GeForce GTX 480 vs GeForce GTX 970M

When comparing GeForce GTX 480 and GeForce GTX 970M, 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 970M is the price. Does the additional cost justify the performance hit? Our comparison should help you make the right decision.

GeForce GTX 970M is a Laptop Graphics Card

Note: GeForce GTX 970M 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 970M here:

Main Specs

  GeForce GTX 480 GeForce GTX 970M
Power consumption (TDP) 250 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 is connected by PCIe 2.0 x16, and GeForce GTX 970M uses MXM-B (3.0) interface.
  • GeForce GTX 480 has 1530 GB more memory, than GeForce GTX 970M.
  • GeForce GTX 480 is used in Desktops, and GeForce GTX 970M - in Laptops.
  • GeForce GTX 480 is build with Fermi architecture, and GeForce GTX 970M - with Maxwell.
  • Core clock speed of GeForce GTX 970M is 224 MHz higher, than GeForce GTX 480.
  • GeForce GTX 480 is manufactured by 40 nm process technology, and GeForce GTX 970M - by 28 nm process technology.
  • Memory clock speed of GeForce GTX 970M is 652 MHz higher, than GeForce GTX 480.

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 970M in Assassin's Creed Odyssey is 68% more, than GeForce GTX 480.

Full Specs

  GeForce GTX 480 GeForce GTX 970M
Architecture Fermi Maxwell
Code name GF100 GM204
Type Desktop Laptop
Release date 7 December 2010 7 October 2014
Pipelines 480 1280
Core clock speed 700 MHz 924 MHz
Boost Clock 1038 MHz
Transistor count 3,100 million 5,200 million
Manufacturing process technology 40 nm 28 nm
Texture fill rate 42 billion/sec 83.04
Floating-point performance 1,345.0 gflops 2,657 gflops
Length 10.5" (267 mm) (26.7 cm)
Memory bus width 384 Bit 192 Bit
Memory clock speed 1848 MHz (3696 data rate) 2500 MHz
Memory bandwidth 177.4 GB/s 120 GB/s
Shared memory - -
G-SYNC support +
DirectX 12 (11_0) 12 (12_1)
Shader Model 5.1 6.4
OpenGL 4.2 4.5
OpenCL 1.1 1.1
Vulkan N/A 1.1.126
CUDA + +
CUDA cores 480 1280
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 314 Mh/s
Laptop size large
DisplayPort Multimode (DP++) support +
H.264, VC1, MPEG2 1080p video decoder +
Optimus +
GameStream +
GeForce ShadowPlay +
GPU Boost 2.0
GameWorks +
BatteryBoost +
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