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MSI GeForce GTX 960 Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£35
  • Avg. price in US: ~$40
  • VRAM: 2 GB
  • Memory bus width: 128 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 120 W

MSI GeForce GTX 960 review. Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among graphics cards and if it is worth buying.

3.5

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%

3.0

Technical Score

10.0%

7.5

User score

Poor
3.0

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%

1.8

Performance

24.0%

1.3

Memory

12.0%

6.0

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.1

Platform & Features

5.0%

6.7

Design

4.0%

7.8

Connectivity & Media

Poor
7.5

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%

9.6

User reviews

30.0%

2.6

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.8
(15)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.9
(15)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Very good
  • 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

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

Verdict

The MSI GeForce GTX 960 is a Maxwell-based graphics card featuring 1,024 CUDA cores and options for 2GB or 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM on a 128-bit memory bus with a bandwidth of approximately 112.2 GB/s. Built on a 28nm process, it typically operates at a base clock of around 1127 MHz and can reach boost speeds up to 1304 MHz in OC mode, supporting DirectX 12 and requiring a 400W minimum power supply via a single 8-pin connector. Its primary advantages include high efficiency with a low 120W TDP, exceptionally quiet operation thanks to Twin Frozr V cooling with Zero Frozr technology that stops fans at low loads, and reliable 1080p gaming performance. However, the card is held back by its narrow 128-bit memory interface and limited VRAM in the 2GB model, which significantly hinders performance in modern AAA titles or resolutions above 1080p.

Technical Specifications of MSI GeForce GTX 960

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%

1.8

Performance

24.0%

1.3

Memory

12.0%

6.0

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.1

Platform & Features

5.0%

6.7

Design

4.0%

7.8

Connectivity & Media

3.0
MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a technical score of 3.03 points, which is lower than that of 97.4% 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%

9.6

User reviews

30.0%

2.6

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.8
(15)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.9
(15)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

7.5
MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a user score of 7.5 points, which is lower than that of 83.4% 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.
2.6
MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a popularity of 2.6 points, which is higher than 51.2% 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%

3.5

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

5.4
MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.4 points, which is lower than 92.1% 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

?
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

2,801 points
MSI GeForce GTX 960 scores 2801 points in PassMark DirectCompute, which is lower than 67.7% of graphics cards and equal to 1.1% of graphics cards.
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

2.413 TFLOPS
MSI GeForce GTX 960 delivers 2.413 TFLOPS floating-point performance, which is lower than that of 95.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.1% of graphics cards.
Show more
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
MSI GeForce GTX 960 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

GDDR5
MSI GeForce GTX 960 uses GDDR5 memory, which is older than on 85% of graphics cards and equal to 13.2% of graphics cards.
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
MSI GeForce GTX 960 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

112.2 GB/s
MSI GeForce GTX 960 reaches 112.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 93.6% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.2% 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
MSI GeForce GTX 960 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
MSI GeForce GTX 960 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

?
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
MSI GeForce GTX 960 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
MSI GeForce GTX 960 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
MSI GeForce GTX 960 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
MSI GeForce GTX 960 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

3
MSI GeForce GTX 960 offers 3 DisplayPort outputs, which is more than 20.9% of graphics cards and equal to 77.3% 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
MSI GeForce GTX 960 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

5.4 Gbps
MSI GeForce GTX 960 supports DisplayPort link rates up to 5.4 Gbps, which is slower than on 90.9% of graphics cards and equal to 8% of graphics cards.
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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

120 W
MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a TDP of 120 W, which is lower than that of 83.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.6% 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

120 W
MSI GeForce GTX 960 draws 120 W under peak load, which is lower than 84.4% of graphics cards and equal to 1.5% 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

400 W
MSI GeForce GTX 960 recommends a 400 W PSU, which is lower than that of 91.7% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.5% 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

?
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

120 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

?
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

267 mm
MSI GeForce GTX 960 is 267 mm long, which is shorter than 59.6% of graphics cards and equal in length to 3.4% of graphics cards.
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

?
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
MSI GeForce GTX 960 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

833 g
MSI GeForce GTX 960 weighs 833 g, which is lighter than 67.5% of graphics cards.
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MSI GeForce GTX 960 vs the average graphics card

  • 38.5% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (400 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (400 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.400 W vs 650 W
  • 44.2% lower TDP
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (120 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (120 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.120 W vs 215 W
  • 15.14x cheaper
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£35 vs £530).
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£35 vs £530).£35 vs £530
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.1 vs 0
  • 8 dB quieter under load
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower load noise level than the average graphics card (27 dB vs 35 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35 dB.
    What it is: Noise level produced by the graphics card while under load.
    When it matters: When the PC sits near you and fan noise matters during play.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower load noise level than the average graphics card (27 dB vs 35 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35 dB.27 dB vs 35 dB
  • 0.2% faster VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,753 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
    What it is: Speed at which the GPU memory operates
    When it matters: When you want more context on how quickly the card's VRAM can move data.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,753 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.1753 MHz vs 1750 MHz
  • Supports NVLink
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA NVLink or bridge connection for multi-GPU setups
    When it matters: When a professional or niche multi-GPU workflow needs a bridge connection.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • 0.2% faster VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,753 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • Supports NVLink
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • 44.2% lower TDP
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (120 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 38.5% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (400 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
  • 8 dB quieter under load
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower load noise level than the average graphics card (27 dB vs 35 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35 dB.

