NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE Specifications
GeForce GTX 460 SE GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE GPU core specifications define its raw processing power for graphics and compute workloads. Shading units (also called CUDA cores, stream processors, or execution units depending on manufacturer) handle the parallel calculations required for rendering. TMUs (Texture Mapping Units) process texture data, while ROPs (Render Output Units) handle final pixel output. Higher shader counts generally translate to better GPU benchmark performance, especially in demanding games and 3D applications.
GTX 460 SE Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce GTX 460 SE's performance in GPU benchmarks and real-world gaming. The base clock represents the minimum guaranteed frequency, while the boost clock indicates peak performance under optimal thermal conditions. Memory clock speed affects texture loading and frame buffer operations. The GeForce GTX 460 SE by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 460 SE Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce GTX 460 SE's memory capacity determines how well it handles high-resolution textures and multiple displays. Memory bandwidth, measured in GB/s, affects how quickly data moves between the GPU and VRAM. Higher bandwidth improves performance in memory-intensive scenarios like 4K gaming. The memory bus width and type (GDDR6, GDDR6X, HBM) significantly influence overall GPU benchmark scores.
GeForce GTX 460 SE by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GTX 460 SE, reducing the need to fetch data from slower VRAM. L1 and L2 caches store frequently accessed data close to the compute units. AMD's Infinity Cache (L3) dramatically increases effective bandwidth, improving GPU benchmark performance without requiring wider memory buses. Larger cache sizes help maintain high frame rates in memory-bound scenarios and reduce power consumption by minimizing VRAM accesses.
GTX 460 SE Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE against other graphics cards. FP32 (single-precision) performance, measured in TFLOPS, indicates compute capability for gaming and general GPU workloads. FP64 (double-precision) matters for scientific computing. Pixel and texture fill rates determine how quickly the GPU can render complex scenes. While real-world GPU benchmark results depend on many factors, these specifications help predict relative performance levels.
Fermi Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE is built on NVIDIA's Fermi architecture, which defines how the GPU processes graphics and compute workloads. The manufacturing process node affects power efficiency, thermal characteristics, and maximum clock speeds. Smaller process nodes pack more transistors into the same die area, enabling higher performance per watt. Understanding the architecture helps predict how the GTX 460 SE will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 460 SE Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE determine PSU requirements and thermal management needs. TDP (Thermal Design Power) indicates the heat output under typical loads, guiding cooler selection. Power connector requirements ensure adequate power delivery for stable operation during demanding GPU benchmarks. The suggested PSU wattage accounts for the entire system, not just the graphics card. Efficient power delivery enables the GeForce GTX 460 SE to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce GTX 460 SE by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE are critical for case compatibility. Card length, height, and slot width determine whether it fits in your chassis. The PCIe interface version affects bandwidth for communication with the CPU. Display outputs define monitor connectivity options, with modern cards supporting multiple high-resolution displays simultaneously. Verify these specifications against your case and motherboard before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
NVIDIA API Support
Graphics and compute APIs
API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE. DirectX 12 Ultimate enables advanced features like ray tracing and variable rate shading. Vulkan provides cross-platform graphics capabilities with low-level hardware access. OpenGL remains important for professional applications and older games. CUDA (NVIDIA) and OpenCL enable GPU compute for video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific applications. Higher API versions unlock newer graphical features in GPU benchmarks and games.
GeForce GTX 460 SE Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE is manufactured by NVIDIA as part of their graphics card lineup. Release date and launch pricing provide context for comparing GPU benchmark results with competing products from the same era. Understanding the product lifecycle helps evaluate whether the GeForce GTX 460 SE by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GeForce GTX 460 SE Benchmark Scores
geekbench_openclSource
Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations.
About NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE, built on the Fermi architecture and the GF104 chip, occupies a specific niche in the GeForce 400 generation. With a 40 nm process from TSMC and a transistor count of 1,950 million on a 332 mm² die, this card is a product of its era. Its benchmark data, while limited, provides a clear picture of its standing against a set of similarly positioned rivals, indicating a performance level that is tightly clustered with its immediate competitors.
Benchmark Performance
The available benchmark data for the GTX 460 SE comes from a single Geekbench OpenCL test, yielding an average score of 6,326 points. This score places the card at the 36th percentile of all GPUs, indicating that it performs better than roughly a third of the hardware in the database. The data shows a performance profile that is remarkably consistent with its nearest rivals, with all deltas falling within a single percentage point.
The closest competitor is the NVIDIA Quadro P2000, which scores 6,364 points, a difference of -0.6% relative to the GTX 460 SE. This means the GTX 460 SE trails the Quadro P2000 by a negligible margin, effectively placing them in the same performance tier for this workload. Conversely, the GTX 460 SE holds a slight edge over the AMD Radeon Pro WX 4100, which scores 6,309 points, giving the NVIDIA card a 0.3% advantage. The data indicates a near-photofinish between these two cards.
