GeForce GTX 660 vs GeForce GTX 480

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 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 660	GeForce GTX 480
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.9%)	✅Leading raw performance (+0.9%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi (2010−2014))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+100%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	Standard Size (267mm)

💎 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 660	GeForce GTX 480
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+560.9%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($15)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($100)

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 660 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 480 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 660 and GeForce GTX 480

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.

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.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 660 scores 4,040 and the GeForce GTX 480 reaches 4,075 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 660 is built on Kepler while the GeForce GTX 480 uses Fermi, both on 28 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 960 (GeForce GTX 660) vs 480 (GeForce GTX 480). Raw compute: 1.981 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 660) vs 1.345 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 480).

Feature	GeForce GTX 660	GeForce GTX 480
G3D Mark Score	4,040	4,075
Architecture	Kepler	Fermi
Process Node	28 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	960+100%	480
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.981 TFLOPS+47%	1.345 TFLOPS
ROPs	24	48+100%
TMUs	80+33%	60
L1 Cache	80 KB	960 KB+1100%
L2 Cache	384 KB	768 KB+100%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 660	GeForce GTX 480
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 660 comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 480 has 2 GB. The GeForce GTX 660 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 144.2 GB/s (GeForce GTX 660) vs 177.4 GB/s (GeForce GTX 480) — a 23% advantage for the GeForce GTX 480. Bus width: 192-bit vs 384-bit. L2 Cache: 384 KB (GeForce GTX 660) vs 768 KB (GeForce GTX 480) — the GeForce GTX 480 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 660	GeForce GTX 480
VRAM Capacity	3 GB+100%	1.5 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	144.2 GB/s	177.4 GB/s+23%
Bus Width	192-bit	384-bit+100%
L2 Cache	384 KB	768 KB+100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 660) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 480). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce GTX 660	GeForce GTX 480
DirectX	12	12 (11_0)
Max Displays	4+100%	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 660) vs PureVideo HD VP4 (GeForce GTX 480). Decoder: NVDEC 1st Gen vs PureVideo HD VP4. Supported codecs: H.264 (GeForce GTX 660) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GTX 480).

Feature	GeForce GTX 660	GeForce GTX 480
Encoder	NVENC 1st Gen	PureVideo HD VP4
Decoder	NVDEC 1st Gen	PureVideo HD VP4
Codecs	H.264	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 660 draws 140W versus the GeForce GTX 480's 250W — a 56.4% difference. The GeForce GTX 660 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce GTX 660) vs 600W (GeForce GTX 480). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 241mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 660	GeForce GTX 480
TDP	140W-44%	250W
Recommended PSU	450W-25%	600W
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	6-pin + 8-pin
Length	241mm	267mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	—	90°C
Perf/Watt	28.9+77%	16.3

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 660 launched at $229 MSRP and currently averages $15, while the GeForce GTX 480 launched at $499 and now averages $100. The GeForce GTX 660 costs 85% less ($85 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 269.3 (GeForce GTX 660) vs 40.8 (GeForce GTX 480) — the GeForce GTX 660 offers 560% better value. The GeForce GTX 660 is the newer GPU (2012 vs 2010).