The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 is a popular mid-range graphics card that has been a staple in the gaming community for years. With its impressive performance and affordable price point, it’s no wonder why many gamers have chosen this card as their go-to option. However, as technology advances and new games demand more power, the GTX 960’s limitations are becoming more apparent. If you’re looking to upgrade or simply want to know what’s better than a GTX 960, this article will guide you through the best options available.
The Limitations of the GTX 960
Before we dive into what’s better than a GTX 960, let’s first understand its limitations. The GTX 960 is a Maxwell-based graphics card with 1024 CUDA cores, 64 texture units, and 32 ROPs. It has a base clock speed of 1127 MHz and a boost clock speed of up to 1178 MHz. While these specs were impressive at its release, they’re now starting to show their age.
One of the major limitations of the GTX 960 is its lack of VRAM. With only 2GB or 4GB of GDDR5 memory, the card struggles to handle games with high-resolution textures and detailed graphics. This results in reduced performance and frame rates, making it difficult to play modern games at high settings.
Additionally, the GTX 960 lacks some of the advanced features found in newer graphics cards, such as DirectX Raytracing (DXR), Variable Rate Shading (VRS), and Multi-Frame Sampled Anti-Aliasing (MFSAA). These features are essential for taking advantage of the latest graphics technologies and enjoying a more immersive gaming experience.
Pascal-Based Graphics Cards: A Significant Upgrade
The next generation of NVIDIA graphics cards after Maxwell was Pascal, which brought significant improvements in performance, power efficiency, and features. If you’re looking to upgrade from a GTX 960, Pascal-based graphics cards are an excellent option.
GTX 1060: A Popular Mid-Range Option
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 is a popular mid-range graphics card that offers a significant performance boost over the GTX 960. With 1280 CUDA cores, 80 texture units, and 48 ROPs, the GTX 1060 has a much higher processing power than its predecessor.
The GTX 1060 also comes with 3GB or 6GB of GDDR5 memory, which provides more bandwidth and allows for smoother performance in games with high-resolution textures. Additionally, the GTX 1060 supports Pascal’s advanced features, such as simultaneous multi-proc rendering, dynamic super resolution, and NVIDIA’s GPU Boost 3.0 technology.
GTX 1070: A Powerful High-End Option
If you’re looking for even more power, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 is a high-end graphics card that offers exceptional performance and features. With 1920 CUDA cores, 120 texture units, and 64 ROPs, the GTX 1070 has a much higher processing power than the GTX 1060.
The GTX 1070 also comes with 8GB of GDDR5 memory, which provides even more bandwidth and allows for smoother performance in games with ultra-high-resolution textures. Additionally, the GTX 1070 supports all of Pascal’s advanced features, including NVIDIA’s SLI technology, which allows you to combine multiple graphics cards for even more performance.
Volta-Based Graphics Cards: The Next Generation
After Pascal, NVIDIA released the Volta architecture, which brought even more significant improvements in performance, power efficiency, and features. Volta-based graphics cards are an excellent option if you’re looking for the latest and greatest technology.
GTX 1660: A Budget-Friendly Option
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 is a budget-friendly graphics card that offers a significant performance boost over the GTX 960. With 1408 CUDA cores, 88 texture units, and 48 ROPs, the GTX 1660 has a much higher processing power than its predecessor.
The GTX 1660 also comes with 6GB of GDDR6 memory, which provides more bandwidth and allows for smoother performance in games with high-resolution textures. Additionally, the GTX 1660 supports Volta’s advanced features, such as NVIDIA’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology, which uses AI to improve image quality.
RTX 2060: A Ray-Tracing Powerhouse
If you’re looking for the latest and greatest technology, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 is a powerful mid-range graphics card that offers exceptional performance and features. With 1920 CUDA cores, 120 texture units, and 48 ROPs, the RTX 2060 has a much higher processing power than the GTX 1660.
