GeForce GTX 590 vs GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2

GeForce GTX 590

2011Core: 607 MHz

GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2

2011Core: 783 MHz

Performance Spectrum - GPU

GeForce GTX 590

365

3,341

+0.3%

GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU

GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER

GeForce RTX 5060

GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2

106

3,331

0.0%

GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU

GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER

GeForce RTX 5060

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 590 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.3% higher G3D Mark score and 50% more VRAM (3 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2.

Insight	GeForce GTX 590	GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+0.3%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.3%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+50%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	—	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2 holds the technical lead. Priced at $30 (vs $100), it costs 70% less, resulting in a 232.3% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 590	GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+232.3%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($100)	✅More affordable ($30)

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.

GeForce GTX 590 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 590 and GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2

GeForce GTX 590

The GeForce GTX 590 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 24 2011. It features the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 607 MHz. It has 1024 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 365W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,341 points. Launch price was $699.

GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2

The GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 15 2011. It features the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 783 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 106W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,331 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 590 scores 3,341 and the GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2 reaches 3,331 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 590 is built on Fermi 2.0 while the GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2 uses Fermi 2.0, both on a 40 nm process. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce GTX 590) vs 192 (GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2). Raw compute: 1.244 TFLOPS ×2 (GeForce GTX 590) vs 0.6013 TFLOPS (GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2).

Feature	GeForce GTX 590	GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2
G3D Mark Score	3,341	3,331
Architecture	Fermi 2.0	Fermi 2.0
Process Node	40 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	1024 ×2+433%	192
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.244 TFLOPS ×2+107%	0.6013 TFLOPS
ROPs	48 ×2+200%	16
TMUs	64 ×2+100%	32
L1 Cache	1 MB+300%	0.25 MB
L2 Cache	768 KB+200%	256 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 590	GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 590 comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2 has 2 GB. The GeForce GTX 590 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 768 KB (GeForce GTX 590) vs 256 KB (GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2) — the GeForce GTX 590 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 590	GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2
VRAM Capacity	3 GB+50%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	256-bit+100%	128-bit
L2 Cache	768 KB+200%	256 KB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 590) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce GTX 590	GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2
DirectX	12 (11_0)	12 (11_0)
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4+100%	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP5) vs PureVideo HD VP4. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 590) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2).

Feature	GeForce GTX 590	GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2
Encoder	—	PureVideo HD VP4
Decoder	PureVideo HD (VP5)	PureVideo HD VP4
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 590 draws 365W versus the GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2's 106W — a 110% difference. The GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 700W (GeForce GTX 590) vs 400W (GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs 1x 6-pin. Typical load temperature: 90°C vs 68°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 590	GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2
TDP	365W	106W-71%
Recommended PSU	700W	400W-43%
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	1x 6-pin
Length	—	210mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	90°C	68°C-24%
Perf/Watt	9.2	31.4+241%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 590 launched at $699 MSRP and currently averages $100, while the GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2 launched at $129 and now averages $30. The GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2 costs 70% less ($70 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 33.4 (GeForce GTX 590) vs 111.0 (GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2) — the GeForce GTS 450 Rev. 2 offers 232.3% better value.