GeForce3 vs GeForce4 MX 460

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.

GeForce3 vs GeForce4 MX 460 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.

GeForce3 vs GeForce4 MX 460: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

GeForce3

2015

Why buy it

✅+25% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Draws 33W instead of 160W, a 127W reduction.
✅More future proof: Maxwell (2014−2017) on 28nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 65 MB vs 128 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.
❌
178.8% HIGHER MSRP
$499 MSRPvs$179 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.0 vs 0.0 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).

GeForce4 MX 460

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $320 less on MSRP ($179 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 123% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 0.0 vs 0.0 G3D/$ ($179 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅98.4% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (128 MB vs 65 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (4 vs 5).
❌2010 hardware with 128 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌384.8% higher power demand at 160W vs 33W.

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?

GeForce3 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 28nm process instead of 40nm and a newer 2015 generation instead of 2010. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce4 MX 460 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $320 cheaper on MSRP at $179 vs $499, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 123% (0.0 vs 0.0), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce4 MX 460 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce3 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce3 vs GeForce4 MX 460 Technical Specifications

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

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.

GeForce4 MX 460

The GeForce4 MX 460 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 12 2010. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 675 MHz. It has 336 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4 points. Launch price was $229.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce3 scores 5 versus the GeForce4 MX 460's 4 — the GeForce3 leads by 25%. The GeForce3 is built on Maxwell while the GeForce4 MX 460 uses Fermi, both on 28 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce3) vs 336 (GeForce4 MX 460). Raw compute: 0.7227 TFLOPS (GeForce3) vs 0.9072 TFLOPS (GeForce4 MX 460).

Feature	GeForce3	GeForce4 MX 460
G3D Mark Score	5+25%	4
Architecture	Maxwell	Fermi
Process Node	28 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	384+14%	336
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.7227 TFLOPS	0.9072 TFLOPS+26%
ROPs	8	32+300%
TMUs	24	56+133%
L1 Cache	192 KB	448 KB+133%
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	0.5 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce3	GeForce4 MX 460
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 GeForce3 has 65 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce4 MX 460 carries 128 MB. GeForce4 MX 460 gives you 98.4% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GeForce3 and 64-bit on the GeForce4 MX 460. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce3) vs 0.5 MB (GeForce4 MX 460) — the GeForce3 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce3	GeForce4 MX 460
VRAM Capacity	0.063 GB	0.125 GB+98%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	64-bit	64-bit
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	0.5 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 8.1 (GeForce3) vs 7.0 (GeForce4 MX 460). Vulkan: N/A vs None. OpenGL: 1.3 vs 1.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 1.

Feature	GeForce3	GeForce4 MX 460
DirectX	8.1+16%	7.0
Vulkan	N/A	None
OpenGL	1.3	1.3
Max Displays	2+100%	1

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (GeForce3) vs No (GeForce4 MX 460). Decoder: None vs No.

Feature	GeForce3	GeForce4 MX 460
Encoder	None	No
Decoder	None	No
Codecs	MPEG-1,MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce3 draws 33W versus the GeForce4 MX 460's 160W — a 131.6% difference. The GeForce3 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce3) vs 350W (GeForce4 MX 460). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 165mm vs 165mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 85 vs 60°C.

Feature	GeForce3	GeForce4 MX 460
TDP	33W-79%	160W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	PCIe-powered
Length	165mm	165mm
Height	100mm	100mm
Slots	1	1
Temp (Load)	85	60°C-29%
Perf/Watt	0.2	0.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce3 came in at $499, while the GeForce4 MX 460 launched at $179. On MSRP, GeForce4 MX 460 was 64.1% cheaper ($320 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.0 (GeForce3) vs 0.0 (GeForce4 MX 460) — the GeForce4 MX 460 offers 0% better value. The newer card here is GeForce3 (2015 vs 2010).

Feature	GeForce3	GeForce4 MX 460
MSRP	$499	$179-64%
Performance per Dollar	0.0	0.0
Codename	GM108	GF104
Release	March 13 2015	July 12 2010
Ranking	#810	#652

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