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GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£140
  • VRAM: 2 GB
  • Memory bus width: 128 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 90 W

GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 review. Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among graphics cards and if it is worth buying.

4.0

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the graphics card's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best graphics cards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

3.4

Technical Score

10.0%

8.7

User score

Poor
3.4

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

1.7

Performance

24.0%

1.8

Memory

12.0%

8.4

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.7

Platform & Features

5.0%

6.4

Design

4.0%

6.6

Connectivity & Media

Poor
8.7

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.2

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
(194)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(332)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Excellent
  • 3.1
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.1
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.4
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.4
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.7
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • gigabyte-geforce-gtx-950
gigabyte-geforce-gtx-950

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 is a mid-range graphics card based on the 28nm Maxwell architecture, featuring 768 CUDA cores and 2GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit interface. Factory-overclocked variants, such as the Windforce OC edition, typically offer a base clock of 1102 MHz and a boost clock of 1279 MHz, while requiring a 350W power supply and a single 6-pin PCIe connector. Its main pros include efficient 1080p performance for eSports and MOBA titles, low power consumption with a 90W TDP, and effective cooling from the dual-fan Windforce system. However, cons include the limited 2GB VRAM buffer which struggles with modern AAA textures, and the 128-bit bus that can bottleneck performance at higher resolutions.

Technical Specifications of GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

1.7

Performance

24.0%

1.8

Memory

12.0%

8.4

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.7

Platform & Features

5.0%

6.4

Design

4.0%

6.6

Connectivity & Media

3.4
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a technical score of 3.43 points, which is lower than that of 94.3% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.2

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
(194)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(332)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

8.7
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a user score of 8.74 points, which is higher than that of 73.8% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
10
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 77.9% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

4.0

Overall score

40.0%

9.8

Price

5.7
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.7 points, which is lower than 87.7% of products in this category.
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Time Spy, a synthetic DirectX 12 test often used as a quick gaming-performance reference.
When it matters: When you need a fast rough performance sort before digging into game-specific reviews and frame-rate data.

Importance: LOW

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3DMark Port Royal score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Port Royal, a synthetic test focused on ray tracing performance.
When it matters: When ray tracing matters in the games you actually play and you want one quick way to separate stronger and weaker RT cards.

Importance: LOW

N/A
PassMark (G3D) result
What it is: Overall GPU performance score in PassMark G3D benchmark
When it matters: When you need one broad score to sort cards into rough performance tiers.

Importance: LOW

?
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
What it is: PassMark score for DirectCompute performance tests
When it matters: When compute workloads matter alongside gaming performance.

Importance: LOW

?
Floating-point performance
What it is: Theoretical floating-point compute performance of the GPU.
When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

Importance: LOW

1.825 TFLOPS
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 delivers 1.825 TFLOPS floating-point performance, which is lower than that of 97.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.1% of graphics cards.
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VRAM
What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

Importance: HIGH

2 GB
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has 2 GB of VRAM, which is less than 94.5% of graphics cards and equal to 3.9% of graphics cards.
Memory type
What it is: Type of graphics memory used (GDDR6, HBM2e, etc.)
When it matters: When memory technology is part of the buying decision because it affects bandwidth class, power use, and product positioning.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
GDDR version
What it is: Generation of GDDR memory used by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you want to separate older memory generations from newer ones before comparing bandwidth, power behavior, and market tier.

Importance: LOW

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Memory bus width
What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

Importance: HIGH

128 bit
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 uses a 128 bit memory bus, which is narrower than that of 69.8% of graphics cards and equal to that of 26.1% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

Importance: HIGH

105.8 GB/s
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 reaches 105.8 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 96.3% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.1% of graphics cards.
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PCI Express (PCIe) version
What it is: Version of PCI Express interface supported
When it matters: When you are pairing the card with an older motherboard and want to avoid leaving bandwidth or future compatibility on the table.

