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.

Overview

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.

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.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for GeForce GTX 480 across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 7800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of GeForce GTX 480 specifications and capabilities.

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Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 480 scores 4,075 in the G3D Mark benchmark (the standard measure of rasterization GPU performance), placing it in the Budget tier as a Legacy generation graphics card. It is built on the Fermi (2010−2014) architecture (codename: GF100), manufactured on a 40 nm process— smaller process nodes improve power efficiency and transistor density. It packs 480 shader units (the primary compute units for rendering pixels), 60 TMUs (texture mapping units), and 48 ROPs (render output units that handle final pixel output). Raw FP32 compute power: 1.345 TFLOPS — this measures the theoretical peak floating-point performance.

Specification	GeForce GTX 480
G3D MarkPassMark 3D graphics benchmark score	4,075
ArchitectureGPU microarchitecture generation	Fermi (2010−2014)
CodenameInternal GPU die codename	GF100
Manufacturing ProcessFabrication node — smaller = more efficient	40 nm
Shader UnitsCore compute units for rendering/compute	480
TMUsTexture Mapping Units — handle texture sampling	60
ROPsRender Output Units — final pixel/color blending	48
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum GPU frequency	700 MHz
Compute (FP32)Peak single-precision floating-point performance	1.345 TFLOPS
Texture Fill RateTextures processed per second	42.06 GTexel/s
PCIe InterfaceCPU↔GPU data link generation	PCIe 2.0 x16
Transistor Count	3,100 million
Performance RankPosition in global GPU performance ranking	#488

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 480 is equipped with 1.5 GB of GDDR5 video memory connected via a 384-bit memory bus, delivering 177.4 GB/s of bandwidth. Memory operates at 8 Gbps effective speed.

Specification	GeForce GTX 480
VRAM SizeVideo memory capacity — more = better for high-res textures	1.5 GB
VRAM TypeMemory technology generation	GDDR5
Memory BusWidth of data path — wider = more bandwidth	384-bit
Memory SpeedEffective memory data rate	8 Gbps
BandwidthMaximum data throughput between GPU and VRAM	177.4 GB/s
L1 Cache	960 kB
L2 Cache	768 kB

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Advanced Features & APIs

Graphics API support: DirectX 12 (11_0), Vulkan 1.2, OpenGL 4.6— latest API versions enable the most advanced rendering features like ray tracing and mesh shaders.

Specification	GeForce GTX 480
NVIDIA Reflex	❌ Not Supported
DLSS Frame Generation	❌ Not Supported
DLSS Super Resolution	❌ Not Supported
DirectXMicrosoft graphics API version	12 (11_0)
VulkanCross-platform graphics API	1.2
OpenGLLegacy graphics API	4.6
Compute APIGPGPU framework (CUDA/ROCm/OpenCL)	CUDA
Multi-GPUSLI/CrossFire/NVLink support	3-way SLI

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Display & Media

Display outputs: 2x DVI, 1x mini-HDMI — supports up to 2 simultaneous displays. Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP4, decoder: PureVideo HD VP4— dedicated hardware for video encoding/decoding accelerates streaming, recording, and video playback. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP.

Specification	GeForce GTX 480
DVI PortsNumber of DVI display connectors	2x
mini-HDMI PortsNumber of mini-HDMI display connectors	1x
Max DisplaysMaximum simultaneously connected monitors	2
Hardware EncoderVideo encoding engine version	PureVideo HD VP4
Hardware DecoderVideo decoding engine version	PureVideo HD VP4
CodecsSupported video compression formats	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 480 draws 250 Watt under load (TDP) — a 600W PSU minimum is recommended. Power connector: 6-pin + 8-pin. Physical size: 267mm long, 111mm tall, occupying 2 expansion slots, weighing 950g— verify your case has clearance before purchasing. Typical temperatures: 45°C at idle, 90°C under load.

Specification	GeForce GTX 480
TDPPower consumption under load	250 Watt
Recommended PSUMinimum power supply wattage	600W
Power ConnectorRequired PCIe power cable type	6-pin + 8-pin
Card LengthGPU card length — check case clearance	267mm
Card Height	111mm
Slot WidthExpansion slots occupied	2-slot
Weight	950g
Idle TemperatureTypical temperature at desktop idle	45°C
Load TemperatureTypical temperature under gaming load	90°C

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Value Analysis

At an average price of $100 (MSRP: $499), the GeForce GTX 480 delivers 41 G3D Mark points per dollar. Overall performance ranking position: #488 among all indexed GPUs.

Specification	GeForce GTX 480
MSRPManufacturer's Suggested Retail Price	$499
Avg Price (30d)Average market price over the last 30 days	$100
Performance RankPosition in global GPU performance ranking	#488
Release Date	March 26 2010
Release Year	2010