GTX 480, 470, 460, 450 Comparison: Which Is Better in 2026?

GTX 480, 470, 460, 450 cards belong to NVIDIA's first Fermi GeForce generation. The GTX 480 is the fastest of these four, but the GTX 460 is usually the more sensible legacy card because it requires considerably less power. In 2026, however, none should be considered a good choice for modern AAA gaming because Fermi driver development ended years ago.

GTX 480, 470, 460, 450: Quick Verdict for 2026

The GTX 480 wins on raw hardware performance, while the GTX 460 offers the most attractive balance of performance and power consumption. The GTX 470 sits between them, and the GTS 450 is substantially weaker. For a computer intended for current games, however, buying a newer GPU generation is preferable to any GeForce 400-series card.

What Is the NVIDIA GeForce 400 Series?

The GeForce 400 series was NVIDIA's first consumer GPU family based on the Fermi architecture. NVIDIA launched the GTX 480 and GTX 470 in 2010 as high-end DirectX 11 graphics cards before expanding the family with products including the GTX 460 and GTS 450.

NVIDIA's original GTX 400 architecture documentation describes Fermi as a DirectX 11 generation with GDDR5 memory and a redesigned geometry pipeline. The official NVIDIA GTX 400 GPU datasheet also documents Shader Model 5.0, CUDA and PCI Express 2.0 support.

GTX 480 vs GTX 470 vs GTX 460 vs GTS 450 Specifications

The most important difference in the GTX 480, 470, 460, 450 comparison is how aggressively NVIDIA reduced processing resources, memory width and power requirements as it moved down the product range.

The GTX 460 also appeared in a 768MB configuration with a narrower 192-bit interface, so buyers comparing second-hand cards should identify the exact GTX 460 version rather than assuming every GTX 460 performs identically.

Which GeForce 400-Series GPU Is Fastest?

The GTX 480 is the fastest GPU in this comparison. Its 480 CUDA cores, 384-bit memory interface and 1.5GB frame buffer give it more processing and memory resources than the GTX 470, GTX 460 or GTS 450.

The general hierarchy is GTX 480 > GTX 470 > GTX 460 > GTS 450. Exact results depend on the game, settings, CPU, drivers and individual factory-overclocked cards, so that hierarchy should not be interpreted as a fixed percentage difference in every workload.

Is the GTX 460 Better Than the GTX 470?

The GTX 470 is faster on raw specifications, but the GTX 460 can be the more practical old-PC card. The GTX 470 provides 448 CUDA cores and a 320-bit memory interface, while the standard GTX 460 1GB has 336 CUDA cores and a 256-bit interface.

The GTX 460's advantage is efficiency relative to the larger GF100 cards. Its reference TDP was approximately 160W compared with about 215W for the GTX 470. That can matter in an older PC with a modest power supply, limited airflow or aging components.

Can GTX 480, 470, 460, 450 Cards Still Game in 2026?

GTX 480, 470, 460, 450 GPUs remain useful mainly for older PC games, retro systems and experimentation. Their biggest obstacles in 2026 are not simply processing speed: driver age, limited VRAM, old graphics feature support and modern game requirements can prevent an otherwise powerful GTX 480 from being useful in new titles.

All four were designed around DirectX 11-era technology. The GTX 480's 1.5GB of VRAM is also extremely limited compared with contemporary gaming GPUs, while the GTX 460 and GTS 450 commonly have only 1GB.

For someone assembling a system specifically for current gaming, a newer graphics architecture is the better direction. Victory Computer readers planning a complete system upgrade can compare current desktop PCs in Pakistan and pair a modern gaming machine with suitable gaming monitors in Pakistan.

Does the GTX 400 Series Still Receive NVIDIA Drivers?

No regular Game Ready development exists for these Fermi GPUs in 2026. NVIDIA stated that Game Ready upgrades covering new features, performance improvements and bug fixes moved to newer architectures in April 2018, while critical Fermi security updates continued only through January 2019.

NVIDIA's archived GeForce 391.35 Windows 10 driver page lists the GTX 480, GTX 470, GTX 460 and GTS 450 among supported GeForce 400-series products. That legacy driver situation is one of the strongest reasons not to purchase these cards for a new everyday gaming PC in 2026.

How Much Does Power Consumption Matter?

Power consumption matters considerably with these cards because the fastest models came from a relatively inefficient early Fermi implementation. The GTX 480 carried an approximately 250W TDP, while the GTX 470 was around 215W.

