NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 Review | 118 Data compared

The Overclockers review of the ASUS STRIX GTX 960 OC highlights an efficient 1080p gaming card featuring a low 120W TDP, factory overclock, and a silent 0dB DirectCU II cooler. While supporting good two-way SLI scaling, the card is limited by a 128-bit memory bus and 2GB VRAM, leading to severe performance drops at higher resolutions or with DSR 4K.

The Guru3D review introduces the MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming Edition as a mainstream, energy-efficient graphics card explicitly targeted as an affordable 1080p alternative. Built on Nvidia’s 28nm Maxwell architecture (specifically the GM206 GPU), the card represents a significant hardware reduction compared to the high-end GTX 970 and 980. It is effectively cut in half across key specifications, featuring a severely restricted 128-bit memory bus, a lower 2 GB GDDR5 memory buffer, and exactly half the CUDA cores at 1,024. Despite these stripped-down foundational specs, MSI enhances the graphics card by delivering a solid factory overclock, boosting the core frequency to 1,216 MHz and the boost frequency to 1,279 MHz out of the box. The primary pros highlighted in the review focus on the card's phenomenal thermal and acoustic profile, driven by MSI’s newly revised, dark-themed TwinFrozr V dual-fan cooler. This cooling solution operates completely "silent and deadly," remaining virtually inaudible under load while restricting peak gaming temperatures to a highly impressive 65°C. Additionally, the GPU boasts great energy efficiency, demanding a modest real-world load of only around 127 Watts....

The MSI GeForce GTX 960 GAMING 2G OC Edition is a mid-range graphics card featuring NVIDIA’s Maxwell architecture, 2GB of GDDR5 VRAM, and a 128-bit memory bus. In 1080p testing, it delivers smooth performance, averaging 123 FPS on Medium and 80 FPS on Ultra presets in Battlefield 4. Its biggest strength lies in the Twin Frozr V cooling system, which keeps the card completely silent during operation by stopping the fans completely under low loads and remaining barely audible even under heavy gaming stress. Additionally, the card offers excellent overclocking headroom, allowing the stock GPU clock to easily scale from 1216MHz up to 1340MHz without any manual adjustments to fan speed or power limits, which successfully closes the performance gap against competing cards. Users also benefit from MSI's highly refined software package, including the Gaming App for quick profile switching and the widely popular Afterburner utility for detailed hardware monitoring. However, the card does come with noticeable drawbacks regarding its raw out-of-the-box speeds and high-resolution capabilities. At default clock speeds, its stock performance lags roughly 5% to 10% behind competing...

This Forbes review evaluates the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 in a 2-way SLI configuration, testing 1440p performance against AMD’s Radeon R9 285 in CrossFire. The GTX 960 setup offers superior thermal management, running significantly cooler at 61°C under load compared to the R9 285, while providing an average performance boost of roughly 51.3% across games. However, the 2GB VRAM buffer and 128-bit memory bus act as a major bottleneck at 1440p, limiting the longevity and performance of the configuration. Furthermore, the review found that the 2-way SLI scaling did not offer a significant advantage over a single high-end GPU, making it a difficult value proposition for high-resolution gaming.

The TechPowerUp review of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 SLI setup concludes that, while offering a performance boost, a dual-card configuration is generally not recommended over purchasing a single, faster card like the GTX 970. Pros include performance parity with a GTX 970 at 1080p and 1440p, alongside the high power efficiency of the Maxwell architecture, providing a viable upgrade for existing owners who find the cards at a significant discount. However, the setup faces significant cons, including a poor value proposition—costing roughly $70 more than a single GTX 970 at launch for lower overall performance-per-dollar. The configuration is limited by its 2GB VRAM and 128-bit memory interface, leading to performance dips in intensive titles, while also suffering from inconsistent SLI scaling and stuttering in modern, poorly supported games.

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960, evaluated through the EVGA SSC (Super Superclocked) Edition, is a mid-range graphics card designed for budget-conscious and mainstream PC gamers. Built on the efficient 2nd generation Maxwell GM206 architecture, this card replaces the older GTX 760 and focuses heavily on maximizing performance-per-watt efficiency rather than just raw, brute-force speed. It features 1,024 CUDA cores and is physically and structurally comparable to "half of a GTX 980" at roughly half the retail price. Benchmark evaluations show that even when compared against heavily factory-overclocked predecessors, the GTX 960 successfully balances optimal 1080p gaming capabilities with minimal hardware requirements. Pros and Cons Cons: Limited 128-bit memory bus width and a lower 112 GB/s memory bandwidth compared to older cards; a reduced core and texture unit count (64 TMUs); and occasionally flat or matching performance when stacked up directly against heavily overclocked previous-generation GTX 760 models.

