Graphics Accelerator GTX 960: Features, tests and comparison with competitors

In 2015, the graphic accelerator of the initial class was introduced on the basis of the updated Maxwell architecture, which according to NVidia specifications received the designation GTX 960. The characteristics of this product, of course, did not radically differ from the predecessors, but the organization of the semiconductor crystal of the GPU was substantially revised, In practice, a significant increase in performance.

Niche video accelerator

An excellent graphical solution for building an entry-level gaming personal computer to this day is the GTX 960. The characteristics of this accelerator confirm this once again. Below in the hierarchy is the GTX 950 and its more efficient modification with the prefix Ti. On the speed, they are much inferior to the graphic solution considered in this material, and even overclocking does not allow to reduce this gap. Therefore, it is the GTX 960 that is most optimal to use in the entry-level gaming PC. The GTX 970 is on the upstage, which is already focused on creating a PC with a medium-level gaming slope. But the cost of it is appropriate.

In the foreseeable future, the next generation video accelerator GTX 1050Ti will replace the hero of this review. Now you can already find such solutions on sale, but their sales have just started, and the prices for them are very significant. Therefore, while it is still advisable to use just the previous generation of graphics accelerators as part of such computing systems - due to more modest cost, availability and an acceptable level of performance.

Graphics Accelerator Features

The NVidia GeForce GTX 960 is well-developed and most widely used for the latest generation of 28nm graphics processors. The characteristics of its semiconductor crystal indicate that its area is only 228mm ² , and the number of transistors placed on it is 2.940m. The code name for this video chip is GM206. The minimum frequency is 1126 MHz, and in Boost mode it can be increased to 1178 MHz.

The total number of shader processing units is 1024, and it functions on the same frequency as the graphics processor. For the needs of each conveyor, 64 TMUs are allocated. But there are only 32 ROPs in this device. Support is declared at the level of DirectX software version 12. Well, the supported graphic interface is PCI Express version 3.0.

The subsystem of RAM and its features

Typically, as an entry-level graphics product, a memory subsystem is organized in the GTX 960. The characteristics are modest, but it is not necessary to expect anything unusual within the entry-level product. The size of the video buffer bus in this case is equal to a modest 128 bits. The type of memory supported in this case is GDDR5. The number of operational graphics memory for products of this family can be 2 or 4 GB.

In the software, there is no significant difference in performance between these two modifications. Exceptions can only be a few toys that display an image on a monitor in 2K format. But even in this case, the increase will be insignificant, and the limiting factor in this case is the performance of the graphics processor.

Overclocking ability. Real performance gains

If the system is properly equipped, there are no particular problems with overclocking the GeForce GTX 960. The characteristics of this accelerator will change the best side, and the operating frequency of the chip can reach 1241-1304 MHz, and the memory - 7200 MHz. In practice, this allows you to get an additional 7-10% to speed.

Comparison with competing products. Test results

As competitors of this graphic product from the video accelerators of the previous generation of this manufacturer can be considered GTX 760 and GTX 770. The first of them occupied the same niche as this model, but had a lower level of performance. The second was occupied by a segment of the market of graphic accelerators of an average level and had a comparable level of productivity. But taking into account the increased energy efficiency on the background of the products of the previous generation, the GeForce GTX 960 looks much better. The characteristics of these three video cards in this case are: 230 W for 770, 170 W for 760 and only 120 W for 960. In terms of performance, Namely, the last video card, and the cost is comparable to 770. On the AMD side, competitors of this product are R9 280X and R9 270X. The first of them has better performance, but the cost is higher, and the second one has significantly lower performance. The only real alternative to the 960 is the 1050 Ti. But this is a product of a new generation, which has not yet received much distribution.

Of course, the level of performance in this case will be on the side of a more recent solution, but it will become a real competitor in this niche in 4-6 months, when the prices for it will return to normal. Now, a worthy alternative in the entry-level products segment is not the hero of this review. In most gaming applications, the minimum number of FPS for the GTX 960 is 23-25 in high resolution and maximum settings. With the decrease in settings, you can get quite acceptable FPS at the level of 40-50 in most gaming applications, but you will have to partially sacrifice the quality of the output image.

The cost of the product. Owners opinion

In the configuration with 2 GB of RAM can be purchased for 10,000 rubles NVidia GTX 960. The specifications of the adapter, which indicated 4 GB, will lead to the fact that the initial cost will increase by 3000-4000 rubles and will be 13000-14000 rubles. The majority of owners of such a video card converge in one: this is an excellent entry-level graphics card with excellent energy efficiency and acceptable speed.

Results

Another excellent entry-level accelerator from NVidia was the GTX 960. This product looks very modest against the backdrop of flagship video accelerators. But its capabilities are quite enough to solve most of the entry-level tasks, and it does not yet have any worthy competitors.