Nvidia GeForce GTX 480From real comments

Verdict distilled from 33 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment50%
PROS 50%
CONS 50%

Rank based on 33 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a nostalgic, capable retro GPU for old-era gaming
  • You value strong tessellation/DX11 performance over raw efficiency
  • You have good cooling, headphones, or don't mind fan noise

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're sensitive to heat, power draw, or loud fans
  • You need modern DX12 feature-level support for newer games
  • You have a small case or limited PSU amperage

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
PowerColor RX 6800
Cool, quiet cooling performanceSleek, understated build qualityLow power consumptionHigh prices during shortageCoil whine on some unitsFan durability concerns long-term
PowerColor RX 6800
Cool, quiet cooling performance
Sleek, understated build quality
Low power consumption
High prices during shortage
Coil whine on some units
Fan durability concerns long-term
Best value
2Budget
Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti
Exceptional longevitySolid 1080p performanceGood upgrade path from old GPUsLimited to lower/medium settings for demanding gamesNot top-tier performanceFan/cooler reliability over time
Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti
Exceptional longevity
Solid 1080p performance
Good upgrade path from old GPUs
Limited to lower/medium settings for demanding games
Not top-tier performance
Fan/cooler reliability over time
3Premium
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
Exceptional longevityStrong 1440p gaming performanceGreat used market valueEventually needs replacement in demanding gamesLacks modern feature setThermal paste degradation over time
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
Exceptional longevity
Strong 1440p gaming performance
Great used market value
Eventually needs replacement in demanding games
Lacks modern feature set
Thermal paste degradation over time
4Mid
Nvidia GeForce GTX 660
Strong 1080p gaming performanceExcellent value for moneyLong-term reliability and longevityBrand-specific fan noise concernsLimited VRAM versus competitorsOccasional driver/compatibility issues
Nvidia GeForce GTX 660
Strong 1080p gaming performance
Excellent value for money
Long-term reliability and longevity
Brand-specific fan noise concerns
Limited VRAM versus competitors
Occasional driver/compatibility issues
5Mid
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
Strong 1080p/1440p performancePerformance comparable to GTX 1070/1070Ti at lower priceLong-term reliability and aging wellHigh price for a mid-range card12GB variant seen as poor value or confusingLimited 6GB VRAM
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
Strong 1080p/1440p performance
Performance comparable to GTX 1070/1070Ti at lower price
Long-term reliability and aging well
High price for a mid-range card
12GB variant seen as poor value or confusing
Limited 6GB VRAM
6Budget
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
No external power connector neededGreat for small form factor and HTPC buildsLater became a good value due to shortagesPoor value versus RX 570Overpriced at launchRegional price disparities make it worse value
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
No external power connector needed
Great for small form factor and HTPC builds
Later became a good value due to shortages
Poor value versus RX 570
Overpriced at launch
Regional price disparities make it worse value
7Mid
PNY RTX 5070 Ti
Near-MSRP pricing and dealsCool operating temperaturesQuiet operation for most unitsCoil whine / fan noise on some unitsConfusing naming schemeNew 12-pin power connector adoption concerns
PNY RTX 5070 Ti
Near-MSRP pricing and deals
Cool operating temperatures
Quiet operation for most units
Coil whine / fan noise on some units
Confusing naming scheme
New 12-pin power connector adoption concerns
8Mid
PNY RTX 5070
Frequently available at or near MSRPStrong performance upgrade from older GPUsRuns cool and quiet, undervolts wellCoil whine or fan noise on some units12GB VRAM may limit future-proofingVoltage locked, limiting overclocking on some units
PNY RTX 5070
Frequently available at or near MSRP
Strong performance upgrade from older GPUs
Runs cool and quiet, undervolts well
Coil whine or fan noise on some units
12GB VRAM may limit future-proofing
Voltage locked, limiting overclocking on some units
9Budget
Nvidia GeForce GTX 750
Solid 1080p performanceExcellent budget valueExceptional longevityStruggles with demanding modern gamesCooling wear over yearsDriver instability
Nvidia GeForce GTX 750
Solid 1080p performance
Excellent budget value
Exceptional longevity
Struggles with demanding modern games
Cooling wear over years
Driver instability
10Budget
Zotac GTX 1650
Low power draw
Zotac GTX 1650
Low power draw
You are here
31Budget
Nvidia GeForce GTX 480
Long-term durability and nostalgiaStrong tessellation/DX11 performanceGood value at low secondhand pricesHigh heat outputHigh power consumptionLoud cooling fans
Nvidia GeForce GTX 480
Long-term durability and nostalgia
Strong tessellation/DX11 performance
Good value at low secondhand prices
High heat output
High power consumption
Loud cooling fans

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Performance held up remarkably well for its age. Owners describe running the GTX 480 in SLI for years, maxing out games with 3D Vision, and even using it in 2019-2021 as a stopgap. It notably beat AMD's HD 5970 in tessellation-heavy workloads. Some newer titles like Dying Light 2 and Fifa 23 struggle or fail due to missing DX12_0 feature support, and a 4090 comparison shows just how far GPUs have advanced since.

Heat and power consumption were the card's defining flaw. Multiple commenters call it a 'heater' or 'bacon fryer,' citing temperatures near 95C under Furmark and over 300w power draw, worse than AMD's dual-GPU HD5970. One user's uncle had a unit die from overheating despite a water-cooled case. Others report calmer real-world temps (70-80C) with custom fan curves, suggesting results varied by cooling setup and case airflow.

Fan noise and physical size caused buying hesitation. Several users note the cooling system is loud, even while gaming with good temps, and recommend headphones to tolerate it. Compared to Radeon cards, some found the GTX 480 preferable for its smaller size and lower noise. Case fitment was mixed: some found it fits fine given its shorter length versus the 5970, while others worried about cable management and space in cramped builds.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?