GeForce GTX 480M vs GTX 850M
Aggregate performance score
We've compared GeForce GTX 850M and GeForce GTX 480M, covering specs and all relevant benchmarks.
850M outperforms 480M by an impressive 53% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Contents
Primary details
GPU architecture, market segment, value for money and other general parameters compared.
| Place in the ranking | 624 | 737 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Power efficiency | 10.30 | 3.03 |
| Architecture | Maxwell (2014−2017) | Fermi (2010−2014) |
| GPU code name | GM107 | GF100 |
| Market segment | Laptop | Laptop |
| Release date | 12 March 2014 (11 years ago) | 25 May 2010 (15 years ago) |
Detailed specifications
General parameters such as number of shaders, GPU core base clock and boost clock speeds, manufacturing process, texturing and calculation speed. Note that power consumption of some graphics cards can well exceed their nominal TDP, especially when overclocked.
| Pipelines / CUDA cores | 640 | 352 |
| Core clock speed | Up to 936 MHz | 425 MHz |
| Number of transistors | 1,870 million | 3,100 million |
| Manufacturing process technology | 28 nm | 40 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 45 Watt | 100 Watt |
| Texture fill rate | 36.08 | 18.70 |
| Floating-point processing power | 1.155 TFLOPS | 0.5984 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 16 | 32 |
| TMUs | 40 | 44 |
| L1 Cache | 320 KB | 704 KB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 512 KB |
Form factor & compatibility
Information on compatibility with other computer components. Useful when choosing a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. For desktop graphics cards it's interface and bus (motherboard compatibility), additional power connectors (power supply compatibility).
| Laptop size | medium sized | large |
| Bus support | PCI Express 2.0, PCI Express 3.0 | PCI-E 2.0 |
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | MXM-B (3.0) |
| Supplementary power connectors | no data | None |
| SLI options | + | + |
VRAM capacity and type
Parameters of VRAM installed: its type, size, bus, clock and resulting bandwidth. Integrated GPUs have no dedicated video RAM and use a shared part of system RAM.
| Memory type | DDR3 | GDDR5 |
| Maximum RAM amount | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Standard memory configuration | DDR3 or GDDR5 | no data |
| Memory bus width | 128 Bit | 256 Bit |
| Memory clock speed | Up to 2500 MHz | 1200 MHz |
| Memory bandwidth | 80.0 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |
| Shared memory | - | - |
Connectivity and outputs
This section shows the types and number of video connectors on each GPU. The data applies specifically to desktop reference models (for example, NVIDIA’s Founders Edition). OEM partners often modify both the number and types of ports. On notebook GPUs, video‐output options are determined by the laptop’s design rather than the graphics chip itself.
| Display Connectors | No outputs | No outputs |
| eDP 1.2 signal support | Up to 3840x2160 | no data |
| LVDS signal support | Up to 1920x1200 | no data |
| VGA аnalog display support | Up to 2048x1536 | no data |
| DisplayPort Multimode (DP++) support | Up to 3840x2160 | no data |
| HDMI | + | - |
| HDCP content protection | + | - |
| Maximum VGA resolution | no data | 2048x1536 |
| 7.1 channel HD audio on HDMI | + | - |
| TrueHD and DTS-HD audio bitstreaming | + | - |
Supported technologies
Supported technological solutions. This information will prove useful if you need some particular technology for your purposes.
| H.264, VC1, MPEG2 1080p video decoder | + | - |
| Optimus | + | - |
| Ansel | + | no data |
API and SDK support
List of supported 3D and general-purpose computing APIs, including their specific versions.
| DirectX | 12 (11_0) | 12 API |
| Shader Model | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| OpenCL | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| Vulkan | 1.1.126 | N/A |
| CUDA | + | + |
Synthetic benchmarks
Non-gaming benchmark results comparison. The combined score is measured on a 0-100 point scale.
Combined synthetic benchmark score
This is our combined benchmark score.