Importance: LOW

3.0
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 supports PCIe 3.0, which is older than on 77.6% of graphics cards and equal to 20.3% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
What it is: Number of PCI Express lanes used for communication
When it matters: When limited lane width could bottleneck the card in some systems.

Importance: LOW

x16
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 uses x16 PCIe lanes, which is more than 31.5% of graphics cards and equal to 68.6% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
What it is: Highest supported DirectX API version
When it matters: When you play newer Windows games that depend on the latest graphics features.

Importance: LOW

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Vulkan version
What it is: Highest supported Vulkan API version
When it matters: When modern games, emulators, or creative apps lean on Vulkan support.

Importance: LOW

1.4
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 supports Vulkan 1.4, which is more advanced than on 26.6% of graphics cards and equal to 73.4% of graphics cards.
OpenGL version
What it is: Highest supported OpenGL API version
When it matters: When older games or pro apps still depend on OpenGL compatibility.

Importance: LOW

4.6
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 4.8% of graphics cards and equal to 95.2% of graphics cards.
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Max displays supported
What it is: Total number of external displays supported simultaneously
When it matters: When you run a multi-monitor desk for sim racing, trading, or editing.

Importance: LOW

4
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 supports up to 4 displays, which is more than 7.8% of graphics cards and equal to 89.2% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
What it is: Maximum supported digital display resolution
When it matters: When you plan to drive 4K or 8K panels at their native resolution.

Importance: LOW

4096x2160
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 supports a maximum digital resolution of 4096x2160, which is lower than that of 56.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.4% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort outputs
What it is: Number of DisplayPort video outputs
When it matters: When your setup needs several high-refresh monitors without adapters.

Importance: LOW

1
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 offers 1 DisplayPort outputs, which is fewer than 89.5% of graphics cards and equal to 8.6% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
What it is: Version of DisplayPort standard supported
When it matters: When your monitor setup depends on newer DisplayPort features for higher refresh rates, higher resolution, or better cable flexibility.

Importance: LOW

1.2
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 supports DisplayPort 1.2, which is older than on 93.6% of graphics cards and equal to 4.8% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
What it is: Supported data link rates for DisplayPort connections
When it matters: When you are pushing high resolution and refresh rate over DisplayPort.

Importance: LOW

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Thermal Design Power (TDP)
What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

Importance: MEDIUM

90 W
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a TDP of 90 W, which is lower than that of 90.1% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.1% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
What it is: Peak power draw of the graphics card under maximum load.
When it matters: When transient-heavy gaming loads could stress your power supply.

Importance: LOW

90 W
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 draws 90 W under peak load, which is lower than 90.2% of graphics cards and equal to 0.2% of graphics cards.
Recommended PSU wattage
What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

Importance: LOW

350 W
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 recommends a 350 W PSU, which is lower than that of 94.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 1% of graphics cards.
Board power limit
What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

Importance: LOW

90 W
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a board power limit of 90 W, which is lower than that of 90.9% of graphics cards.
PCIe power spec
What it is: PCIe power delivery specification followed
When it matters: When you are checking whether the slot and external cables match the card's intended power-delivery standard.

Importance: LOW

90 W
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Size
What it is: Physical size of the GPU card
When it matters: When you need the card to fit a compact case without blocking nearby hardware.

Importance: LOW

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Length
What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

Importance: LOW

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Height
What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

Importance: LOW

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Slot width
What it is: Number of PCIe slots occupied by the card
When it matters: When you need room for another PCIe card or better airflow under the GPU.

Importance: LOW

2 slot/s
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 occupies 2 slot/s, which is slimmer than 49.2% of graphics cards and equal in width to 47.3% of graphics cards.
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the graphics card
When it matters: When sag, bracket support, or shipping stress matters in your build.

