OVERALL
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
ALTERNATIVES

MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming Review | 118 Data compared

double-arrow
  • Avg. price: ~£180
  • VRAM: 4 GB
  • Memory bus width: 128 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 120 W

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

3.3

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%

3.3

Technical Score

10.0%

?

User score

Poor
3.3

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%

1.9

Performance

24.0%

2.1

Memory

12.0%

5.5

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.4

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.0

Design

4.0%

8.0

Connectivity & Media

Poor
?

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%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 3.2
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.3
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.5
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.6
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.9
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • No image
No image

Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £180

Best rankings

?

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 Gaming is a Maxwell-based graphics card featuring 1,024 CUDA cores and options for 2GB or 4GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus. It operates with a base clock of 1216 MHz and a boost clock of 1279 MHz in Gaming Mode, supported by a 120W TDP and a single 8-pin power connector. Key advantages include its Twin Frozr V cooling system with Zero Frozr technology for silent operation under low loads, high energy efficiency, and reliable 1080p gaming performance with advanced connectivity including three DisplayPort 1.2 and one HDMI 2.0 port. However, it is constrained by its relatively narrow 112 GB/s memory bandwidth and a lack of a protective backplate on standard models, which can lead to performance bottlenecks at resolutions higher than 1080p.

Technical Specifications of MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming

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%

?

Performance

24.0%

?

Memory

12.0%

?

Power & Cooling

11.0%

?

Platform & Features

5.0%

?

Design

4.0%

?

Connectivity & Media

3.3
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming has a technical score of 3.26 points, which is lower than that of 95.3% 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%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
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.
1.0
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming has a popularity of 1 points, which is lower than 55.9% 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%

3.3

Overall score

40.0%

9.6

Price

5.2
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.2 points, which is lower than 94.9% 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

2,854 points
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming scores 2854 points in PassMark DirectCompute, which is lower than 66.7% of graphics cards and equal to 0.5% 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

2.67 TFLOPS
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming delivers 2.67 TFLOPS floating-point performance, which is lower than that of 94.6% 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

4 GB
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming has 4 GB of VRAM, which is less than 88% of graphics cards and equal to 6% 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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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.
Show more
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 Gaming 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

?
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 Gaming 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

4.5
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming supports OpenGL 4.5, which is older than on 95.2% of graphics cards and equal to 3.3% of graphics cards.
Show more
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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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.
Show more
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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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

?
Show more
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

?
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

139 mm
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming is 139 mm tall, which is taller than 75.1% of graphics cards and equal in height to 1.1% of graphics cards.
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 Gaming 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

?
Show more

MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming vs the average graphics card

  • 38.5% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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
  • 32x larger L2 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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 Gaming has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.1 vs 0
  • 2.94x cheaper
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming is cheaper than the average graphics card (£180 vs £530).
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming is cheaper than the average graphics card (£180 vs £530).£180 vs £530
  • 8 dB quieter under load
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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 Gaming 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
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 0.2% faster VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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 Gaming 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
  • 32x larger L2 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (1,024 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • 0.2% faster VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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 multi-GPU linking
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (64 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 79.4% lower texture rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (77.8 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 76.5% lower pixel rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (38.9 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 32 fewer ROPs
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (32 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 88.4% lower compute throughput
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming has a lower compute throughput than the average graphics card (2.7 TFLOPS vs 23.105 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has compute throughput of 23.105 TFLOPS.
  • 3,328 fewer FP32 units
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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 Gaming 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.
  • 8 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 75% lower memory bandwidth
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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 Gaming has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (7,010 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 62.5% smaller L1 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 ray tracing
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming does not support ray tracing, the average graphics card does.
  • 8 older
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,015 vs 2,023).
  • Older PCIe version
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • No XeSS support
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • No DirectStorage support
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming does not support DirectStorage, the average graphics card does.
  • Worse SAM support
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming offers worse SAM support than the average graphics card (no vs yes).
  • Older encoder generation
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming uses an older encoder generation than the average graphics card (5 vs 8). The average graphics card uses encoder generation 8.
  • No sampler feedback
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • Older OpenGL version
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming supports an older OpenGL version than the average graphics card (4.5 vs 4.6).
  • 86.6% fewer transistors
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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 Gaming does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDMI version
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2 vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • Not VR ready
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming is not VR ready, while the average graphics card is.
  • Older NVDEC generation
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
  • 7 °C higher idle temperature
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 RGB lighting
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming does not include RGB lighting, the average graphics card does.
  • 12 mm higher card profile
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming is taller than the average graphics card (139 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
  • 128 bit narrower memory bus
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (8 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.8 vs 40
  • 8 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 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 Gaming has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.4 GB vs 12 GB
  • 41.3% lower base clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming 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 Gaming has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (64 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.64 vs 184
  • 79.4% lower texture rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (77.8 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
    What it is: Number of textured pixels the GPU can process per second
    When it matters: When fast texture handling matters in high-refresh gaming workloads.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (77.8 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.77.8 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 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 Gaming has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).2 vs 3
Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design

Graphic comparison of MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming and

Attribute category
Attribute
No results found

Third-party reviews

What customers like about MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming?

