The GeForce4 MX440 is the best all-round choice, the MX460 is the fastest MX variant, and the MX420 is worth considering only when its low cost or OEM compatibility matters. The three cards share the GeForce4 MX family name but differ sharply in memory bandwidth and, consequently, real-world performance. None has the programmable vertex and pixel shaders required for full DirectX 8.x features, so even a fast MX460 is not a feature-equivalent substitute for a GeForce3 or GeForce4 Ti.
GeForce4 MX specifications at a glance
Tom’s Hardware’s 2002 comparison table lists the following reference specifications. Clock rates and memory configurations can vary by retail board, so treat these as family-level reference figures rather than guarantees for every card carrying the badge.
| Variant | Chip clock | Memory clock | Memory | Bandwidth | Theoretical fill rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce4 MX460 | 300 MHz | 550 MHz | 64 MB | 8,800 MB/s | 600 Mpixel/s |
| GeForce4 MX440 | 270 MHz | 400 MHz | 64 MB | 6,400 MB/s | 540 Mpixel/s |
| GeForce4 MX420 | 250 MHz | 166 MHz | 64 MB | 2,656 MB/s | 500 Mpixel/s |
| GeForce2 MX400 (comparator) | 200 MHz | 166 MHz | 64 MB | 2,656 MB/s | 400 Mpixel/s |
The most important number is usually memory bandwidth. The MX420’s 166 MHz SDRAM gives it the same listed bandwidth as the older GeForce2 MX400, despite its newer family name. The MX440 more than doubles that bandwidth, while the MX460 adds still more headroom.
Which GeForce4 MX is fastest?
GeForce4 MX460
The MX460 is the performance leader: a 300 MHz core, 550 MHz memory clock, 8,800 MB/s bandwidth and a 600 Mpixel/s theoretical fill rate in the Tom’s Hardware reference table. Contemporary comparisons reported the MX460 reaching results comparable to a GeForce3 Ti200—and in some tests even approaching Ti500-level results—while generally beating Radeon 7500 results in those comparisons.
#1 Best Overall
- 64 MB DDR SDRAM memory
- Delivers the industry's best 2D/3D graphics performance in a mainstream graphics card
- NVIDIA nView display technology
- Integrated TV Encoder supporting up to 1024 x 768 resolution
- NVIDIA Accuview Antialiasing
That speed does not remove the MX family’s feature deficit. The MX460 still lacks hardware vertex and pixel shaders, so games that require full DirectX 8.x effects may run with reduced features or fail to provide the same rendering path available on a GeForce3.
GeForce4 MX440
The MX440 runs a 270 MHz core and 400 MHz memory clock, with 6,400 MB/s listed bandwidth and a 540 Mpixel/s theoretical fill rate. Tom’s Hardware specifically recommended it to value buyers. It gives up some performance to the MX460 but avoids the MX420’s severe memory bottleneck, making it the sensible middle ground for a period-correct retro build.
Rank #2
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX440
- Interface: AGP, AGP Speed: 4X AGP
- Memory: 64MB SDRAM
- T/V Out
- Includes Chaintech Graphics Card, Manual, Software Drivers for Win9x, ME, XP, Win2000
GeForce4 MX420
The MX420’s 250 MHz core is not dramatically slower on paper, but its 166 MHz SDRAM limits bandwidth to 2,656 MB/s. The cited contemporary conclusion found it performing little better than a GeForce2 MX400. Choose it when an inexpensive card, a particular OEM system, or a board’s physical compatibility is more important than maximum frame rate; do not buy it assuming the “GeForce4” label guarantees MX440-class performance.
MX420 vs MX440 vs MX460: what changes in practice?
- Memory subsystem: The MX420’s 166 MHz SDRAM is the major restriction. MX440 and MX460 reference boards provide substantially higher memory clocks and bandwidth.
- Core speed: The listed progression is 250 MHz (MX420), 270 MHz (MX440) and 300 MHz (MX460), but core speed alone does not explain the MX420’s weak results.
- Shader support: All three omit vertex and pixel shaders and therefore lack full DirectX 8.x functionality.
- Performance tier: MX460 is the fastest; MX440 is the value recommendation; MX420 is a constrained, compatibility-driven option.