Importance: LOW

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GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 vs the average graphics card

  • 58.1% lower TDP
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (90 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
    When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (90 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.90 W vs 215 W
  • 46.2% lower PSU requirement
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (350 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
    What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
    When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (350 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.350 W vs 650 W
  • 32x larger L2 cache
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (1,024 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
    What it is: Total size of the GPU’s L2 cache memory
    When it matters: When cache size can help the GPU feed data faster in demanding scenes.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (1,024 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.1024 MB vs 32 MB
  • 59.1% lower board power limit
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (90 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.
    What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
    When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (90 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.90 W vs 220 W
  • 2 more DVI outputs
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
    What it is: Number of DVI display outputs available
    When it matters: When you still use an older monitor that depends on DVI.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.2 vs 0
  • 3.79x cheaper
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£140 vs £530).
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£140 vs £530).£140 vs £530
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA SLI or AMD CrossFire multi-GPU setup
    When it matters: When you still run legacy multi-GPU gaming or rendering workflows.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 9.3% higher user score
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a higher user score than the average graphics card (8.74 vs 8.000).
    What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.
    When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a higher user score than the average graphics card (8.74 vs 8.000).8.74 vs 8
  • 32x larger L2 cache
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (1,024 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 2 more DVI outputs
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • 58.1% lower TDP
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (90 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 46.2% lower PSU requirement
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (350 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
  • 59.1% lower board power limit
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (90 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.
  • 59.1% lower peak power draw
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower peak power draw than the average graphics card (90 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a peak power draw of 220 W.
  • 6 °C lower idle temperature
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower idle temperature than the average graphics card (32 °C vs 38 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 38 °C.

Total
Overall
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
  • 34 fewer compute units
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (6 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 46.7% lower base clock speed
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,024 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 136 fewer TMUs
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (48 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 76.2% lower pixel rate
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (39.3 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 32 fewer ROPs
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (32 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 92% lower FP32 performance
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (1.8 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.
  • 92.1% lower compute throughput
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower compute throughput than the average graphics card (1.8 TFLOPS vs 23.105 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has compute throughput of 23.105 TFLOPS.
  • 87.7% lower FP64 performance
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower FP64 performance than the average graphics card (0.1 TFLOPS vs 0.4651 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP64 performance of 0.4651 TFLOPS.
  • 3,584 fewer FP32 units
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (768 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
  • 128 bit narrower memory bus
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a narrower memory bus than the average graphics card (128 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
  • 10 GB less VRAM
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 76.4% lower memory bandwidth
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (105.8 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • 65.2% slower memory speed
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (6,612 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 62.5% smaller L1 cache
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (48 vs 128). The average graphics card has 128 L1 cache.
  • 5.5% slower VRAM clock
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,653 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • 5.6x larger process node
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
  • No DLSS support
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
  • Older PCIe version
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • 7 older
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,016 vs 2,023).
  • No AI upscalers
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 does not support AI upscalers, the average graphics card does.
  • No XeSS support
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • No DirectStorage support
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 does not support DirectStorage, the average graphics card does.
  • 86.6% fewer transistors
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (2,940 million vs 21,900 million). The average graphics card has 21,900 million transistors.
  • 2 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 3). The average graphics card has 3 DisplayPort outputs.
  • No AV1 encoding
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDMI version
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2 vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • Not VR ready
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 is not VR ready, while the average graphics card is.
  • Lower display resolution
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 supports a lower maximum digital resolution than the average graphics card (4096x2160 vs 7680x4320). The average graphics card supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320.
  • 1 fewer fans
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
  • 32 dB noisier at idle
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a higher idle noise level than the average graphics card (32 dB vs 0 dB). The average graphics card has an idle noise level of 0 dB.
  • No backplate
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 does not include a backplate, the average graphics card does.
  • No RGB lighting
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 does not include RGB lighting, the average graphics card does.
  • 128 bit narrower memory bus
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a narrower memory bus than the average graphics card (128 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
    What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
    When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a narrower memory bus than the average graphics card (128 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.128 bit vs 256 bit
  • 5.6x larger process node
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
    What it is: Size of the manufacturing process in nanometers
    When it matters: When process node differences may affect power, heat, and overall efficiency.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.28 nm vs 5 nm
  • 34 fewer compute units
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (6 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    What it is: Total number of shader multiprocessors or compute units
    When it matters: When you want a better sense of the GPU's overall parallel hardware resources before relying on game benchmarks alone.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (6 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.6 vs 40
  • 10 GB less VRAM
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
    When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.2 GB vs 12 GB
  • 46.7% lower base clock speed
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,024 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
    What it is: Base operating frequency of the GPU core under standard conditions
    When it matters: When you want to understand the card's guaranteed starting frequency instead of looking only at optimistic boost figures.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,024 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.1024 MHz vs 1920 MHz
  • 136 fewer TMUs
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (48 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
    What it is: Total count of texture mapping units on the GPU
    When it matters: When texture-heavy gaming performance matters and you want extra hardware context behind texture-rate claims.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (48 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.48 vs 184
  • 1 fewer fans
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
    What it is: Total number of cooling fans
    When it matters: When you compare cooler designs and want one more clue about thermal potential.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).2 vs 3
  • 76.4% lower memory bandwidth
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (105.8 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
    What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
    When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (105.8 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.105.8 GB/s vs 448 GB/s
Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design