  • Exceptionally quiet due to 'Zero Frozr' technology where fans stop at low loads
  • High energy efficiency with a low 120W TDP, suitable for 400W power supplies
  • Excellent thermal management; typically stays under 65-70°C even when gaming
  • Great performance for 1080p gaming on high or ultra settings
  • Visually appealing design with a white illuminated MSI dragon logo
  • Solid build quality featuring a metal plate to prevent PCB sagging

What customers dislike about MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming?

  • Limited 128-bit memory bus can bottle-neck performance in some high-res scenarios
  • 2GB VRAM may be insufficient for ultra textures in newer or 1440p titles
  • Plastic shroud design can feel 'cheap' compared to higher-end metal models
  • Lack of a full backplate on the 2G model compared to competitors
  • Performance isn't a massive leap over the previous generation GTX 760
  • Higher price point compared to some similarly performing AMD alternatives

Expert reviews

B
bit-tech.net
26/01/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G Review | bit-tech.net

The MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G is a highly efficient and exceptionally quiet graphics card that delivers reliable performance, especially for 1080p gaming. In benchmark testing, it easily achieved over 60fps in BioShock Infinite and maintained smooth gameplay in Battlefield 4 and Skyrim at 1080p, trailing just 1 to 2fps behind the slightly higher-clocked Asus Strix model. Its...Read more

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

The Overclockers review highlights the MSI GTX 960 Gaming 2G as a highly efficient, mid-range Maxwell card tailored for 1080p gaming, featuring the silent Twin Frozr V cooler and Zero Frozr technology to stop fans under 60°C. Proponents of the card include high-quality components for stable, quiet operation and impressive factory-overclocked performance in its target resolution....Read more

T
tomshardware.com
15/07/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2GGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. Review - Tom's Hardware

The MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G features the largest cooler and biggest fans among the GM206-based cards tested by Tom’s Hardware. It delivers exceptional thermal performance and is notably praised as one of the quietest non-passively cooled graphics cards available. The fans are barely audible even at maximum speed, and the GPU rarely hits the 65-degree Celsius threshold required...Read more

T
tweaktown.com
09/02/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 960 GAMING 2G OC Edition Video Card Review(tomshardware.com) | 15th July 2015 | MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G Review

The MSI GeForce GTX 960 GAMING 2G OC Edition is a highly capable, mid-range graphics card that targets smooth 1080p gaming at 60FPS at an affordable sub-$220 price point. Built on NVIDIA's efficient Maxwell architecture, the card features 2GB of GDDR5 VRAM on a 128-bit memory bus and includes reference-standard connectivity with three DisplayPorts, one HDMI 2.0, and one DVI port....Read more

T
techteamgb.co.uk
04/02/2015
MSI GTX 960 Gaming 2G Review - TechteamGB

In his review on TechteamGB, Andrew McDonald crowns the MSI GTX 960 Gaming 2G as the absolute perfect card for 1080p gaming at ultra settings. The standout pro highlighted is the exceptional thermal engineering of the 'Zero Frozr' cooler. Equipped with a dual 10cm independent 'Torx' fan setup and 'SuperSu' heat pipes, the graphics card achieves incredible thermal control. It...Read more

T
totallydubbed.net
01/02/2015
Review of the MSI Nvidia GTX 960 2G Graphics CardGo to product viewer dialogue for this item.

The MSI Nvidia GTX 960 2G graphics card, priced around £160–£180 ($240), is a highly efficient GPU designed specifically for the budget gaming market. Running on the Twin Frozr V cooling architecture, the card delivers exceptionally cool and quiet thermal performance, even under heavy gaming loads. It is remarkably power-efficient, drawing less than 200W for the entire system at...Read more

B
bit-tech.net
26/01/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G Review

The MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G is a mid-range graphics card based on Nvidia’s efficient Maxwell architecture (GM206 GPU), offering performance roughly on par with the older GTX 760. Priced around £176, this specific SKU stands out due to its factory overclock, which pushes the base clock to 1,216MHz and allows it to stably boost up to 1,367MHz under load. It features an upgraded...Read more

P
pcmag.com
22/01/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G Review

The PCMag review rates the MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G "Excellent" for its 1080p performance, utilizing Nvidia's Maxwell architecture, premium Twin Frozr V cooling, and superior power efficiency. Key advantages include nearly silent operation and advanced features like VXGI, DSR, and MFAA. Conversely, the card is noted for a price premium over the reference model and underwhelming...Read more

