OVERALL
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
ALTERNATIVES

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 Review | 118 Data compared

double-arrow
  • Avg. price in UK: ~£60
  • Avg. price in US: ~$40
  • VRAM: 2 GB
  • Memory bus width: 128 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 120 W

NVIDIA 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.

3.9

Overall score

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

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

Score components:

90.0%

3.4

Technical Score

10.0%

8.3

User score

Poor
3.4

Technical Score

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

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

Score components:

44.0%

1.9

Performance

24.0%

1.6

Memory

12.0%

7.2

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.6

Platform & Features

5.0%

8.6

Design

4.0%

8.0

Connectivity & Media

Poor
8.3

User score

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

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

Score components:

70.0%

8.5

User reviews

30.0%

8.0

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.2
(137)
amazon
4.4
(42)
amazon
4.3
(2)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Excellent
  • 3.1
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.1
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.4
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.4
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.7
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • nvidia-geforce-gtx-960
  • nvidia-geforce-gtx-960
  • nvidia-geforce-gtx-960
  • nvidia-geforce-gtx-960
  • nvidia-geforce-gtx-960
  • nvidia-geforce-gtx-960
  • nvidia-geforce-gtx-960
nvidia-geforce-gtx-960
nvidia-geforce-gtx-960
nvidia-geforce-gtx-960
nvidia-geforce-gtx-960
nvidia-geforce-gtx-960
nvidia-geforce-gtx-960
nvidia-geforce-gtx-960

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

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

Verdict

Launched in 2015, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 is a mid-range graphics card built on the 28nm Maxwell architecture (GM206), featuring 1,024 CUDA cores, 64 texture mapping units, and 32 ROPs. It typically comes with either 2GB or 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM on a 128-bit memory bus, operating at a base clock of 1127 MHz and a boost clock of 1178 MHz. Its main strengths include exceptional power efficiency with a low 120W TDP, support for HDMI 2.0 and DirectX 12, and solid 1080p gaming performance for its era. However, it is primarily held back by its narrow 128-bit memory interface and the limited 2GB of VRAM on standard models, which often causes performance bottlenecks in modern, texture-heavy games or at resolutions above 1080p.

Technical Specifications of NVIDIA 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%

1.9

Performance

24.0%

1.6

Memory

12.0%

7.2

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.6

Platform & Features

5.0%

8.6

Design

4.0%

8.0

Connectivity & Media

3.4
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 has a technical score of 3.45 points, which is lower than that of 94.1% of products in this category.
User score

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

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

Score components:

70.0%

8.5

User reviews

30.0%

8.0

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.2
(137)
amazon
4.4
(42)
amazon
4.3
(2)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

8.3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 has a user score of 8.35 points, which is higher than that of 69.3% 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.
8.0
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 has a popularity of 8 points, which is higher than 72.4% 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%

3.9

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

5.8
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.8 points, which is lower than 86.1% 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

6,023 points
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 scores 6023 points in PassMark G3D, which is lower than 65.9% of graphics cards.
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
NVIDIA 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

2.41 TFLOPS
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 delivers 2.41 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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.
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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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.
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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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.
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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
NVIDIA 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
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

241 mm
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 is 241 mm long, which is shorter than 75% of graphics cards and equal in length to 1.6% 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

111 mm
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 is 111 mm tall, which is shorter than 89.6% of graphics cards and equal in height to 5.6% 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
NVIDIA 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

?
Show more

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 vs the average graphics card

  • 38.5% lower PSU requirement
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
  • Supports ECC memory
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 supports ECC memory, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports error-correcting code memory for higher reliability
    When it matters: When stability and error correction matter more than pure gaming value.

    Importance: LOW

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 supports ECC memory, the average graphics card does not.
  • 16 mm lower card height
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
    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

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.111 mm vs 127 mm
  • 44.37 mm shorter card length
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 is shorter than the average graphics card (241 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.
    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

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 is shorter than the average graphics card (241 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.241 mm vs 285.37 mm
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
  • 8.83x cheaper
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£60 vs £530).
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£60 vs £530).£60 vs £530
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 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

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • Supports ECC memory
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 supports ECC memory, the average graphics card does not.
  • 0.2% faster VRAM clock
    NVIDIA 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 multi-GPU linking
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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.
  • 16 mm lower card height
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
  • 44.37 mm shorter card length
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 is shorter than the average graphics card (241 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.

