GeForce GTX 480 vs GeForce GTX 870M

When comparing GeForce GTX 480 and GeForce GTX 870M, we look primarily at benchmarks and game tests. But it is not only about the numbers. Often you can find third-party models with higher clock speeds, better cooling, or a customizable RGB lighting. Not all of them will have all the features you need. Another thing to consider is the port selection. Most graphics cards have at least one DisplayPort and HDMI interface, but some monitors require DVI. Before you buy, check the TDP of the graphics card - this characteristic will help you estimate the consumption of the graphics card. You may even have to upgrade your PSU to meet its requirements. An important factor when choosing between GeForce GTX 480 and GeForce GTX 870M is the price. Does the additional cost justify the performance hit? Our comparison should help you make the right decision.

GeForce GTX 870M is a Laptop Graphics Card

Note: GeForce GTX 870M is only used in laptop graphics. It has lower GPU clock speed compared to the desktop variant, which results in lower power consumption, but also 10-30% lower gaming performance. Check available laptop models with GeForce GTX 870M here:

Main Specs

  GeForce GTX 480 GeForce GTX 870M
Power consumption (TDP) 250 Watt 100 Watt
Interface PCIe 2.0 x16 MXM-B (3.0)
Supplementary power connectors 6-pin & 8-pin None
Memory type GDDR5 GDDR5
Maximum RAM amount 1536 MB 6 GB
Display Connectors 2x DVI, 1x mini-HDMI No outputs
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  • GeForce GTX 480 has 150% more power consumption, than GeForce GTX 870M.
  • GeForce GTX 480 is connected by PCIe 2.0 x16, and GeForce GTX 870M uses MXM-B (3.0) interface.
  • GeForce GTX 480 has 1530 GB more memory, than GeForce GTX 870M.
  • GeForce GTX 480 is used in Desktops, and GeForce GTX 870M - in Laptops.
  • GeForce GTX 480 is build with Fermi architecture, and GeForce GTX 870M - with Kepler.
  • Core clock speed of GeForce GTX 870M is 241 MHz higher, than GeForce GTX 480.
  • GeForce GTX 480 is manufactured by 40 nm process technology, and GeForce GTX 870M - by 28 nm process technology.

Game benchmarks

high / 1080p 21−24 16−18
ultra / 1080p 12−14 10−11
QHD / 1440p 6−7 4−5
4K / 2160p 5−6
low / 720p 40−45 35−40
medium / 1080p 24−27 21−24
The average gaming FPS of GeForce GTX 480 in Assassin's Creed Odyssey is 22% more, than GeForce GTX 870M.

Full Specs

  GeForce GTX 480 GeForce GTX 870M
Architecture Fermi Kepler
Code name GF100 N15P-GT
Type Desktop Laptop
Release date 7 December 2010 12 March 2014
Pipelines 480 1344
Core clock speed 700 MHz 941 MHz
Boost Clock 967 MHz
Transistor count 3,100 million 3,540 million
Manufacturing process technology 40 nm 28 nm
Texture fill rate 42 billion/sec 108.3
Floating-point performance 1,345.0 gflops 2,599 gflops
Length 10.5" (267 mm) (26.7 cm)
Memory bus width 384 Bit 192 Bit
Memory clock speed 1848 MHz (3696 data rate)
Memory bandwidth 177.4 GB/s 120.0 GB/s
Shared memory - -
DirectX 12 (11_0) 12 (11_0)
Shader Model 5.1 5.1
OpenGL 4.2 4.5
OpenCL 1.1 1.1
Vulkan N/A 1.1.126
CUDA + +
CUDA cores 480 1344
Bus support 16x PCI-E 2.0 PCI Express 2.0, PCI Express 3.0
Height 4.376" (111 mm) (11.1 cm)
SLI options + +
Multi monitor support +
HDMI + +
HDCP +
Maximum VGA resolution 2048x1536
Audio input for HDMI Internal
Bitcoin / BTC (SHA256) 117 Mh/s 82 Mh/s
Laptop size large
Standard memory configuration GDDR5
eDP 1.2 signal support Up to 3840x2160
LVDS signal support Up to 1920x1200
DisplayPort Multimode (DP++) support Up to 3840x2160
HDCP content protection +
7.1 channel HD audio on HDMI +
TrueHD and DTS-HD audio bitstreaming +
H.264, VC1, MPEG2 1080p video decoder +
Optimus +
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