GeForce GTX 560 SE vs GeForce MX230

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 560 SE vs GeForce MX230 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 560 SE vs GeForce MX230: 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 560 SE

2012

Why buy it

✅Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce MX230 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 1 GB vs 2 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2012 hardware with 1 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌1400% higher power demand at 150W vs 10W.

GeForce MX230

2019

Why buy it

✅1.2% 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).
✅GeForce GTX 560 SE is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce MX230 is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 10W instead of 150W, a 140W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌2019 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce MX230 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 1.2% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce GTX 560 SE instead at 1,847 vs 1,826, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.

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

GeForce MX230 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 2 GB vs 1 GB of VRAM, a 14nm process instead of 40nm, and a newer 2019 generation instead of 2012. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce GTX 560 SE makes the most sense to buy today. It is priced the same on MSRP at $150 vs $150, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 1.2% (12.3 vs 12.2), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 560 SE is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce MX230 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 560 SE vs GeForce MX230 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 560 SE

The GeForce GTX 560 SE is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 20 2012. It features the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 736 MHz. It has 288 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,847 points. Launch price was $89.99.

GeForce MX230

The GeForce MX230 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 21 2019. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1519 MHz to 1582 MHz. It has 256 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 10W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,826 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 560 SE scores 1,847 and the GeForce MX230 reaches 1,826 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 560 SE is built on Fermi 2.0 while the GeForce MX230 uses Pascal, both on 40 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 288 (GeForce GTX 560 SE) vs 256 (GeForce MX230). Raw compute: 0.8479 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 560 SE) vs 0.81 TFLOPS (GeForce MX230).

Feature	GeForce GTX 560 SE	GeForce MX230
G3D Mark Score	1,847+1%	1,826
Architecture	Fermi 2.0	Pascal
Process Node	40 nm	14 nm
Shading Units	288+13%	256
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.8479 TFLOPS+5%	0.81 TFLOPS
ROPs	24+50%	16
TMUs	48+200%	16
L1 Cache	384 KB+300%	96 KB
L2 Cache	384 KB	512 KB+33%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 560 SE	GeForce MX230
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 560 SE has 1 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce MX230 carries 2 GB. GeForce MX230 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 560 SE and 64-bit on the GeForce MX230. L2 Cache: 384 KB (GeForce GTX 560 SE) vs 512 KB (GeForce MX230) — the GeForce MX230 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 560 SE	GeForce MX230
VRAM Capacity	1 GB	2 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	48 GB/s
Bus Width	128-bit+100%	64-bit
L2 Cache	384 KB	512 KB+33%

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 560 SE draws 150W versus the GeForce MX230's 10W — a 175% difference. The GeForce MX230 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 560 SE) vs 350W (GeForce MX230). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs Mobile.

Feature	GeForce GTX 560 SE	GeForce MX230
TDP	150W	10W-93%
Recommended PSU	500W	350W-30%
Power Connector	2x 6-pin	Mobile
Length	210mm	—
Slots	2	—
Perf/Watt	12.3	182.6+1385%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 560 SE came in at $150, while the GeForce MX230 launched at $150. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 12.3 (GeForce GTX 560 SE) vs 12.2 (GeForce MX230) — the GeForce GTX 560 SE offers 0.8% better value. The newer card here is GeForce MX230 (2019 vs 2012).

Feature	GeForce GTX 560 SE	GeForce MX230
MSRP	$150	$150
Performance per Dollar	12.3	12.2
Codename	GF114	GP108
Release	February 20 2012	February 21 2019
Ranking	#706	#708

Search GeForce GTX 560 SE on Amazon

Search GeForce MX230 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.