Total
Overall
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design
  • 52.9% lower boost clock speed
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,178 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
  • 32 fewer compute units
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (64 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 78.1% lower pixel rate
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (36.1 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 32 fewer ROPs
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (32 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 47.2% lower PassMark score
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 has a lower PassMark score than the average graphics card (6,023 points vs 11,411 points). The average graphics card has a PassMark score of 11,411 points.
  • 89.6% lower compute throughput
    NVIDIA 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.
  • 83.8% lower FP64 performance
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 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.
  • 96.9% smaller L2 cache
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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.
  • No ray tracing
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 does not support ray tracing, the average graphics card does.
  • 8 older
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,015 vs 2,023).
  • Older PCIe version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • No XeSS support
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • No DirectStorage support
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 does not support DirectStorage, the average graphics card does.
  • Older OpenCL version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 supports an older OpenCL version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 3.0).
  • No sampler feedback
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • 86.6% fewer transistors
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDMI version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2 vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • Lower display resolution
    NVIDIA 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.
  • 5 °C lower thermal ceiling
    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 does not include a backplate, the average graphics card does.
  • No RGB lighting
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 does not include RGB lighting, the average graphics card does.
  • 52.9% lower boost clock speed
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,178 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
    What it is: Maximum boost frequency the GPU can reach under load
    When it matters: When you want a rough idea of peak advertised frequency, while knowing real sustained clocks still depend on cooling and power limits.

    Importance: HIGH

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,178 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.1178 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 128 bit narrower memory bus
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (64 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.64 vs 184
  • 75% lower memory bandwidth
    NVIDIA 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

    NVIDIA 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
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design

Graphic comparison of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 and

Attribute category
Attribute
No results found

Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.2
137 Reviews
amazon
4.4
42 Reviews
amazon
4.3
2 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960?

  • High power efficiency with low TDP (120W)
  • Excellent acoustic performance (runs very quiet)
  • Stays cool under heavy load
  • Solid 1080p performance for eSports and older AAA titles
  • Support for modern features like HDMI 2.0 and HEVC decoding
  • Great overclocking headroom in most aftermarket models
  • Compact size makes it ideal for small form factor (SFF) builds

What customers dislike about NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960?

  • Limited VRAM (2GB base model) struggles with modern textures
  • Narrow 128-bit memory bus restricts high-resolution gaming
  • Mediocre performance leap over the previous GTX 760
  • Poor value compared to the 4GB variants of competitor cards (at launch)
  • Lacks support for modern DirectX 12 Ultimate features
  • Noticeable performance drops in 1440p or higher resolutions

Expert reviews

O
overclockers.com
22/01/2015
ASUS STRIX GTX 960 Graphics Card Review With SLI Results

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.

G
guru3d.com
22/01/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming OC review

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...Read more

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

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...Read more

F
forbes.com
12/02/2015
Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 Review Part II: 1440p Benchmarks, 2-Way SLI, and Radeon 285 Showdown

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...Read more

T
techpowerup.com
22/01/2015
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 SLI Review

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...Read more

N
nitroware.net
03/02/2015
The NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 960 REVIEW - EVGA SSC Edition

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....Read more

H
hardwarezone.com.sg
29/01/2015
GeForce GTX 960 performance review: NVIDIA targets the "sweet spot" GFX market

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...Read more

H
hardwarecanucks.com
22/01/2015
The NVIDIA GTX 960Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Performance Review

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...Read more

D
digitalfoundry.net
18/10/2015
Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 review If you are looking for specific performance data from these tests, let me know if you would like me to compile their ave...

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...Read more

P
pcworld.com
22/01/2015
Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 graphics card review: Maxwell meets PC gaming’s sweet spot

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.

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

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...Read more

P
pcmag.com
27/02/2015
Zotac GeForce GTX 960 Amp Edition Review

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...Read more

H
hardwarecanucks.com
22/01/2015
The NVIDIA GTX 960 Performance Review

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....Read more

T
tomshardware.com
22/01/2015
Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 Graphics Card Comparison

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...Read more

T
techpowerup.com
22/01/2015
ASUS GTX 960 STRIX OC 2 GB Review

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%...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 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...Read more

T
tomshardware.com
22/01/2015
Nvidia GeForce GTX 960: Maxwell In The Middle

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...Read more

G
guru3d.com
22/01/2015
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 G1 Gaming review

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...Read more

C
computerbild.de
22/01/2015
Geforce GTX 960: Nvidias Maxwell-Chip im Test

The Asus Strix GeForce GTX 960 delivers a solid mid-range performance, offering a substantial 42% speed advantage over its predecessor, the GTX 750 Ti, for a modest premium of roughly €70. Built on Nvidia's Maxwell architecture, this highly compact graphics card easily fits into smaller PC enclosures and comes well-equipped with one DVI, one HDMI, and three DisplayPort connections....Read more