The RTX 2060 also comes with 6GB of GDDR6 memory, which provides more bandwidth and allows for smoother performance in games with ultra-high-resolution textures. Additionally, the RTX 2060 supports Volta’s advanced features, including real-time ray tracing, AI-enhanced graphics, and Variable Rate Shading (VRS).
| Graphics Card | CUDA Cores | Texture Units | ROPs | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTX 960 | 1024 | 64 | 32 | 2GB/4GB GDDR5 |
| GTX 1060 | 1280 | 80 | 48 | 3GB/6GB GDDR5 |
| GTX 1070 | 1920 | 120 | 64 | 8GB GDDR5 |
| GTX 1660 | 1408 | 88 | 48 | 6GB GDDR6 |
| RTX 2060 | 1920 | 120 | 48 | 6GB GDDR6 |
AMD Options: A Competitive Alternative
While NVIDIA graphics cards are popular among gamers, AMD offers competitive alternatives that are worth considering. If you’re looking for an AMD graphics card that’s better than a GTX 960, here are some options:
Radeon RX 560
The AMD Radeon RX 560 is a budget-friendly graphics card that offers a significant performance boost over the GTX 960. With 1024 Stream processors, 64 texture units, and 16 ROPs, the RX 560 has a much higher processing power than its predecessor.
The RX 560 also comes with 4GB of GDDR5 memory, which provides more bandwidth and allows for smoother performance in games with high-resolution textures. Additionally, the RX 560 supports AMD’s Polaris architecture features, including asynchronous shaders and delta color compression.
Radeon RX 580
If you’re looking for even more power, the AMD Radeon RX 580 is a mid-range graphics card that offers exceptional performance and features. With 2304 Stream processors, 144 texture units, and 32 ROPs, the RX 580 has a much higher processing power than the RX 560.
The RX 580 also comes with 8GB of GDDR5 memory, which provides even more bandwidth and allows for smoother performance in games with ultra-high-resolution textures. Additionally, the RX 580 supports AMD’s Polaris architecture features, including Multi-Threaded Command Buffer, which allows for improved performance in multi-threaded applications.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a graphics card that’s better than a GTX 960, there are several options available. NVIDIA’s Pascal-based graphics cards, such as the GTX 1060 and GTX 1070, offer a significant performance boost over the GTX 960. Volta-based graphics cards, such as the GTX 1660 and RTX 2060, offer even more advanced features and performance. AMD’s Radeon RX 560 and RX 580 also offer competitive performance and features.
When choosing a graphics card, consider your budget, the type of games you play, and the features you need. With so many options available, it’s easier than ever to find a graphics card that meets your needs and provides an exceptional gaming experience.
Key Takeaways:
- The GTX 960’s limitations include its lack of VRAM and advanced features like DXR, VRS, and MFSAA.
- Pascal-based graphics cards, such as the GTX 1060 and GTX 1070, offer a significant performance boost over the GTX 960.
- Volta-based graphics cards, such as the GTX 1660 and RTX 2060, offer even more advanced features and performance.
- AMD’s Radeon RX 560 and RX 580 offer competitive performance and features.
- When choosing a graphics card, consider your budget, the type of games you play, and the features you need.
What is the GTX 960 and why is it considered a baseline for gaming performance?
The GTX 960 is a mid-range graphics card from NVIDIA, released in 2015. It was designed to provide a balance between performance and power consumption, making it a popular choice for gamers who want to play modern games at high settings without breaking the bank. The GTX 960 has been widely used as a baseline for gaming performance, as it can handle most modern games at 1080p resolution with medium to high graphics settings.
The GTX 960’s performance is considered a baseline because it sets a standard for what is considered “good enough” for gaming. Many gamers consider the GTX 960 to be the minimum requirement for playing modern games smoothly, and any graphics card that can outperform it is considered to be a significant upgrade. However, as games become more demanding and graphics quality continues to improve, the GTX 960 is no longer sufficient for 4K gaming or high-refresh-rate gaming.
What are the limitations of the GTX 960, and what kind of performance can I expect?
The GTX 960 has several limitations that prevent it from being capable of handling the most demanding games at the highest settings. One of its biggest limitations is its relatively low VRAM, which can lead to texture thrashing and decreased performance in games that use a lot of textures. Additionally, the GTX 960’s CUDA core count and clock speed are not as high as those of more modern graphics cards, which can limit its ability to handle complex graphics and high frame rates.