The GTX 460 1GB dropped to approximately 160W, and the GTS 450 to around 106W. A cheap GTX 480 can therefore be a poor bargain if it requires a better power supply, produces substantially more heat or places extra stress on an old cooling system.

Pros & Cons of the GeForce 400 Series in 2026

Pros

• Useful for historically accurate or retro Fermi-era PC builds.
• GTX 480 remains the strongest of these four GPUs.
• GTX 460 offers a better power/performance balance than the large GF100 cards.
• DirectX 11 support makes many older Windows games viable.

Cons

• Fermi no longer receives modern NVIDIA Game Ready driver development.
• 1GB to 1.5GB of typical VRAM is highly restrictive for contemporary games.
• GTX 480 and GTX 470 consume substantial power for their present-day performance.
• Used cards are now old enough that cooler, fan and component condition can be important.

Why We Recommend This Only for Specific Users

The GeForce 400 series makes the most sense for collectors, retro-PC enthusiasts and users keeping an existing compatible computer operational. Buyers who want a dependable machine for new games, current applications or long-term daily use should move to a substantially newer platform.

Which GTX 400-Series Card Should You Choose?

Choose the GTX 480 only if maximum performance within this specific generation is the goal. Choose the GTX 460 1GB if you specifically want a GeForce 400-series card with a more reasonable balance between performance, heat and power consumption.

• Choose GTX 480: for the fastest period-correct GeForce 400 experience.
• Choose GTX 470: if it is significantly easier or cheaper to obtain than a GTX 480.
• Choose GTX 460 1GB: for the strongest overall balance in a retro build.
• Choose GTS 450: only for lighter legacy workloads where performance is secondary.
• Choose a newer GPU: for current games and a normal everyday PC.

Should You Buy a Used GTX 400-Series GPU in Pakistan?

In Pakistan, the condition and asking price of a used GTX 480, 470, 460, 450 card matter more than its original launch position. No fixed 2026 PKR recommendation can be given without checking the individual card and current market listing.

Before purchasing one, confirm the exact model, VRAM configuration, fan operation, display outputs, power connectors and whether the seller can demonstrate stable operation. GTX 460 buyers should pay particular attention to whether the card is the 1GB/256-bit model, 768MB version or another variant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GTX 480 still good in 2026?

The GTX 480 is useful mainly for retro gaming and legacy systems in 2026. It is the fastest card in this four-GPU comparison, but its old Fermi architecture, 1.5GB VRAM and discontinued modern driver support make it unsuitable as a normal current gaming recommendation.

Is GTX 470 better than GTX 460?

The GTX 470 is generally the faster card, but the GTX 460 1GB has a substantially lower reference TDP and can be easier to accommodate in an older PC. The better choice depends on whether maximum legacy performance or efficiency matters more.

Is GTX 460 still good for gaming?

The GTX 460 can still handle many games from its own era and other lightweight legacy titles. It should not be purchased with the expectation of reliable compatibility or good performance in modern AAA releases.

Does the GTX 400 series support DirectX 11?

Yes. NVIDIA's original GeForce 400-series documentation specifies Microsoft DirectX 11 and Shader Model 5.0 support.

Does NVIDIA still update GTX 400-series drivers?

No regular modern Game Ready development remains for Fermi. NVIDIA ended normal Game Ready upgrades for Fermi in April 2018 and said critical security updates would continue through January 2019.

Which is best: GTX 480, 470, 460, 450?

The GTX 480 is best for raw performance, while the GTX 460 1GB is the more balanced choice for a retro PC because of its lower power consumption. For a modern computer in 2026, none of the four is the preferred option.

Final Verdict: GTX 480, 470, 460, 450 in 2026

The final GTX 480, 470, 460, 450 ranking for raw performance is straightforward: GTX 480 first, GTX 470 second, GTX 460 third and GTS 450 fourth. The practical 2026 recommendation is less simple because the GTX 480's extra performance comes with high power consumption and the entire Fermi family now relies on legacy driver support.

For a period-correct retro build, the GTX 480 is the performance winner and the GTX 460 1GB is the smarter balanced choice. For current gaming, skip the entire generation and consider newer hardware instead. You can explore current systems through Victory Computer, browse the Victory Computer shop, or read more technology guides before choosing an upgrade.

For product guidance in Pakistan, Victory Computer can also be contacted on WhatsApp at 0300 9466881.