(Translated)Show original
C
computerbase.de
24/01/2017
GeForce GTX 460Go to product viewer dialogue for this item., 560, 660, 760, 960 & 1060 im Vergleich

This ComputerBase review evaluates six generations of Nvidia mid-range graphics cards spanning a six-year period from 2010 to 2017, specifically tracking the evolutionary path from the GeForce GTX 460 up to the then-current GeForce GTX 1060. Testing across historical and modern titles like Skyrim and Battlefield 1 reveals an astonishing 450 percent performance increase over the...Read more

(Translated)Show original
H
hardwareluxx.de
22/01/2015
5x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 im Test

The Hardwareluxx review of five Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 models highlights the GM206 Maxwell architecture's high power efficiency (120W TDP) and effective semi-passive cooling solutions, making them ideal for silent, compact 1080p gaming PCs. Further advantages include full H.265 (HEVC) hardware encoding/decoding and HDMI 2.0 support, which provides excellent future-proofing for HTPC...Read more

(Translated)Show original
H
hardware.fr
22/01/2015
Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 et GM206 : l'Asus Strix, l'Inno3D iChill Ultra et la MSI Gaming en test

This HardWare.fr review evaluates the mid-range Nvidia GeForce GTX 960, powered by the Maxwell-based GM206 GPU, which was introduced to replace the aging GTX 760 and compete in the popular €200–€250 price bracket. The evaluation highlights major performance benefits stemming from its advanced architecture, demonstrating remarkable power efficiency and a low TDP that keeps...Read more

(Translated)Show original
E
elchapuzasinformatico.com
23/01/2015
Review: Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 SLIGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. - El Chapuzas Informático

The El Chapuzas Informático review evaluates a dual-graphics configuration by pairing two Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 cards in SLI, analyzing performance across synthetic benchmarks like 3DMark 11 and Unigine Heaven. This setup boasts 2048 CUDA Cores, offering excellent scaling in compatible software and a low-power architecture inherited from the Maxwell design. However, the...Read more

(Translated)Show original
M
multiplayer.it
22/01/2015
MSI GTX 960 GamingGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. - Recensione - Schede Video

Summary The MSI GTX 960 Gaming is a mid-range graphics card based on NVIDIA’s 28-nanometer Maxwell architecture (GM206 chip) that targets 1080p PC gaming. Priced around €199, this GPU focuses on delivering excellent price-to-performance value, making it an ideal upgrade for users looking to match or exceed the performance of eighth-generation home consoles. In real-world benchmarks...Read more

(Translated)Show original
T
tomshw.it
22/01/2015
GeForce GTX 960, test prestazioni della scheda grafica con GPU GM206

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 review by Tom's Hardware showcases the mid-range graphics card featuring the new GM206 Maxwell architecture. Launched at a competitive price of 199 euro, this card targets the performance gap between the entry-level GTX 750 Ti and the higher-end GTX 970. Built on a 28nm process, it houses 1024 CUDA cores, 64 texture units, 32 ROPs, and a 1126 MHz base...Read more

(Translated)Show original

Video reviews

Best alternatives

sapphire-nitro-radeon-rx-480-8gb
Sapphire Nitro Radeon RX 480 8GB

Graphics cards

5.0
sapphire-radeon-rx-480-8gb
Sapphire Radeon RX 480 8GB

Graphics cards

5.0
msi-radeon-rx-480-gaming-8gb
MSI Radeon RX 480 Gaming 8GB

Graphics cards

4.9
gigabyte-geforce-gtx-1060-windforce-2x-6gb
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1060 WINDFORCE 2X 6GB

Graphics cards

5.0
nvidia-geforce-gtx-980
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980

Graphics cards

5.0
asus-dual-geforce-gtx-1060-oc
ASUS Dual GeForce GTX 1060 OC

Graphics cards

4.8
asus-geforce-gtx-980
ASUS GeForce GTX 980

Graphics cards

4.7
pny-geforce-gtx-1060-6gb
PNY GeForce GTX 1060 6GB

Graphics cards

4.5
nvidia-geforce-gtx-980-ti
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti

Graphics cards

5.0
amd-radeon-r9-380
AMD Radeon R9 380

Graphics cards

4.4
evga-geforce-gtx-550-ti-2gb
EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 2GB

Graphics cards

3.7
asus-radeon-rx-550-4gb
ASUS Radeon RX 550 4GB

Graphics cards

3.7

Compare NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 with

VS
VS

Compare