In terms of performance, the GTX 960 can handle most modern games at 1080p resolution with medium to high graphics settings. You can expect to get around 30-60 FPS in games like Overwatch, League of Legends, and Fortnite, but you may struggle to reach 60 FPS in more demanding games like The Witcher 3 or Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. If you want to play games at 1440p or 4K resolution, you’ll need a more powerful graphics card.
What are some alternatives to the GTX 960, and how do they compare in terms of performance?
There are several alternatives to the GTX 960, including the AMD Radeon R9 390, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, and the more modern GeForce GTX 1660. These graphics cards offer varying levels of performance, but they all outperform the GTX 960 in different ways. The AMD Radeon R9 390, for example, has more VRAM and a higher clock speed than the GTX 960, making it a good option for games that use a lot of textures.
The GeForce GTX 970, on the other hand, has a higher CUDA core count and a more modern architecture than the GTX 960, making it better suited for games that use a lot of complex graphics. The GeForce GTX 1660 is a more modern graphics card that offers even higher performance and more features than the GTX 960, including support for ray tracing and AI-enhanced graphics. Overall, these alternatives offer varying levels of performance, but they all outperform the GTX 960 in different ways.
How do I choose the right graphics card for my gaming needs?
Choosing the right graphics card for your gaming needs involves considering several factors, including your budget, the types of games you want to play, and the resolution and refresh rate you want to achieve. You should also consider the power supply unit (PSU) in your computer, as well as the PCIe slot and motherboard compatibility. If you want to play games at high refresh rates or high resolutions, you’ll need a more powerful graphics card with more VRAM and a higher clock speed.
It’s also important to research different graphics cards and read reviews to get a sense of their performance and features. You should also consider the warranty and customer support offered by the manufacturer, as well as any additional features like ray tracing, AI-enhanced graphics, or multi-monitor support. By considering these factors, you can choose a graphics card that meets your gaming needs and provides the best possible performance.
What are some upcoming trends in graphics card technology, and how will they impact gaming performance?
There are several upcoming trends in graphics card technology that will impact gaming performance in the near future. One of the biggest trends is the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in graphics cards, which will enable features like AI-enhanced graphics, ray tracing, and variable rate shading. These features will allow for more realistic graphics and improved performance in games that use them.
Another trend is the move towards more powerful and efficient GPUs that use less power and generate less heat. This will enable thinner and lighter laptops, as well as more compact desktop computers, that can still deliver high-end gaming performance. Additionally, we can expect to see more graphics cards with higher VRAM and higher clock speeds, as well as the adoption of new technologies like GDDR7 memory and PCIe 4.0. These trends will all contribute to improved gaming performance and more realistic graphics.
How will the shift to ray tracing and AI-enhanced graphics impact gaming performance and visuals?
The shift to ray tracing and AI-enhanced graphics will have a significant impact on gaming performance and visuals. Ray tracing, which is a more accurate way of rendering light and shadows, will enable more realistic graphics and improved performance in games that use it. AI-enhanced graphics, on the other hand, will enable features like dynamic resolution scaling, which can improve performance by reducing the resolution in areas of the screen where it’s not needed.
However, these features will also require more powerful graphics cards with more VRAM and higher clock speeds. This means that gamers who want to take advantage of these features will need to upgrade to more powerful graphics cards, which may be more expensive. Additionally, not all games will take advantage of these features, so it’s possible that some games may not look or perform significantly better with these technologies.
What are some tips for optimizing gaming performance on a budget?
One of the most important tips for optimizing gaming performance on a budget is to prioritize your spending. Instead of spending a lot of money on a high-end graphics card, consider spending more on a faster CPU or more RAM, which can also improve gaming performance. You should also consider buying a last-generation graphics card, which can often be had for a lower price than the latest and greatest model.
Another tip is to turn down the graphics settings in your games. While it may not be as fun to play with lower graphics settings, you can often improve performance by turning down the resolution, reducing the detail, or turning off unnecessary features like anti-aliasing. You can also consider overclocking your graphics card, which can improve performance by increasing the clock speed. Just be careful not to overdo it, as overclocking can also reduce the lifespan of your graphics card.