GeForce GTX 480 vs GeForce GTX 660
GeForce GTX 480
Popular choices:
GeForce GTX 660
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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
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 480 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.9% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 660 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 660 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.9%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.9%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi (2010−2014)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 660 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 660 holds the technical lead. Priced at $15 (vs $100), it costs 85% less, resulting in a 560.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 660 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+560.9%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($100) | ✅More affordable ($15) |
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 660
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 660
The GeForce GTX 660 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 6 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 980 MHz to 1033 MHz. It has 960 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 140W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,040 points. Launch price was $229.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 480 scores 4,075 and the GeForce GTX 660 reaches 4,040 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 480 is built on Fermi while the GeForce GTX 660 uses Kepler, both on 40 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 480 (GeForce GTX 480) vs 960 (GeForce GTX 660). Raw compute: 1.345 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 480) vs 1.981 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 660).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 660 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 4,075 | 4,040 |
| Architecture | Fermi | Kepler |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 480 | 960+100% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.345 TFLOPS | 1.981 TFLOPS+47% |
| ROPs | 48+100% | 24 |
| TMUs | 60 | 80+33% |
| L1 Cache | 960 KB+1100% | 80 KB |
| L2 Cache | 768 KB+100% | 384 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 660 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 660 has 3 GB. The GeForce GTX 660 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 177.4 GB/s (GeForce GTX 480) vs 144.2 GB/s (GeForce GTX 660) — a 23% advantage for the GeForce GTX 480. Bus width: 384-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 768 KB (GeForce GTX 480) vs 384 KB (GeForce GTX 660) — the GeForce GTX 480 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 660 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1.5 GB | 3 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 177.4 GB/s+23% | 144.2 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 384-bit+100% | 192-bit |
| L2 Cache | 768 KB+100% | 384 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 480) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 660). Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 660 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0) | 12 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 4+100% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP4 (GeForce GTX 480) vs NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 660). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs NVDEC 1st Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GTX 480) vs H.264 (GeForce GTX 660).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 660 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 480 draws 250W versus the GeForce GTX 660's 140W — a 56.4% difference. The GeForce GTX 660 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce GTX 480) vs 450W (GeForce GTX 660). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 241mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 660 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 250W | 140W-44% |
| Recommended PSU | 600W | 450W-25% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin + 8-pin | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | 267mm | 241mm |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 90°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 16.3 | 28.9+77% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 480 launched at $499 MSRP and currently averages $100, while the GeForce GTX 660 launched at $229 and now averages $15. The GeForce GTX 660 costs 85% less ($85 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 40.8 (GeForce GTX 480) vs 269.3 (GeForce GTX 660) — the GeForce GTX 660 offers 560% better value. The GeForce GTX 660 is the newer GPU (2012 vs 2010).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 480 | GeForce GTX 660 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $499 | $229-54% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $100 | $15-85% |
| Performance per Dollar | 40.8 | 269.3+560% |
| Codename | GF100 | GK106 |
| Release | March 26 2010 | September 6 2012 |
| Ranking | #488 | #490 |
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