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 introduces the Maxwell-based GM206 GPU, aimed squarely at the mid-range "sweet spot" market as a direct replacement for the older GTX 760. Tested via the ASUS Strix OC Edition, the card features 1024 CUDA cores and a narrow 128-bit memory bus, achieving a base clock speed of 1126MHz. Benchmarks across titles like Crysis 3 and Call of Duty: Ghosts show that while the GTX 960 handles 1080p gaming adequately, it provides only marginal raw performance gains over its 2013 predecessor and frequently trades blows with or trails behind its AMD rivals, the Radeon R9 270X and R9 280. Notably, the card heavily underperformed in the 4K-focused 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra test due to its restricted memory bandwidth. The primary pros of the GTX 960 include its updated Maxwell architecture feature set, which introduces DirectX 12 compliance, useful image enhancement technologies like Multi-Frame Sampled AA (MFAA) and Dynamic Super Resolution (DSR), and HDMI 2.0 support that makes it an excellent choice for a 4K home theater PC (HTPC). It also maintains low operating temperatures (around 59°C)...

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 Review Summary The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960, powered by the GM206 Maxwell architecture, targets the $199 to $250 price bracket to appeal to mainstream 1080p gamers upgrading from older cards like the GTX 460, 560, or 660. On paper, its specifications look modest due to a narrow 128-bit memory interface that yields a low native bandwidth of 112.16 GB/s, alongside 1,024 CUDA cores, 32 ROPs, and 64 TMUs. However, NVIDIA utilizes advanced memory compression algorithms to push the effective bandwidth to roughly 149 GB/s to offset these limitations. Testing of the custom ASUS STRIX OC variant highlights the efficiency of this architecture, as the card manages a remarkably low 120W TDP—a 50W drop from its predecessor—and achieves an impressive, stable real-world boost clock of 1416MHz out of the box due to excellent thermal headroom,. Pros & Cons Pros: Excellent Power Efficiency: The exceptionally low 120W TDP delivers a substantial 50W power saving over the older GTX 760,. Silent and Cool Operation: The ASUS STRIX DirectCU II cooler keeps the card incredibly cool, with fans that safely...

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 is a mid-range graphics card designed as a power-efficient option for 1080p gaming, though it fails to deliver the same groundbreaking value as the higher-end GTX 970. Built on the 28nm Maxwell architecture (GM206), the card features 1,024 CUDA cores, a 128-bit memory interface, and 2GB of GDDR5 VRAM operating at a memory bandwidth of 112.16 GB/s. Its biggest advantages are its exceptional power efficiency, cool temperatures, and whisper-quiet operation, pulling a peak system power draw of just 178W (under 200W even when overclocked). Additionally, it benefits from lower CPU driver overhead compared to its AMD counterparts, allowing it to maintain stable frame rates and avoid severe stuttering when paired with weaker, entry-level dual-core processors like an Intel Core i3. However, the review highlights several prominent flaws that keep the card from being a definitive "must-have" product for enthusiast gamers. Performance is highly dependent on the game; while it wins in titles like Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (86.4 fps) and Assassin's Creed Unity (43.0 fps), it falls noticeably short against competing AMD cards in...

The PCWorld review highlights the Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 as a power-efficient, $200 "Maxwell" GPU offering outstanding 1080p performance with silent, custom cooling solutions. However, the card is constrained by a narrow 128-bit memory bus and only 2GB of GDDR5 VRAM, which limits higher-resolution performance and future-proofing against memory-intensive titles.

The MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G offers an exceptionally quiet thermal solution, featuring the largest cooler and biggest fans among the GTX 960 variants tested by the reviewer. A major pro of this graphics card is its acoustic performance; the fans are barely audible even at full speed in a silent room. Additionally, the GPU temperature rarely exceeds the 65-degree Celsius threshold required to trigger the fans into motion, allowing for passive, silent operation under lighter loads. The card also delivers respectable overclocking performance that aligns well with competing models, safely pushing past its default Gaming Mode base clock of 1190MHz,. However, the card does come with a few notable drawbacks. One primary con is its power consumption, which registered a fair bit higher than the other three previously tested GTX 960 variants. While this increased draw is not dramatic enough to cause severe issues, it remains high enough to notice. Another drawback is its pricing structure; MSI's model is priced $10 higher than its direct competitors. Given that alternative options offer similar performance at a lower cost, the...

The Zotac GeForce GTX 960 Amp Edition is recognized for delivering the highest out-of-the-box performance among tested GTX 960 variants, making it a strong choice for 1080p gaming. It features a compact 8-inch design ideal for small-form-factor builds, along with a robust metal backplate for rigidity and superior power efficiency compared to AMD rivals. However, the card exhibits limited overclocking potential compared to competitors, and its 2GB VRAM may offer less longevity than options like the MSI R9 280X. Additionally, the underlying GTX 960 architecture does not offer a significant performance breakthrough in its price bracket, providing moderate value for its cost.

