GeForce GTX 480 vs GeForce GTX 960

When comparing GeForce GTX 480 and GeForce GTX 960, 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 960 is the price. Does the additional cost justify the performance hit? Our comparison should help you make the right decision.

Main Specs

  GeForce GTX 480 GeForce GTX 960
Power consumption (TDP) 250 Watt 120 Watt
Interface PCIe 2.0 x16 PCIe 3.0 x16
Supplementary power connectors 6-pin & 8-pin 1x 6-pins
Memory type GDDR5 GDDR5
Maximum RAM amount 1536 MB 4 GB
Display Connectors 2x DVI, 1x mini-HDMI 1x DVI, 1x HDMI, 3x DisplayPort
Recommended system power (PSU) 400 Watt
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  • GeForce GTX 480 has 108% more power consumption, than GeForce GTX 960.
  • GeForce GTX 480 is connected by PCIe 2.0 x16, and GeForce GTX 960 uses PCIe 3.0 x16 interface.
  • GeForce GTX 480 has 1532 GB more memory, than GeForce GTX 960.
  • Both cards are used in Desktops.
  • GeForce GTX 480 is build with Fermi architecture, and GeForce GTX 960 - with Maxwell.
  • Core clock speed of GeForce GTX 960 is 427 MHz higher, than GeForce GTX 480.
  • GeForce GTX 480 is manufactured by 40 nm process technology, and GeForce GTX 960 - by 28 nm process technology.
  • GeForce GTX 480 is 1 mm longer, than GeForce GTX 960.
  • Memory clock speed of GeForce GTX 480 is 1841 MHz higher, than GeForce GTX 960.

Game benchmarks

high / 1080p 21−24 35−40
ultra / 1080p 12−14 21−24
QHD / 1440p 6−7 16−18
4K / 2160p 5−6 10−11
low / 720p 40−45 60−65
medium / 1080p 24−27 40−45
The average gaming FPS of GeForce GTX 960 in Assassin's Creed Odyssey is 68% more, than GeForce GTX 480.

Full Specs

  GeForce GTX 480 GeForce GTX 960
Architecture Fermi Maxwell
Code name GF100 GM206
Type Desktop Desktop
Release date 7 December 2010 22 January 2015
Pipelines 480 1024
Core clock speed 700 MHz 1127 MHz
Boost Clock 1178 MHz
Transistor count 3,100 million 2,940 million
Manufacturing process technology 40 nm 28 nm
Texture fill rate 42 billion/sec 72 billion/sec
Floating-point performance 1,345.0 gflops 2,413 gflops
Length 10.5" (267 mm) (26.7 cm) 9.5" (24.1 cm)
Memory bus width 384 Bit 128 Bit
Memory clock speed 1848 MHz (3696 data rate) 7.0 GB/s
Memory bandwidth 177.4 GB/s 112 GB/s
Shared memory - -
G-SYNC support +
DirectX 12 (11_0) 12 (12_1)
Shader Model 5.1 6.4
OpenGL 4.2 4.4
OpenCL 1.1 1.2
Vulkan N/A 1.1.126
CUDA + +
Monero / XMR (CryptoNight) 0.27 kh/s
CUDA cores 480 1024
Bus support 16x PCI-E 2.0 PCI Express 3.0
Height 4.376" (111 mm) (11.1 cm) 4.376" (11.1 cm)
SLI options + +
Multi monitor support + 4 displays
HDMI +
HDCP + +
Maximum VGA resolution 2048x1536 2048x1536
Audio input for HDMI Internal Internal
Bitcoin / BTC (SHA256) 117 Mh/s 318 Mh/s
Decred / DCR (Decred) 0.92 Gh/s
Ethereum / ETH (DaggerHashimoto) 8 Mh/s
Zcash / ZEC (Equihash) 141.47 Sol/s
GameStream +
GeForce ShadowPlay +
GPU Boost 2.0
GameWorks +
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