NVIDIA GeForce GT 440 vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M Comparison

The data is unambiguous: the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M is in a different performance class entirely than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 440. Across the only shared benchmark, the GTX 860M delivers a 295.5% higher score, placing it far ahead in compute capability. The GT 440, while a capable entry-level card of its era, is outmatched by a margin that defines a generational leap rather than a simple specification bump.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The sole direct comparison available in the database is the Geekbench OpenCL test, and the result is decisive. The GTX 860M scores 10,461 points, while the GT 440 manages only 2,645 points. This represents a 295.5% advantage for the GTX 860M, meaning it performs nearly four times better in this compute-oriented workload. This is not a marginal victory; it is a complete rout.

This single data point is corroborated by the broader benchmark averages. The GTX 860M's average benchmark score across all tests is 2,967, while the GT 440's average is 2,645. While the GTX 860M's average is pulled down by its low scores in legacy DirectX 10, 11, and 12 tests (scoring 15, 23, and 13 respectively), its strong showing in modern compute tests like Geekbench Vulkan (9,648) and OpenCL (10,461) reveals its true potential. The GT 440, with only a single OpenCL benchmark result, cannot match this breadth of capability.

When looking at the GTX 860M's performance relative to its own peers, the data shows it is a solid mid-range performer. Its average score of 2,967 places it within 0.5% of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti, a highly regarded desktop card, and just 1.9% ahead of the modern NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB in this specific average metric. This suggests that while the GTX 860M is not a flagship, it holds its own against other established solutions. Conversely, the GT 440's average score of 2,645 is within 1.5% of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M and trails the Intel Arc Pro B50 by a mere 0.5%, indicating it sits firmly at the entry-level segment. The performance gap between the two cards is therefore not just a matter of a few percent; it is a chasm.

The Verdict

The verdict is clear from the benchmark data: the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M is the superior product by a massive margin.

For users seeking any form of modern gaming or compute performance, the GTX 860M is the only logical choice. Its 295.5% lead in OpenCL performance demonstrates a fundamental advantage in parallel processing, which translates directly to faster frame rates in modern games and quicker execution of GPU-accelerated tasks. Its support for Vulkan 1.2.175, as listed in its API specifications, also means it can run modern graphics APIs, whereas the GT 440 has no Vulkan support listed.

The GT 440, with its single benchmark result and significantly lower performance, is strictly a legacy part. Its only potential advantage is its launch MSRP of 79 USD, which is a historical data point and not an indication of current value. Anyone choosing the GT 440 over the GTX 860M based on performance data would be making a decision contradicted by every available metric.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs are built on fundamentally different architectures, which explains their performance disparity. The GTX 860M is based on the GK104 chip and uses the Kepler architecture, manufactured on a 28 nm process by TSMC. It packs 3,540 million transistors onto a 294 mm² die, resulting in a transistor density of 12.0M / mm².

In contrast, the GT 440 is based on the GF108 chip and uses the older Fermi architecture, manufactured on a 40 nm process. It contains only 585 million transistors on a 116 mm² die, with a transistor density of 5.0M / mm². This means the GTX 860M has over six times the transistor count and a much newer, more efficient manufacturing process.

This architectural gulf is reflected in the core specifications. The GTX 860M features 1,152 shading units, 96 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 16 render output units (ROPs). The GT 440, by comparison, has just 96 shading units, 16 TMUs, and 4 ROPs. The GTX 860M also supports newer API features, including Vulkan 1.2.175, while the GT 440's API list omits Vulkan support entirely. Both cards are listed as supporting DirectX 12 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.6, but the underlying hardware capabilities are generations apart.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU is faster in compute workloads?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M is dramatically faster. In the Geekbench OpenCL benchmark, it scores 10,461 points compared to the GT 440's 2,645, a 295.5% difference.

Q: What is the performance percentile of each GPU?

A: The GTX 860M ranks in the 19th percentile of all GPUs, while the GT 440 ranks in the 17th percentile. This shows that while both are in the lower half of the performance spectrum, the GTX 860M is still notably higher.

Q: Does the GT 440 have a higher average benchmark score than the GTX 860M?

A: No. The GTX 860M has an average benchmark score of 2,967, while the GT 440 has an average score of 2,645. The GTX 860M's average is higher.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The GTX 860M has a memory bandwidth of 80.00 GB/s using GDDR5 memory, while the GT 440 has a bandwidth of 28.80 GB/s using DDR3 memory. This is a substantial difference in data throughput.

Q: Which GPU is based on a newer architecture?

A: The GTX 860M uses the Kepler architecture, while the GT 440 uses the older Fermi architecture. The GTX 860M is also built on a 28 nm process compared to the GT 440's 40 nm process.

Q: How do their average scores compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The GTX 860M's average score of 2,967 is 0.5% higher than the GeForce GTX 750 Ti and 1.9% higher than the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB. The GT 440's average score of 2,645 is 1.5% higher than the GeForce GT 720M and 0.6% lower than the GeForce GT 1030.

Where Each One Wins

The GTX 860M wins in every measurable performance category. It is the only card with results in multiple modern benchmark suites, including Geekbench Vulkan (9,648) and Metal (4,900), in addition to its dominant OpenCL score. Its PassMark G3D score of 3,081 and GPU Compute score of 1,251 further demonstrate its versatility across different types of workloads. The GT 440 has no wins in any benchmark category where both cards have results.

The GT 440's only "win" is in the historical context of its launch. With a launch MSRP of 79 USD, it was positioned as a budget-oriented card. However, this is not a performance advantage and does not translate to any current use-case benefit. For any application requiring GPU acceleration, from gaming to content creation, the GTX 860M is the definitive choice. The GT 440 is best suited only for basic display output in a legacy system where its low power draw and single-slot form factor might be acceptable.

Specification Differences

The following table highlights the key specification differences between the two GPUs, based solely on the provided data.

| Specification | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M | NVIDIA GeForce GT 440 |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Architecture | Kepler | Fermi |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 40 nm |

| Transistors | 3,540 million | 585 million |

| Die Size | 294 mm² | 116 mm² |

| Transistor Density | 12.0M / mm² | 5.0M / mm² |

| Shading Units | 1152 | 96 |

| TMUs | 96 | 16 |

| ROPs | 16 | 4 |

| Memory Size | 2 GB | 1024 MB |

| Memory Type | GDDR5 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 80.00 GB/s | 28.80 GB/s |

| Pixel Rate | 21.96 GPixel/s | 3.240 GPixel/s |

| Texture Rate | 87.84 GTexel/s | 12.96 GTexel/s |

| FP32 Performance | 2.108 TFLOPS | 311.0 GFLOPS |

| TDP | 75 W | 65 W |

| Slot Width | IGP | Single-slot |

| Bus Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 2.0 x16 |

| Vulkan API | 1.2.175 | None |

| Suggested PSU | Not listed | 250 W |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | 79 USD |