CPU
GPU
GeForce3
Popular choices:
GeForce4 MX 460
Popular choices:
Performance Spectrum - GPU
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. The GeForce3 is positioned at rank 755 and the GeForce4 MX 460 is on rank 384, so the GeForce4 MX 460 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce3
Performance Per Dollar GeForce4 MX 460
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce3 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 25% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce4 MX 460 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce3 | GeForce4 MX 460 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+25%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-25%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi (2010−2014)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+98.4%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce4 MX 460 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce4 MX 460 holds the technical lead. Priced at $15 (vs $49), it costs 69% less, resulting in a 161.3% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce3 | GeForce4 MX 460 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+161.3%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($49) | ✅More affordable ($15) |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce3 and GeForce4 MX 460
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 | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce3 comes with 65 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce4 MX 460 has 128 MB. The GeForce4 MX 460 offers 98.4% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 64-bit. 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
The GeForce3 launched at $499 MSRP and currently averages $49, while the GeForce4 MX 460 launched at $179 and now averages $15. The GeForce4 MX 460 costs 69.4% less ($34 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 0.1 (GeForce3) vs 0.3 (GeForce4 MX 460) — the GeForce4 MX 460 offers 200% better value. The GeForce3 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2010).
| Feature | GeForce3 | GeForce4 MX 460 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $499 | $179-64% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $49 | $15-69% |
| Performance per Dollar | 0.1 | 0.3+200% |
| Codename | GM108 | GF104 |
| Release | March 13 2015 | July 12 2010 |
| Ranking | #810 | #652 |
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