Passmark
This is the most ubiquitous GPU benchmark. It gives the graphics card a thorough evaluation under various types of load, providing four separate benchmarks for Direct3D versions 9, 10, 11 and 12 (the last being done in 4K resolution if possible), and few more tests engaging DirectCompute capabilities.
3DMark 11 Performance GPU
3DMark 11 is an obsolete DirectX 11 benchmark by Futuremark. It used four tests based on two scenes, one being few submarines exploring the submerged wreck of a sunken ship, the other is an abandoned temple deep in the jungle. All the tests are heavy with volumetric lighting and tessellation, and despite being done in 1280x720 resolution, are relatively taxing. Discontinued in January 2020, 3DMark 11 is now superseded by Time Spy.
3DMark Vantage Performance
3DMark Vantage is an outdated DirectX 10 benchmark using 1280x1024 screen resolution. It taxes the graphics card with two scenes, one depicting a girl escaping some militarized base located within a sea cave, the other displaying a space fleet attack on a defenseless planet. It was discontinued in April 2017, and Time Spy benchmark is now recommended to be used instead.
Gaming performance
Let's see how good the compared graphics cards are for gaming. Particular gaming benchmark results are measured in FPS.
Average FPS across all PC games
Here are the average frames per second in a large set of popular games across different resolutions:
| 900p | 84
+155%
| 33
−155%
|
| Full HD | 32
−28.1%
| 41
+28.1%
|
| 4K | 10
+66.7%
| 6−7
−66.7%
|
FPS performance in popular games
Full HD
Low
| Counter-Strike 2 | 30−33
+87.5%
|
16−18
−87.5%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 12−14
+50%
|
8−9
−50%
|
| Hogwarts Legacy | 12−14
+33.3%
|
9−10
−33.3%
|
Full HD
Medium
| Battlefield 5 | 24−27
+62.5%
|
16−18
−62.5%
|
| Counter-Strike 2 | 30−33
+87.5%
|
16−18
−87.5%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 12−14
+50%
|
8−9
−50%
|
| Far Cry 5 | 18−20
+58.3%
|
12−14
−58.3%
|
| Fortnite | 35−40
+60.9%
|
21−24
−60.9%
|
| Forza Horizon 4 | 27−30
+47.4%
|
18−20
−47.4%
|
| Forza Horizon 5 | 18−20
+63.6%
|
10−12
−63.6%
|
| Hogwarts Legacy | 12−14
+33.3%
|
9−10
−33.3%
|
| PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS | 21−24
+35.3%
|
16−18
−35.3%
|
| Valorant | 65−70
+27.8%
|
50−55
−27.8%
|
Full HD
High
| Battlefield 5 | 24−27
+62.5%
|
16−18
−62.5%
|
| Counter-Strike 2 | 30−33
+87.5%
|
16−18
−87.5%
|
| Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | 99
+39.4%
|
70−75
−39.4%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 12−14
+50%
|
8−9
−50%
|
| Dota 2 | 50−55
+38.9%
|
35−40
−38.9%
|
| Far Cry 5 | 18−20
+58.3%
|
12−14
−58.3%
|
| Fortnite | 35−40
+60.9%
|
21−24
−60.9%
|
| Forza Horizon 4 | 27−30
+47.4%
|
18−20
−47.4%
|
| Forza Horizon 5 | 18−20
+63.6%
|
10−12
−63.6%
|
| Grand Theft Auto V | 20
+53.8%
|
12−14
−53.8%
|
| Hogwarts Legacy | 12−14
+33.3%
|
9−10
−33.3%
|
| Metro Exodus | 12−14
+71.4%
|
7−8
−71.4%
|
| PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS | 21−24
+35.3%
|
16−18
−35.3%
|
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 21
+75%
|
12−14
−75%
|
| Valorant | 65−70
+27.8%
|
50−55
−27.8%
|
Full HD
Ultra