Total
Overall
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
  • 32 fewer compute units
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (8 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 41.3% lower base clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,127 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 120 fewer TMUs
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (64 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 32 fewer ROPs
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (32 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 89.4% lower FP32 performance
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (2.4 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.
  • 89.6% lower compute throughput
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower compute throughput than the average graphics card (2.4 TFLOPS vs 23.105 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has compute throughput of 23.105 TFLOPS.
  • 83.9% lower FP64 performance
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 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.
  • 3,328 fewer FP32 units
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (1,024 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
  • 128 bit narrower memory bus
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 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
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 75% lower memory bandwidth
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (112.2 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • 63.1% slower memory speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (7,012 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 96.9% smaller L2 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has fewer L2 cache than the average graphics card (1 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • 62.5% smaller L1 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (48 vs 128). The average graphics card has 128 L1 cache.
  • 5.6x larger process node
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 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.
  • 8 older
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,015 vs 2,023).
  • Older PCIe version
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • No XeSS support
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • No sampler feedback
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • 86.6% fewer transistors
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (2,940 million vs 21,900 million). The average graphics card has 21,900 million transistors.
  • No AV1 encoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4a).
  • No VRR support
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 does not support VRR, the average graphics card does.
  • Older HDMI version
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2 vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • Not VR ready
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 is not VR ready, while the average graphics card is.
  • Older NVDEC generation
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower NVDEC generation than the average graphics card (2 vs 6). The average graphics card offers NVDEC generation 6.
  • Lower display resolution
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 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
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
  • 7 °C higher idle temperature
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a higher idle temperature than the average graphics card (45 °C vs 38 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 38 °C.
  • 5 °C lower thermal ceiling
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower thermal ceiling than the average graphics card (98 °C vs 93 °C). The average graphics card has a thermal ceiling of 93 °C.
  • No backplate
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 does not include a backplate, the average graphics card does.
  • 128 bit narrower memory bus
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 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
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 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
  • 32 fewer compute units
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (8 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (8 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.8 vs 40
  • 10 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 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
  • 41.3% lower base clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,127 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,127 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.1127 MHz vs 1920 MHz
  • 120 fewer TMUs
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (64 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (64 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.64 vs 184
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).2 vs 3
  • 75% lower memory bandwidth
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (112.2 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (112.2 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.112.2 GB/s vs 448 GB/s
Total
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Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.8
15 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.9
15 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about MSI GeForce GTX 960?

  • Extremely quiet operation due to Twin Frozr V cooler and Zero Frozr technology that stops fans under low load
  • Excellent thermal management, maintaining low temperatures even during heavy gaming
  • High power efficiency with a low 120W TDP, suitable for builds with 400W power supplies
  • Solid 1080p gaming performance, especially in popular MOBA and esports titles
  • Attractive design featuring an illuminated LED dragon logo and a high-quality build
  • Good overclocking headroom for users looking to squeeze out extra performance

What customers dislike about MSI GeForce GTX 960?

  • Limited 2GB VRAM can be a bottleneck in modern AAA titles or when using high-resolution textures
  • Narrow 128-bit memory bus restricts overall memory bandwidth compared to competitors
  • Performance at 1440p and 4K is inconsistent, often struggling to maintain playable frame rates
  • Stock performance can be slightly lower than some rival factory-overclocked versions from other brands
  • Physical size (over 10 inches) may be too long for some smaller mini-ITX cases

Expert reviews

T
totallydubbed.net
01/02/2015
Review of the MSI Nvidia GTX 960 2G Graphics CardGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. Please let me know if you would like to find more review...

The MSI Nvidia GTX 960 2G is an affordable, power-efficient, and exceptionally quiet graphics card targeted at the budget 1080p gaming market. Built on a modern, highly efficient architecture, its primary strengths lie in its superb thermal performance and low power draw. The Twin Frozr V cooling system allows the card to run incredibly cool and quiet under load, and it features a...Read more

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tomshardware.com
15/07/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G Review

The MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G features Nvidia's GM206 GPU paired with an exceptionally large heatsink and dual-fan thermal solution. In terms of performance, the graphics card delivers respectable overclocking capabilities, achieving a stable MHz over its default 1190MHz Gaming Mode core clock. The standout feature of this specific variant is its acoustic profile. The twin fans...Read more

B
bit-tech.net
26/01/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2GGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. Review

The bit-tech.net review evaluates the MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G, highlighting its implementation of Nvidia's GM206 Maxwell architecture to offer a mid-range solution geared primarily toward 1080p gaming. A major pro of this card is the inclusion of the highly effective Twin Frozr V cooler, featuring two massive 100mm fans and a semi-passive operation that completely shuts off...Read more

