GeForce2 MX/MX 400 vs GeForce3

NVIDIA

GeForce2 MX/MX 400

2020Core: 1395 MHzBoost: 1575 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce3

2015Core: 928 MHzBoost: 941 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce2 MX/MX 400 vs GeForce3 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.

GeForce2 MX/MX 400 vs GeForce3 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.

GeForce2 MX/MX 400 vs GeForce3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce2 MX/MX 400

2020

Why buy it

  • Costs $370 less on MSRP ($129 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
  • Delivers 209.5% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 0.0 vs 0.0 G3D/$ ($129 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
  • 693.7% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (512 MB vs 65 MB).
  • GeForce3 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce2 MX/MX 400 is the less risky modern option long term.
  • Draws 25W instead of 33W, a 8W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (4 vs 5).
  • 2020 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.

GeForce3

2015

Why buy it

  • +25% higher PassMark G3D performance.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with 65 MB vs 512 MB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2015 hardware with 65 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 286.8% HIGHER MSRP
    $499 MSRPvs$129 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.0 vs 0.0 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $129 MSRP).
  • 32% higher power demand at 33W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce3 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 25% in PassMark G3D (5 vs 4), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce2 MX/MX 400 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 512 MB vs 65 MB of VRAM, a 12nm process instead of 28nm, and a newer 2020 generation instead of 2015. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce2 MX/MX 400 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $370 cheaper on MSRP at $129 vs $499, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 209.5% (0.0 vs 0.0), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce3 still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce2 MX/MX 400 vs GeForce3 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce2 MX/MX 400

The GeForce2 MX/MX 400 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: 4 points.

NVIDIA

GeForce3

The GeForce3 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 928 MHz to 941 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce2 MX/MX 400 scores 4 versus the GeForce3's 5 — the GeForce3 leads by 25%. The GeForce2 MX/MX 400 is built on Turing while the GeForce3 uses Maxwell, both on 12 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 896 (GeForce2 MX/MX 400) vs 384 (GeForce3). Raw compute: 3.226 TFLOPS (GeForce2 MX/MX 400) vs 0.7227 TFLOPS (GeForce3). Boost clocks: 1575 MHz vs 941 MHz.

FeatureGeForce2 MX/MX 400GeForce3
G3D Mark Score
4
5+25%
Architecture
Turing
Maxwell
Process Node
12 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
896+133%
384
Compute (TFLOPS)
3.226 TFLOPS+346%
0.7227 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1575 MHz+67%
941 MHz
ROPs
32+300%
8
TMUs
64+167%
24

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce2 MX/MX 400GeForce3
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 GeForce2 MX/MX 400 has 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce3 carries 65 MB. GeForce2 MX/MX 400 gives you 693.7% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GeForce2 MX/MX 400 and 64-bit on the GeForce3.

FeatureGeForce2 MX/MX 400GeForce3
VRAM Capacity
0.5 GB+694%
0.063 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
64-bit
64-bit
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 7.0 (GeForce2 MX/MX 400) vs 8.1 (GeForce3). OpenGL: 1.2 vs 1.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

FeatureGeForce2 MX/MX 400GeForce3
DirectX
7.0
8.1+16%
OpenGL
1.2
1.3+8%
Max Displays
2
2
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (GeForce2 MX/MX 400) vs None (GeForce3). Decoder: MPEG-2 Decoder vs None. Supported codecs: MPEG-2 (GeForce2 MX/MX 400) vs MPEG-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce3).

FeatureGeForce2 MX/MX 400GeForce3
Encoder
None
None
Decoder
MPEG-2 Decoder
None
Codecs
MPEG-2
MPEG-1,MPEG-2
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce2 MX/MX 400 draws 25W versus the GeForce3's 33W — a 27.6% difference. The GeForce2 MX/MX 400 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce2 MX/MX 400) vs 350W (GeForce3). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 55°C vs 85.

FeatureGeForce2 MX/MX 400GeForce3
TDP
25W-24%
33W
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
PCIe-powered
Length
165mm
Height
100mm
100mm
Slots
1
1
Temp (Load)
55°C-35%
85
Perf/Watt
0.2
0.2
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce2 MX/MX 400 came in at $129, while the GeForce3 launched at $499. On MSRP, GeForce2 MX/MX 400 was 74.1% cheaper ($370 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.0 (GeForce2 MX/MX 400) vs 0.0 (GeForce3) — the GeForce3 offers 0% better value. The newer card here is GeForce2 MX/MX 400 (2020 vs 2015).

FeatureGeForce2 MX/MX 400GeForce3
MSRP
$129-74%
$499
Performance per Dollar
0.0
0.0
Codename
N17S-G5 / GP107-670-A1
GM108
Release
August 1 2020
March 13 2015
Ranking
#523
#810

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