GeForce GTX 480 vs GeForce GTX 960M

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

GeForce GTX 960M is a Laptop Graphics Card

Note: GeForce GTX 960M 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 960M here:

Main Specs

  GeForce GTX 480 GeForce GTX 960M
Power consumption (TDP) 250 Watt 75 Watt
Interface PCIe 2.0 x16 MXM-B (3.0)
Supplementary power connectors 6-pin & 8-pin
Memory type GDDR5 GDDR5
Maximum RAM amount 1536 MB 4 GB
Display Connectors 2x DVI, 1x mini-HDMI No outputs
  Check Price Check Price
  • GeForce GTX 480 has 233% more power consumption, than GeForce GTX 960M.
  • GeForce GTX 480 is connected by PCIe 2.0 x16, and GeForce GTX 960M uses MXM-B (3.0) interface.
  • GeForce GTX 480 has 1532 GB more memory, than GeForce GTX 960M.
  • GeForce GTX 480 is used in Desktops, and GeForce GTX 960M - in Laptops.
  • GeForce GTX 480 is build with Fermi architecture, and GeForce GTX 960M - with Maxwell.
  • Core clock speed of GeForce GTX 960M is 396 MHz higher, than GeForce GTX 480.
  • GeForce GTX 480 is manufactured by 40 nm process technology, and GeForce GTX 960M - by 28 nm process technology.
  • Memory clock speed of GeForce GTX 960M is 652 MHz higher, than GeForce GTX 480.

Game benchmarks

high / 1080p 21−24 18−20
ultra / 1080p 12−14 10−11
QHD / 1440p 6−7 4−5
4K / 2160p 5−6 4−5
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 18% more, than GeForce GTX 960M.

Full Specs

  GeForce GTX 480 GeForce GTX 960M
Architecture Fermi Maxwell
Code name GF100 N16P-GX
Type Desktop Laptop
Release date 7 December 2010 12 March 2015
Pipelines 480 640
Core clock speed 700 MHz 1096 MHz
Boost Clock 1202 MHz
Transistor count 3,100 million 1,870 million
Manufacturing process technology 40 nm 28 nm
Texture fill rate 42 billion/sec 47.04
Floating-point performance 1,345.0 gflops 1,505 gflops
Length 10.5" (267 mm) (26.7 cm)
Memory bus width 384 Bit 128 Bit
Memory clock speed 1848 MHz (3696 data rate) 2500 MHz
Memory bandwidth 177.4 GB/s 80 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 1.2
Vulkan N/A 1.1.126
CUDA + +
CUDA cores 480 640
Bus support 16x PCI-E 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 175 Mh/s
Laptop size medium sized
DisplayPort Multimode (DP++) support +
H.264, VC1, MPEG2 1080p video decoder +
Optimus +
GameStream +
GeForce ShadowPlay +
GPU Boost 2.0
GameWorks +
BatteryBoost +
  Check Price Check Price