Why a faster MX is not a GeForce3 replacement
GeForce4 MX GPUs are derived from a feature set that omits hardware vertex and pixel shaders. This is the central distinction between an MX460 and a GeForce3 or GeForce4 Ti: benchmark speed in older, non-shader workloads does not equal API feature support. Tom’s Hardware advised considering a GeForce3 when prices were similar because it provided full DirectX 8.x functionality.
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- Nvidia Geforce4 Mx440 Agp8x
- 64mb Graphics Card
For a retro system, check the games you actually intend to run. A library centered on DirectX 7-era titles can benefit from the MX460’s speed, whereas shader-dependent DirectX 8 software may need a GeForce3-class card or another GPU with the required hardware.
Retail boards are not interchangeable
Hartware’s examination of five cards from MSI, Albatron and PixelView found differences in equipment and clock rates. The MX designation therefore identifies a GPU tier, not a complete specification for a particular product.
Check these details before buying
- Exact memory type and layout: Confirm whether the board uses the memory configuration associated with the performance you expect; an MX440 name alone does not guarantee identical clocks.
- Bus width and clock rates: Compare the seller’s photographed or documented specifications with the reference figures, especially for unusual OEM and low-profile boards.
- Outputs: VGA, DVI and TV-out combinations vary by board. Match the connectors to your monitor or television setup.
- Cooling: Fanless and fan-cooled designs have different maintenance and noise implications, and aged fans can fail.
- AGP interface: Verify the connector keying and AGP generation required by your motherboard before purchasing a “GeForce4 MX440 AGP graphics card.” Physical fit and electrical compatibility are separate checks.
- Drivers: Confirm that drivers exist for the operating system used by your retro build; historical reviews do not establish support on every modern or replacement operating system.
Is a GeForce4 MX good for a retro PC?
Yes, when the target software matches its capabilities and the specific board fits the machine. The MX460 offers the highest performance in the family, while the MX440 is usually the better-balanced choice because it avoids MX420-class bandwidth limitations without paying for the top bin. The MX420 can still make sense for an OEM restoration or a very low-cost build, but its results are close to GeForce2 MX400 territory.
Do not treat a GeForce4 MX as a universal early-2000s gaming card. Its missing shaders matter in DirectX 8.x games, and board-level differences can affect outputs, clocks, memory and cooling. For a restoration, document the motherboard’s AGP requirements and the game’s rendering API first, then select the exact board rather than shopping by the family name alone.
Best Value
- Robust 4GB Memory & Quad Display Ready: Equipped with 4GB of fast GDDR5 memory to smoothly handle daily graphics tasks. Features four built-in HDMI ports, enabling a seamless quad-monitor setup directly out of the box—perfect for multi-tasking offices, digital signage, or trading desks.
- Plug-and-Play Installation & Wide Compatibility: Utilizes a standard PCI Express interface for broad compatibility with most desktop PCs. Offers straightforward plug-and-play installation and stable driver support for modern Windows and Linux operating systems, ensuring a hassle-free setup.
- Quiet, Cool & Compact Design: Engineered with a silent fan and efficient cooling system for near-silent operation, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. Its low-profile design fits easily into small form factor cases, with both half-height and full-height brackets included for flexible installation.
- Enhanced Multimedia & Everyday Performance: Delivers smooth 1080P video playback and supports hardware-accelerated decoding, offering an excellent experience for home theater PCs (HTPC). Provides capable performance for everyday applications, multimedia tasks.
- Complete Package & Reliable Support: Includes the graphics card, both low-profile and standard brackets, a quick start guide, and screwdriver, which make it simple and quick setup process.
Historical price context and today’s buying uncertainty
Hartware described the tested cards as entry-level products costing roughly €100–€170 in 2002. That is launch-era context, not a current used-market price. The contemporary sources establish specifications and period performance comparisons, but they do not establish 2026 stock, pricing, seller reliability or operating-system support. Used listings should therefore be evaluated individually, with clear photos and a return option preferred for untested hardware.
Verdict
Pick the MX440 for the best balance of speed and value in a GeForce4 MX-based retro PC. Pick the MX460 when maximum MX performance is the goal and your games do not require hardware shaders. Pick the MX420 only for a specific compatibility or budget reason. If a GeForce3 is similarly priced and your software uses DirectX 8.x shaders, the GeForce3’s feature set is the more important upgrade than the MX label.
Quick Recap
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