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 460M) vs 10_0 (GeForce GTX 260). Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 460M | GeForce GTX 260 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0)+20% | 10_0 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP4 (GeForce GTX 460M) vs NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 260). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs NVDEC 1st Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GTX 460M) vs H.264 (GeForce GTX 260).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 460M | GeForce GTX 260 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | PureVideo HD VP4 | NVENC 1st Gen |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP4 | NVDEC 1st Gen |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP | H.264 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 460M draws 50W versus the GeForce GTX 260's 182W — a 113.8% difference. The GeForce GTX 460M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 460M) vs 500W (GeForce GTX 260). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 2x 6-pin.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 460M | GeForce GTX 260 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 50W-73% | 182W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-30% | 500W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | 2x 6-pin |
| Length | — | 267mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 24.4+270% | 6.6 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 460M costs 91.1% less ($409 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 30.4 (GeForce GTX 460M) vs 2.7 (GeForce GTX 260) — the GeForce GTX 460M offers 1025.9% better value. The GeForce GTX 460M is the newer GPU (2010 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 460M | GeForce GTX 260 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $449 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40-91% | $449 |
| Performance per Dollar | 30.4+1026% | 2.7 |
| Codename | GF106 | GT200 |
| Release | September 3 2010 | June 16 2008 |
| Ranking | #814 | #821 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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