| Battlefield 5 | 24−27
+62.5%
|
16−18
−62.5%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 12−14
+50%
|
8−9
−50%
|
| Dota 2 | 50−55
+38.9%
|
35−40
−38.9%
|
| Far Cry 5 | 18−20
+58.3%
|
12−14
−58.3%
|
| Forza Horizon 4 | 27−30
+47.4%
|
18−20
−47.4%
|
| Hogwarts Legacy | 12−14
+33.3%
|
9−10
−33.3%
|
| PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS | 21−24
+35.3%
|
16−18
−35.3%
|
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 11
−9.1%
|
12−14
+9.1%
|
| Valorant | 65−70
+27.8%
|
50−55
−27.8%
|
Full HD
Epic
| Fortnite | 35−40
+60.9%
|
21−24
−60.9%
|
1440p
High
| Counter-Strike 2 | 10−12
+37.5%
|
8−9
−37.5%
|
| Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | 45−50
+56.7%
|
30−33
−56.7%
|
| Grand Theft Auto V | 7−8
+133%
|
3−4
−133%
|
| Metro Exodus | 6−7
+200%
|
2−3
−200%
|
| PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS | 35−40
+22.6%
|
30−35
−22.6%
|
| Valorant | 65−70
+61.9%
|
40−45
−61.9%
|
1440p
Ultra
| Battlefield 5 | 10−11
+900%
|
1−2
−900%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 5−6
+66.7%
|
3−4
−66.7%
|
| Far Cry 5 | 12−14
+71.4%
|
7−8
−71.4%
|
| Forza Horizon 4 | 14−16
+40%
|
10−11
−40%
|
| Hogwarts Legacy | 6−7
+50%
|
4−5
−50%
|
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 8−9
+60%
|
5−6
−60%
|
1440p
Epic
| Fortnite | 12−14
+50%
|
8−9
−50%
|
4K
High
| Grand Theft Auto V | 18−20
+12.5%
|
16−18
−12.5%
|
| Hogwarts Legacy | 1−2 | 0−1 |
| Metro Exodus | 1−2 | 0−1 |
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 3−4
+200%
|
1−2
−200%
|
| Valorant | 30−35
+55%
|
20−22
−55%
|
4K
Ultra
| Battlefield 5 | 5−6
+66.7%
|
3−4
−66.7%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 2−3
+100%
|
1−2
−100%
|
| Dota 2 | 21−24
+69.2%
|
12−14
−69.2%
|
| Far Cry 5 | 5−6
+66.7%
|
3−4
−66.7%
|
| Forza Horizon 4 | 9−10
+80%
|
5−6
−80%
|
| Hogwarts Legacy | 1−2 | 0−1 |
| PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS | 6−7
+50%
|
4−5
−50%
|
4K
Epic
| Fortnite | 6−7
+50%
|
4−5
−50%
|
This is how GTX 850M and GTX 480M compete in popular games:
- GTX 850M is 155% faster in 900p
- GTX 480M is 28% faster in 1080p
- GTX 850M is 67% faster in 4K
Here's the range of performance differences observed across popular games:
- in Battlefield 5, with 1440p resolution and the Ultra Preset, the GTX 850M is 900% faster.
- in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, with 1080p resolution and the Ultra Preset, the GTX 480M is 9% faster.
All in all, in popular games:
- GTX 850M performs better in 58 tests (98%)
- GTX 480M performs better in 1 test (2%)
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 5.73 | 3.74 |
| Recency | 12 March 2014 | 25 May 2010 |
| Chip lithography | 28 nm | 40 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 45 Watt | 100 Watt |
GTX 850M has a 53.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 3 years, a 42.9% more advanced lithography process, and 122.2% lower power consumption.
The GeForce GTX 850M is our recommended choice as it beats the GeForce GTX 480M in performance tests.
Other comparisons
We selected several comparisons of graphics cards with performance close to those reviewed, providing you with more options to consider.