The Hardware Canucks review concludes that the NVIDIA GTX 960 is a highly efficient, budget-friendly $199 graphics card targeted strictly at 1080P gamers. Its primary pros center around its Maxwell architecture, which delivers significantly lower power consumption, minimal heat output, and consistent benchmark numbers, making it a prime candidate for small form factor builds. Furthermore, the card supports a robust feature set, including MFAA, G-SYNC, GameWorks, and Dynamic Super Resolution. Testing on custom models like the ASUS GTX 960 STRIX OC notes additional pros, such as running cool and extremely quiet with plenty of overclocking headroom for a minor $15 premium. However, the review highlights notable cons, stating that the GTX 960 fails to move the performance yardstick in any major way when compared to older hardware or its direct competition. It is only 6% faster than its predecessor (the GTX 760) at reference speeds, meaning it does not offer a compelling upgrade path for holdouts using older GTX 460, 560, or 660 cards. A major technical disadvantage is its 128-bit memory interface, which creates bandwidth-limited choke points in memory-intensive...

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 graphics card, built on the Maxwell architecture, is designed specifically for gamers playing at Full HD (1920x1080) resolution, which is the sweet spot for its price tier. In performance benchmarks using Battlefield 4, nearly all factory-overclocked partner boards slightly outperform older cards like the GeForce GTX 760, as well as AMD's Radeon R9 280 and 285. However, the card severely struggles at Ultra HD (3840x2160) resolution, where its narrow memory bus and reliance on texture compression fail to deliver playable frame rates, allowing the Radeon R9 285 to surpass it. Across various partner models, the actual performance variance is tight, with only about an eight percent difference separating the fastest card—the Gigabyte GTX 960 Gaming G1—from the slowest variant. Pros and Cons Pros: The GTX 960 offers excellent generational power efficiency inherent to the Maxwell architecture. It provides solid, competitive performance for 1080p gaming, outperforming previous-generation mid-range options, and premium partner designs like the Gigabyte Gaming G1 manage to extract higher sustained performance out of the box via aggressive boost clocks and updated BIOS profiles....

The TechPowerUp review finds the ASUS GTX 960 STRIX OC an efficient 1080p card, featuring a compact 22.5 cm design, backplate, and HDMI 2.0/triple DisplayPort connectivity. It offers excellent power efficiency (~110-120W gaming) and the DirectCU II cooler enables completely silent operation at idle. Pros include the "zero-decibel" fan system and low temperatures, alongside solid 10% overclocking headroom. However, the card is limited by 2 GB VRAM and a 128-bit bus, creating performance bottlenecks in modern, high-res gaming.

The TechPowerUp review of the MSI GTX 960 Gaming OC 2 GB highlights a highly efficient, budget-friendly card designed for 1080p gaming, launching at a competitive $200 MSRP. Key strengths include the Twin Frozr V cooler—offering silent, fan-stop operation—along with a factory overclock and improved power efficiency, per and. Conversely, the review notes a modest 9% performance gain over the GTX 760 and potential bottlenecks from the 2 GB memory and 128-bit bus in modern titles. Additionally, the card lacks a backplate and features an awkward, extended PCB design, as detailed in.

Here is a specific summary of the Tom's Hardware review for the Nvidia GeForce GTX 960: Review Summary The Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 introduces the efficient Maxwell architecture (specifically the GM206 GPU) to the budget-friendly $200 price point, bridging the massive gap between the older GTX 750 Ti and the premium GTX 970. Built to directly challenge AMD’s Radeon R9 285, the GTX 960 features 1024 CUDA cores, an 1126 MHz base clock, and 2GB of GDDR5 memory. It provides excellent generational power efficiency with a low 120W Thermal Design Power (TDP) that requires only a single 6-pin power connector, making it an ideal choice for low-power or small-form-factor builds. Additionally, unlike its more expensive GM204 siblings, the GTX 960 features an updated video engine that natively decodes forward-looking H.265 (HEVC) 4K video streams and supports HDCP 2.2 over HDMI 2.0, adding significant value for home theater PCs. However, the graphics card faces notable performance bottlenecks due to its highly restrictive 128-bit memory interface, which drastically cuts theoretical memory bandwidth down to 112.2 GB/s compared to the 256-bit interfaces found...

The Guru3D review of the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 G1 Gaming highlights the Maxwell-based GPU (GM206) as an excellent, quiet 1080p solution featuring a significant factory overclock to 1304 MHz boost and a robust 6-phase power design. Pros include the highly effective, semi-passive WindForce 3X cooler, top-tier overclocking headroom, and a durable metal backplate. Conversely, the primary cons involve the restrictive 128-bit memory bus and limited 2 GB VRAM, which hamper performance in memory-intensive titles. Additionally, the elongated, heavy cooler design may limit compatibility in smaller cases, and the lack of rear exhaust means heat is dumped into the chassis.