P
pcper.com
30/01/2015
The GTX 960 at 2560×1440

The MSI GeForce GTX 960 GAMING 2G (priced at approximately $210–$220 after rebates) offers highly competitive price-to-performance metrics for standard 1080p gaming, but it faces notable challenges when pushed to higher resolutions like 2560×1440. Tested against older and competing architectures—such as NVIDIA's own GTX 760 and 770, alongside AMD's Radeon R9 285 and 280X—the GTX 960...Read more

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techteamgb.co.uk
04/02/2015
MSI GTX 960 Gaming 2GGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. Review

The MSI GTX 960 Gaming 2G is highly praised by TechteamGB as the perfect graphics card for 1080p gaming at ultra settings, offering a well-engineered thermal solution for mid-range builds. A major pro highlighted in the review is the 'Zero Frozr' cooler, which features a black and red shroud, 'SuperSu' heat pipes, and independent 10cm 'Torx' fans that completely shut off during idle...Read more

O
overclockers.com
09/02/2015
MSI GTX 960 Gaming 2G Video Card Review - Overclockers

The MSI GTX 960 Gaming 2G is highlighted as a highly efficient mid-range card tailored for solid 1080p performance, featuring the quiet Twin Frozr V cooling solution with Zero Frozr technology. It offers an 8-pin connector for increased power headroom and arrives with a strong factory overclock. Key drawbacks noted are the limited 2GB GDDR5 VRAM and narrow 128-bit memory bus, which...Read more

G
guru3d.com
22/01/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming OCGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. review

The Guru3D MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming OC review details a factory-overclocked mainstream graphics card built on Nvidia’s 28 nm Maxwell GM206 architecture, engineered specifically to serve as an affordable 1080p gaming solution. Prominent pros identified by the reviewer highlight the performance of the newly revised TwinFrozr V cooler, which limits full-load GPU temperatures to a...Read more

T
techpowerup.com
22/01/2015
MSI GTX 960 Gaming OC 2 GB Review - TechPowerUp

The TechPowerUp review of the MSI GTX 960 Gaming highlights a highly efficient, $200 GPU designed for 1080p gaming, featuring the silent Twin Frozr V cooler and excellent power efficiency. Pros include a factory overclock, great manual overclocking headroom, and HDMI 2.0 support, although the card lacks a backplate and uses a voltage controller without I2C support. Performance-wise,...Read more

T
tomshardware.com
15/07/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G Review - Tom's Hardware

The MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G is evaluated as a highly capable graphics card for full high-definition (FHD) gaming, striking a distinct balance of features among its competitors. It is equipped with 2GB of GDDR5 memory and a 128-bit memory bus. A major highlight of this specific model is its physical design, as it boasts the largest cooler and the biggest fans compared to other...Read more

U
uk.pcmag.com
27/02/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G - PCMag UK

The MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G is a solid, mid-range graphics card that introduces advanced features like Maxwell architecture and DirectX 12 support at an affordable $200 price point. Key strengths include its rendering technologies, such as Voxel Global Illumination (VXGI) for realistic lighting, Dynamic Super Resolution (DSR) for enhanced image textures, and Multi-Frame...Read more

T
tweaktown.com
09/02/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 960 GAMING 2G OC Edition Video Card Review - TweakTown

The TweakTown review awards the MSI GeForce GTX 960 GAMING 2G OC Edition a 92% rating, highlighting the Twin Frozr V cooler for its quiet, efficient operation and the factory-overclocked performance. Key advantages include strong 1080p gaming performance, good overclocking headroom, and a stylish design with a single 8-pin power connector. Conversely, the primary limitation is the...Read more

M
multiplayer.it
22/01/2015
MSI GTX 960 Gaming - Recensione - Schede Video

The MSI GTX 960 Gaming is an excellent mid-range graphics card based on NVIDIA's 28-nanometer Maxwell architecture (GM206 chip), designed to offer high-quality 1080p gaming at an affordable €199 base price point. Tested on an Intel Core i5 system, the factory-overclocked card (running between 1216 MHz and 1279 MHz) delivers performance that matches or exceeds home consoles. It...Read more

(Translated)Show original
T
tomshw.it
07/08/2015
Recensione MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G - Tom's Hardware

The MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G is a highly silent graphics card specifically designed for fluid gaming performance in Full HD resolution. Built with a custom printed circuit board and a factory-overclocked GM206 GPU, its standout feature is the massive Twin Frozr V cooling system, which uses large 10.1 cm Torx fans to efficiently disperse heat. It features Zero Frozr technology...Read more

(Translated)Show original
T
tweakers.net
22/01/2015
Nvidia GTX 960Go to product viewer dialogue for this item. Round-up

The Tweakers review of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 identifies the card as a highly power-efficient midrange option based on the Maxwell architecture, designed to deliver quiet and cool gaming at 1080p resolution. Key advantages include its excellent thermal management and low power consumption, along with a new video engine featuring full hardware decoding for H.265 (HEVC). While an...Read more

(Translated)Show original

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