Graphic comparison of GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950 and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
194 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
332 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950?

  • Solid 1080p performance for entry-level gaming and eSports titles like MOBA or CS:GO
  • Excellent power efficiency based on the Maxwell architecture, suitable for budget PSUs
  • Effective cooling under load, with specific models like the Windforce staying around 62°C
  • Good overclocking potential, with some versions reaching performance levels near a stock GTX 960
  • Supports modern features for its era, including DirectX 12 (level 12.1) and HDMI 2.0 for 4K video playback
  • Compact physical design makes it compatible with smaller ITX cases

What customers dislike about GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 950?

  • 2GB VRAM is a major bottleneck for modern titles, often requiring 720p settings or low textures
  • Fan noise can be noticeable on basic models, as some lack a semi-passive (zero RPM) idle mode
  • Lacks a backplate on standard editions, which affects both aesthetics and card rigidity
  • Poor value proposition in the current used market compared to faster alternatives like the RX 580 or GTX 1050 Ti
  • Standard OC models may have very basic heatsink designs without dedicated cooling for memory or VRMs
  • End-of-life driver support means no further optimizations for newer game releases

Expert reviews

G
goldfries.com
28/08/2015
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 OC Edition with Windforce 2X Graphics Card Review

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 OC Edition with Windforce 2X is a compact, budget-friendly graphics card originally targeted at MOBA gamers, requiring only a single 6-pin PCI-E connection due to its modest 90W rated power draw. In benchmarks utilizing an Intel Core i5-4670K test bed, the card delivered highly playable performance at 1080p, achieving an average of 46 FPS in Metro Last...Read more

T
techpowerup.com
20/08/2015
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 OC 2 GBGo to product viewer dialog for this item. Review - TechPowerUp

The TechPowerUp review of the Gigabyte GTX 950 OC 2 GB highlights an efficient, factory-overclocked, and compact card suitable for entry-level gaming. Key pros include low power consumption under 100W, the dual-fan WindForce 2X cooler maintaining low temperatures, and high manual overclocking headroom. Conversely, the budget-oriented cooler lacks copper heat pipes, and the 2 GB...Read more

B
bit-tech.net
02/12/2015
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 Xtreme Gaming Review | bit-tech.net

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 Xtreme Gaming 2GB is a highly overclocked, premium graphics card that pushes Nvidia’s entry-level Maxwell architecture to its absolute limits. Its core strengths lie in its market-leading factory overclock of 1,203MHz base / 1,405MHz boost (a 17% increase over reference) and an upgraded 7GHz effective memory speed, providing excellent out-of-the-box...Read more

B
bit-tech.net
20/08/2015
Nvidia GeForce GTX 950 Review: feat. Gigabyte | bit-tech.net