The performance gap widens, albeit slightly, when compared to the other two rivals. The GTX 460 SE leads the AMD Radeon R7 M350, which scores 6,290 points, by a 0.6% margin. Similarly, it is 0.6% ahead of the NVIDIA Quadro K620, which scores 6,286 points. These results suggest that in the specific OpenCL workload measured, all five cards are essentially interchangeable in performance, with the largest difference between any two being a mere 1.2%. The benchmark results indicate that the GTX 460 SE is a solid, mid-tier performer for its generation, though it does not decisively outpace or fall behind its listed rivals.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The GTX 460 SE does not include any dedicated ray tracing or tensor cores, as these hardware features were not part of the Fermi architecture from this era. The card's feature set is defined by its more traditional specifications, including 288 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 32 raster output units. These components drive the card's pixel rate of 7.800 GPixel/s and texture rate of 31.20 GTexel/s, with a FP32 performance of 748.8 GFLOPS.
In terms of API support, the GTX 460 SE supports DirectX 12 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.6. The DirectX 12 support is listed as feature level 11_0, which is a significant detail for software compatibility. The card does not list Vulkan support in the data. Memory is handled by 1024 MB of GDDR5 across a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 108.8 GB/s. The memory clock runs at 850 MHz, translating to 3.4 Gbps effective. The absence of modern acceleration features means that any ray-traced workloads would be entirely unsupported, and the feature set is firmly grounded in the rasterization-focused capabilities of its time.
Who Should Consider It
Given its benchmark scores, the GTX 460 SE is positioned for a specific user profile. The performance data, which shows it essentially tied with cards like the Quadro P2000 and Radeon Pro WX 4100 in OpenCL, suggests it is suitable for gaming at lower resolutions and settings. The 1024 MB memory capacity and 108.8 GB/s bandwidth will be the primary limiting factors for modern titles. Users should consider this card for 1080p gaming with reduced graphical settings or for esports titles that are not graphically demanding.
The 36th percentile standing means the card is outclassed by the majority of the GPU market, and it should not be considered for high-refresh-rate or high-fidelity 1440p or 4K gaming. The card is best suited for a legacy system build or as a basic display adapter for a machine where gaming is a secondary concern. Given that its closest rival, the Quadro K620, is a professional workstation card, the GTX 460 SE could also serve in a light workstation role for tasks that leverage OpenCL acceleration, though its performance ceiling is low. The data suggests that for a user with modest expectations, the GTX 460 SE can handle older games or modern games at low settings, but it is not a future-proof investment.
FAQ
Q: How does the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE perform compared to the NVIDIA Quadro P2000?
A: In the Geekbench OpenCL benchmark, the GTX 460 SE scores 6,326 points, which is 0.6% lower than the Quadro P2000's score of 6,364 points, indicating a negligible performance difference.
Q: What is the closest rival to the GTX 460 SE in terms of benchmark score?
A: The AMD Radeon Pro WX 4100 is the closest rival, with an average score of 6,309 points, a delta of just 0.3% from the GTX 460 SE's score.
Q: Does the GTX 460 SE support hardware-accelerated ray tracing?
A: No, the FACT PACK lists no ray tracing cores for this card, indicating that it does not have dedicated hardware for ray tracing.
Q: What is the memory configuration of the GTX 460 SE?
A: It has 1024 MB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 108.8 GB/s and a memory clock of 850 MHz (3.4 Gbps effective).
Q: What is the card's percentile ranking among all GPUs?
A: The GTX 460 SE is at the 36th percentile of all GPUs, meaning it performs better than 36% of the hardware in the database.
Q: Which API versions are supported by the GTX 460 SE?
A: The card supports DirectX 12 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.6. It does not list Vulkan support.
Power and Cooling
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE has a TDP of 150 W, which dictates its power and cooling requirements. The manufacturer recommends a 450 W power supply for a system using this card, and the card requires two 6-pin power connectors to operate. This is a dual-slot card, meaning it will occupy two expansion slots in a chassis.
The physical dimensions are 210 mm in length, or 8.3 inches, which is a moderate size and should fit in most standard ATX cases. The cooling solution is not specified in the data, but the dual-slot width and 150 W TDP suggest that a capable air cooler is required to manage thermals. The display outputs include two DVI ports and one mini-HDMI 1.3a port, offering basic connectivity options. The card uses a PCIe 2.0 x16 bus interface, which is backward compatible with newer slots. The production status is listed as end-of-life, and the card was released on 2010-11-14, with a launch MSRP of 160 USD. Given its age and power draw, users should ensure their power supply has the necessary connectors and wattage headroom.
The AMD Equivalent of GeForce GTX 460 SE
Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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