GeForce GTX 480 vs Radeon R7 260X

Speed and memory

The GeForce GTX 480 and the Radeon R7 260X are within a few percent of each other for gaming in our model, so you will not see a difference in play.

The GeForce GTX 480 has 1 GB of video memory and the Radeon R7 260X has 2 GB. That difference matters at 1440p and in new games at High textures, and it can outweigh a small speed advantage as the card ages.

In our estimates for popular games at 1080p on High, the biggest gap is in Grand Theft Auto V Legacy (37 against 52 fps), and the smallest is in Grand Theft Auto V Legacy (37 against 52 fps). Games that are light enough to run above 200 fps on both cards show little difference at all.

Power and value

The GeForce GTX 480 is rated at 250 W and the Radeon R7 260X at 115 W. With a mid-range processor that means a power supply of about 650 W for the first and 450 W for the second. A gap of 135 W shows up in heat and fan noise, and in your electricity use over a few years.

At launch the GeForce GTX 480 cost $499 and the Radeon R7 260X $139. Per dollar, the Radeon R7 260X gave more performance (2.2 points per $100 against 0.6). Current prices differ, so run the same sum on what you can actually buy today.

Which one to buy

Choose the GeForce GTX 480 if you want the faster card, and you can accept 1 GB of memory. It makes the most sense at 1440p and above, or on a monitor with a high refresh rate.

Choose the Radeon R7 260X if the price gap matters more than the small speed difference, and you value the extra video memory. Whichever you pick, check reviews for the games you play, because two cards with similar scores can differ in individual titles.