The bit-tech Nvidia GeForce GTX 950 Review highlights the entry-level GM206 Maxwell GPU as a highly capable and efficient upgrade for 1080p gaming, particularly targeting MOBA players with latency-reduction features. Tested via the factory-overclocked Gigabyte GTX 950 OC 2GB, the card delivers smooth performance across standard titles like Alien: Isolation, Battlefield 4, and Grand...Read more

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tomshardware.com
21/12/2015
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 Xtreme Gaming Review TechPowerUp

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 Xtreme Gaming is a highly optimized, factory-overclocked graphics card powered by a trimmed-down GM206-250 processor featuring 768 CUDA cores, 48 texture units, and 32 ROPs. Hand-selected through Gigabyte’s "GPU Gauntlet" sorting process, the card boasts an aggressive base clock speed of 1203MHz (boosting to 1405MHz) and matches the higher-tier GTX 960...Read more

T
techpowerup.com
28/09/2015
Gigabyte GTX 950 Xtreme Gaming 2 GB Review | TechPowerUp

The TechPowerUp review of the Gigabyte GTX 950 Xtreme Gaming 2 GB highlights a heavily customized, premium Maxwell-based card, featuring a significant factory overclock on both core and memory that makes it the fastest GTX 950 tested by the publication. Key pros include excellent build quality with a protective backplate, a silent idle-fan-off feature, and superior cooling,...Read more

G
guru3d.com
24/09/2015
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 Xtreme Gaming review - Guru 3d

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 Xtreme Gaming is a heavily factory-overclocked, entry-level graphics card designed for reliable 1080p gaming. Built on Nvidia’s 28nm Maxwell GM206 architecture, it features 768 CUDA cores and a 128-bit memory bus. Gigabyte significantly pushes performance past reference specs by raising the base clock from 1024 MHz to 1203 MHz, the dynamic boost clock...Read more

B
bit-tech.net
20/08/2015
Nvidia GeForce GTX 950 Review: feat. Gigabyte

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 950 is a solid entry-level graphics card priced at £130, offering a noticeable performance improvement over the AMD R7 370 while filling the market gap just below the GTX 960. It boasts strong future-proof features, including G-Sync and DirectX 12 support, alongside HDMI 2.0 and H.265 encoding/decoding capabilities. These features, combined with low power...Read more

H
hardwareluxx.de
23/10/2015
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 Xtreme Gaming im Test If you'd like, I can find reviews of the exact Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 model in English or other langu...

The review of the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 Xtreme Gaming by Hardwareluxx highlights the card as an aggressively factory-overclocked variant of Nvidia’s entry-to-mid-range Maxwell-based GPU, optimized specifically for solid 1080p gaming performance. A major pro identified in the analysis is its superior speed within its class, with Gigabyte pushing the boundaries to deliver what aims...Read more

(Translated)Show original
C
computerbild.de
20/08/2015
Geforce GTX 950 im Test: Neuer Nvidia-Einsteiger

The COMPUTER BILD review of the Gigabyte Geforce GTX 950 OC Edition highlights it as a solid, entry-level budget graphics card that serves as a worthy successor to the older GTX 750 Ti. Tested with a compact design suitable for smaller PC cases, the card features 768 processing units and 2 GB of video memory. It provides fluid performance for budget-conscious gamers, delivering an...Read more

(Translated)Show original
T
tomshw.it
21/01/2016
Recensione Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 Xtreme Gaming - Tom's Hardware If you need help finding reviews for other specific hardware components or want to...

The Tom's Hardware review highlights the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 Xtreme Gaming as a highly capable, budget-friendly graphics card specifically optimized for Full HD (1080p) gaming and esports titles like MOBA games. Built on Nvidia’s Maxwell GM206 architecture, this specific variant cuts down on costs compared to the higher-end GTX 960 while remaining fiercely competitive. Gigabyte...Read more

(Translated)Show original

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