The GeForce4 MX460 is the fastest of the three, the MX440 is the sensible all-round choice, and the MX420 is a cut-down option whose slow memory limits its advantage. But none of the MX cards has the vertex and pixel shaders required for full DirectX 8.x support, so a faster MX is not a feature-equivalent substitute for a GeForce3.
How the GeForce4 MX models compare
Tom’s Hardware’s 2002 specifications show a clear divide in memory bandwidth: the MX460 and MX440 use faster memory than the MX420. Their clock and bandwidth figures are reference specifications, not guarantees for every retail board.
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| Model | Chip clock | Memory clock | Memory | Bandwidth | Theoretical fill rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce4 MX460 | 300 MHz | 550 MHz DDR | 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 |
These figures are from Tom’s Hardware’s GeForce4 MX comparison. The MX420’s bandwidth matches the GeForce2 MX400 in this table, despite its newer family name and higher chip clock.
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GeForce4 MX460: highest performance within the MX family
The MX460 leads the reference table in chip clock, memory clock, bandwidth, and theoretical fill rate. Tom’s Hardware reported results in some tests comparable to a GeForce3 Ti200 or even Ti500, and generally ahead of the Radeon 7500 in its comparisons. Those are results from that review’s tests, not a promise for every game or board.
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GeForce4 MX440: best balance for most buyers
The MX440 has substantially more memory bandwidth than the MX420 while costing less than the top MX460 in the original product lineup. Tom’s Hardware recommended it to value buyers. For a retro build where an MX card is appropriate, it is the most balanced starting point—provided the specific board fits the machine and the price makes sense.
GeForce4 MX420: entry-level, with a major memory bottleneck
The MX420’s 166 MHz SDRAM constrains it. In Tom’s Hardware’s conclusion, its performance was little better than the GeForce2 MX400. Choose one only if the particular card’s low cost, OEM provenance, or compatibility with a specific system is the reason to do so—not because the MX420 name implies a meaningful performance upgrade.
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Why the MX label does not mean full DirectX 8 support
All GeForce4 MX models lack vertex and pixel shaders, so they do not provide full DirectX 8.x functionality. That matters more than the MX460’s higher clock rates when a game or application requires hardware shader features. Tom’s Hardware advised considering a GeForce3 if prices were similar, because the GeForce3 includes those shader capabilities. A benchmark result close to a GeForce3 in a particular test does not make an MX card equivalent in features.
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The model number is only part of the decision. Hartware’s roundup of five MSI, Albatron, and PixelView boards notes differences in equipment and clock rates. Check the exact card listing or board identification rather than assuming every MX440, for example, has the same memory, outputs, or cooling.
Rank #3
- Nvidia Geforce4 Mx440 Agp8x
- 64mb Graphics Card
- Memory: Verify memory type and configuration; the MX420’s SDRAM limitation is especially relevant.
- Clock rates: Compare the listed core and memory clocks against the particular board, not just the family reference figures.
- Connector and outputs: Confirm the card’s AGP connector is compatible with the motherboard and inspect the actual video outputs required by the display.
- Cooling and condition: On a used card, check the cooler, fan operation if present, corrosion, and signs of repair or damage.
- Drivers and operating system: Confirm the card’s driver availability for the operating system and software in the intended build; the historical reviews do not establish current OS support.
Is a GeForce4 MX a good choice for a retro PC?
It can be, if the goal is a period-appropriate AGP system and the card’s feature set suits the games being played. Pick an MX460 for the highest performance among these three, or an MX440 for a more balanced option. An MX420 is a niche choice for a very low-cost or specifically compatible build. If the target software needs DirectX 8.x shader hardware, look beyond the MX family, even if an MX460 appears competitive in older benchmark results.
Hartware described its tested cards as entry-level products selling for roughly 100–170 euros in 2002. That is historical context only; it does not indicate current used-market value. The contemporary reviews establish past specifications and test comparisons, not 2026 prices, availability, seller reliability, or operating-system support.
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