GeForce GTX 680MX vs GeForce MX450

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 680MX

2012Core: 720 MHz
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce MX450

2020Core: 1395 MHzBoost: 1575 MHz
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GeForce GTX 680MX vs GeForce MX450 Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce GTX 680MX vs GeForce MX450 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 680MX vs GeForce MX450: 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 680MX

2012

Why buy it

  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 2 GB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce MX450 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • 2012 hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 14.9 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
  • 388% higher power demand at 122W vs 25W.

GeForce MX450

2020

Why buy it

  • 7.5% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 14.9 vs 0 G3D/$ ($250 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • GeForce GTX 680MX is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce MX450 is the less risky modern option long term.
  • Draws 25W instead of 122W, a 97W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • Older hardware, 2 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce MX450 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 7.5% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce GTX 680MX instead at 3,799 vs 3,720, 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 MX450 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 12nm process instead of 28nm and a newer 2020 generation instead of 2012. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce MX450 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce GTX 680MX vs GeForce MX450 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 680MX

The GeForce GTX 680MX is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 23 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 720 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 122W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,799 points.

NVIDIA

GeForce MX450

The GeForce MX450 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 1 2020. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1395 MHz to 1575 MHz. It has 896 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 25W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,720 points.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 680MX scores 3,799 and the GeForce MX450 reaches 3,720 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 680MX is built on Kepler while the GeForce MX450 uses Turing, both on 28 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 1,536 (GeForce GTX 680MX) vs 896 (GeForce MX450).

FeatureGeForce GTX 680MXGeForce MX450
G3D Mark Score
3,799+2%
3,720
Architecture
Kepler
Turing
Process Node
28 nm
12 nm
Shading Units
1536+71%
896

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GTX 680MXGeForce MX450
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 680MX has 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce MX450 carries 2 GB. GeForce GTX 680MX gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 160 GB/s (GeForce GTX 680MX) vs 80 GB/s (GeForce MX450) — a 100% advantage for the GeForce GTX 680MX. Memory bus width is 256-bit on the GeForce GTX 680MX and 64-bit on the GeForce MX450.

FeatureGeForce GTX 680MXGeForce MX450
VRAM Capacity
4 GB+100%
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
160 GB/s+100%
80 GB/s
Bus Width
256-bit+300%
64-bit
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 680MX draws 122W versus the GeForce MX450's 25W — a 132% difference. The GeForce MX450 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 680MX) vs 350W (GeForce MX450). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs Mobile.

FeatureGeForce GTX 680MXGeForce MX450
TDP
122W
25W-80%
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
1x 6-pin
Mobile
Length
0mm
Height
0mm
Slots
0
Temp (Load)
80
Perf/Watt
31.1
148.8+378%
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce MX450 (2020 vs 2012).

FeatureGeForce GTX 680MXGeForce MX450
MSRP
$250
Codename
N17S-G5 / GP107-670-A1
Release
October 23 2012
August 1 2020
Ranking
#520
#523

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