Manufacturer: Gigabyte Price: $ 230 US Author: Steve Date: 08/10/2010

[ GeForce GTX 460 in Detail ]

Based on the Fermi third-generation Streaming Multiprocessor (SM) architecture, the GeForce GTX 460 boasts 336 CUDA cores, which is almost twice the shader power of the GT200 architecture used by the GeForce GTX 260. Interestingly this means that the GeForce GTX 460 has just 4.5% fewer cores when compared to the GTX 465. What’s more interesting is the fact that the GeForce GTX 460 has the same number of TMUs (Texture Mapping Units) as the GeForce GTX 470, with 56 in total, which is 27% more than the GeForce GTX 465. The GeForce GTX 460 (768MB) version features 24 ROPs (Raster Operations Pipelines), while the 1024MB versions will carry 32 like the GeForce GTX 465. The graphics clock speed for fixed function units is 675MHz, while the CUDA Cores operate at a more aggressive 1350MHz. This means that the fixed function units and CUDA Cores are clocked 11% higher on the GeForce GTX 460 than they are on the GTX 465 and GTX 470 graphics cards. There are two versions of the GeForce GTX 460, one teamed with 1024MB of GDDR5 memory and a smaller cheaper version with just 768MB of GDDR5 memory. Both are clocked at 900MHz (3600MHz DDR). While they both share the same operating frequency, the 768MB cards only feature a 192-bit wide memory bus, while the larger 1024MB cards get a bigger 256-bit bus. This means that while the 1024MB cards will have a peak memory bandwidth of 115.2GB/s, the smaller 768MB cards are limited to 86.4GB/s, a 25% bandwidth reduction. It is interesting to note that the larger 1024MB version of the GeForce GTX 460 will actually have 12% more bandwidth at its disposal when compared to the more expensive GeForce GTX 465. Unlike the GeForce GTX 465, the Thermal Design Power (TDP) rating of the GeForce GTX 460 is very reasonable, with the 1024MB version rated at 160 watts and the 768MB version 150 watts. This makes the 1024MB cards 20% more fuel efficient when compared to the GeForce GTX 465 and 9% more efficient when compared to the Radeon HD 5830. Other than the PCI Express slot, the GeForce GTX 460 draws in power through a pair of external PCI Express power connectors. The GTX 460 requires dual 6-pin connectors, which is the same configuration used by the Radeon HD 5830. The GeForce GTX 460 also features a single SLI bridge connector allowing it to be paired with another graphics card.

<- Previous Page Table of Contents Introduction >>> GeForce GTX 460 in Detail <<< Gigabyte GV-N460OC-1GI Test System Specs & 3Dmark Vantage Test: Aliens vs. Predator, Mass Effect 2 Test: Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, Dirt 2 Test: Battlefield Bad Company 2, Far Cry 2 Test: Just Cause 2, Crysis Warhead Test: Metro 2033, Splinter Cell Conviction Test: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, World in Conflict Overclocking Performance Power Consumption & Temperatures Conclusion Next Page ->

FootSoldier

Posted on: 08/11/2010 12:46 PM I got a pair of these in SLI and they are faster than my friends GTX 480 and they cost less. Very pleased!!!

corky

Posted on: 08/11/2010 01:02 PM That's a good looking card with a nice price tag. I was thinking of pulling the trigger on one of these and the review has made it all the more tempting, thanks :S

cisco

Posted on: 08/12/2010 01:44 AM man these things overclock well. are there any versions that allow voltage mods?

boomslang

Posted on: 08/15/2010 01:06 PM nice review. this card looks the goods.

razor9

Posted on: 08/15/2010 11:43 PM I like how they have used dual fans. The load temps are really low.

userdude

Posted on: 08/21/2010 05:23 PM Would this card overclock better ,with a superior thermal compound ?

ProX	Posted on: 08/22/2010 10:32 PM Very cool looking card for the money. @ userdude - Maybe but it ran pretty cool as it was. Chances are they got an average overclocking card. What would really improve overclocking is a voltage mod

Mr.November

Posted on: 09/08/2010 11:15 PM When I use your overclocking numbers I get a Driver error when running 3D Mark Vantage? So I'm back on 800/1600/1900 Please tell me what I'm doing wrong? Already have the latest drivers...

Lee	Posted on: 09/14/2010 09:42 AM This looks much more impressive than those new GTS 450 cards. So whats your take, the 768MB of 1024MB version?

Ryoga

Posted on: 12/17/2010 06:51 PM Hey everyone. Anyone know of problems with these cards because newegg has a lot of spammers saying these cards are horrible and only last for a few weeks then crap out? Please post.

Whippit

Posted on: 12/21/2010 05:29 AM Ryoga thats BS I have had one for months now and I game almost every day with it. Great card for the money and it still is!