GeForce GTX 480 vs GeForce GTX 1060
GeForce GTX 480
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GeForce GTX 1060
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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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce GTX 1060 is significantly newer (2016 vs 2010). The GeForce GTX 1060 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 480 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 1060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 147% higher G3D Mark score and 300% more VRAM (6 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 480.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-147%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+147%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi (2010−2014)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+300%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 1060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 1060 holds the technical lead. Priced at $60 (vs $100), it costs 40% less, resulting in a 311.6% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+311.6%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($100) | ✅More affordable ($60) |
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 480 and GeForce GTX 1060
GeForce GTX 480
The GeForce GTX 480 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 26 2010. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 700 MHz. It has 480 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,075 points. Launch price was $499.
GeForce GTX 1060
The GeForce GTX 1060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 27 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1607 MHz to 1733 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,064 points. Launch price was $599.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 480 scores 4,075 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 147%. The GeForce GTX 480 is built on Fermi while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 40 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 480 (GeForce GTX 480) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 1.345 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 480) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 4,075 | 10,064+147% |
| Architecture | Fermi | Pascal |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 16 nm |
| Shading Units | 480 | 2560+433% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.345 TFLOPS | 8.873 TFLOPS+560% |
| ROPs | 48 | 64+33% |
| TMUs | 60 | 160+167% |
| L1 Cache | 960 KB | 960 KB |
| L2 Cache | 0.75 MB | 2 MB+167% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 480 comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB. The GeForce GTX 1060 offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 177.4 GB/s (GeForce GTX 480) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 8.2% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1060. Bus width: 384-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 0.75 MB (GeForce GTX 480) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1.5 GB | 6 GB+300% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 177.4 GB/s | 192 GB/s+8% |
| Bus Width | 384-bit+100% | 192-bit |
| L2 Cache | 0.75 MB | 2 MB+167% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 480) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0) | 12 |
| Vulkan | 1.2 | 1.3+8% |
| OpenGL | 4.6+2% | 4.5 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 4+100% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP4 (GeForce GTX 480) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GTX 480) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | PureVideo HD VP4 | NVENC (Pascal) |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP4 | NVDEC (Pascal) |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP | H.264,H.265/HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 480 draws 250W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 32.6% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce GTX 480) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 173mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 250W | 180W-28% |
| Recommended PSU | 600W | 400W-33% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | 6-pin |
| Length | 267mm | 173mm |
| Height | 111mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 90°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 16.3 | 55.9+243% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 480 launched at $499 MSRP and currently averages $100, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 and now averages $60. The GeForce GTX 1060 costs 40% less ($40 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 40.8 (GeForce GTX 480) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 311% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2010).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $499 | $249-50% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $100 | $60-40% |
| Performance per Dollar | 40.8 | 167.7+311% |
| Codename | GF100 | GP104 |
| Release | March 26 2010 | May 27 2016 |
| Ranking | #488 | #137 |
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