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

The TechPowerUp review of the MSI GTX 960 Gaming OC 2 GB highlights the card as an efficient, silent, and capable $200 option for 1080p gaming, featuring the Twin Frozr V cooler that stops fans at low loads. Pros include a factory overclock, immense power efficiency, high-quality power delivery, and strong overclocking potential, though it lacks a backplate and uses a basic voltage...Read more

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

The MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G is evaluated as a highly capable graphics card tailored specifically for Full HD (FHD) gaming, distinguishing itself from competing GTX 960 models by featuring the largest cooler and biggest fans of the group. It ships with a default "Gaming Mode" base clock speed of 1190 MHz and a boost clock of 1253 MHz, which can be successfully overclocked by an...Read more

H
hardwareluxx.de
22. Januar 2015
5x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 im Test

The Hardwareluxx review provides an in-depth analysis of five custom models of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960, targeting the highly competitive mid-range "sweet spot" market segment. Built on the energy-efficient 28 nm "Maxwell" architecture (specifically the GM206-300-A1 GPU), the graphics card features 1,024 shader units, 64 texture units, 32 ROPs, and a standard base clock of 1,126...Read more

(Translated)Show original
O
overclockers.at
26/01/2015
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960Go to product viewer dialog for this item. im Test

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 (specifically tested as the MSI Gaming 2G variant) utilizes the 28nm Maxwell GM206 architecture with 1,024 CUDA cores, 2 GB of GDDR5 memory, and a narrow 128-bit memory bus. Geared toward 1080p mainstream gaming, the card proves to be an efficiency powerhouse, enabling the full test system to draw under 200 Watts during intensive gameplay. The custom MSI...Read more

(Translated)Show original
H
hardwareluxx.de
22/01/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming - Impressionen (1)

The MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming graphics card is a conservative yet highly balanced option launched at an MSRP of 229 Euro. MSI opted for a modest factory overclock, raising the base GPU clock from 1,126 MHz to 1,216 MHz and the boost clock to 1,279 MHz (an 8.5% increase), while leaving the 2,048 MB GDDR5 memory at its stock 1,750 MHz. During testing across multiple games, the card...Read more

(Translated)Show original
R
redusers.com
04/12/2015
Review: MSI GTX 960 Gaming

The MSI GTX 960 Gaming is a mid-range graphics card built on Nvidia’s 28 nm Maxwell architecture, featuring a GPU clock speed of 1125 MHz (1178 MHz turbo boost) and a 128-bit memory bus. Tested on a system with an AMD FX 8320 processor and 16 GB of RAM, the card delivers stable gaming performance at 1080p resolution with high filters, maintaining frame rates over 30 fps in modern...Read more

(Translated)Show original
T
techtesters.eu
04/03/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G Review

The Techtesters review positions the MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G as a key mid-range contender designed to bridge the substantial 150-euro price gap between the older GTX 760 and the higher-tier GTX 970. Built on Nvidia's GM206 Maxwell architecture, this graphics card targets the ~200 euro budget segment, though inflation pushed its retail price closer to 225 euros at launch. A...Read more

(Translated)Show original

Video reviews

Best alternatives

gigabyte-aorus-geforce-rtx-2070-super
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce RTX 2070 Super

Graphics cards

6.2
zotac-geforce-gtx-1080-ti-amp-extreme
ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Amp Extreme

Graphics cards

6.0
sparkle-arc-a580-orc-oc-edition
SPARKLE ARC A580 Orc OC Edition

Graphics cards

6.5
evga-geforce-gtx-1070-ti-sc-black-edition-acx-3-0
EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti SC Black Edition ACX 3 0

Graphics cards

5.6
evga-gtx-1070-ti-gaming
EVGA GTX 1070 Ti Gaming

Graphics cards

5.6
asus-dual-geforce-rtx-2060-evo
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 2060 Evo

Graphics cards

5.5
intel-arc-a750
Intel ARC A750

Graphics cards

7.0
sparkle-arc-b570-guardian-oc
SPARKLE ARC B570 Guardian OC

Graphics cards

6.3
msi-geforce-gtx-1070-ti-gaming
MSI GeForce GTX 1070 Ti Gaming

Graphics cards

5.5
sapphire-pulse-radeon-rx-6500-xt
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 6500 XT

Graphics cards

5.5
intel-arc-a580
Intel ARC A580

Graphics cards

6.0
gigabyte-radeon-rx-6500-xt-gaming-oc
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 6500 XT Gaming OC

Graphics cards

5.2

Compare MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming with

VS
VS

Compare