The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 cards are here!
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 was announced this Thursday, and there is already a smorgasbord of cards from various add-in partners. Read on to check out their wares!
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 is powered by the new GM206 GPU. It’s based on the same Maxwell architecture behind the more powerful GTX 980 and GTX 970. However, this new GPU is targeted at the mass market graphics segment. Also, the add-in card partners have more leeway in customizing their offerings and the consumer is spoilt for shopping choices.
ASUS
ASUS Strix GeForce GTX 960 2GB GDDR5 (Image source: ASUS)
The ASUS Strix GeForce GTX 960 hails from the Strix graphics cards family, and it boasts of an overclocked clock speed of 1228MHz and a boost clock of 1291MHz. By using the latest version of the ASUS GPUTweak utility, the card can be automatically overclocked further to 1253MHz, with a boost clock speed of 1317MHz. The card features a 5-phase Super Alloy power delivery system that includes SAP CAPs installed at the rear of the GPU for more stable power delivery, especially during overclocking. It is available now for S$369.
Gigabyte
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 G1 Gaming 2GB GDDR5 (Image source: Gigabyte)
The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 G1 Gaming features the Windforce 3x cooling system with an updated “silent, semi-passive” fan profile. Officially, the GM206 chip has a relatively low TDP of 120W, so as long as its temperature is below a certain threshold. For Gigabyte, it’s, once the card’s operating temperature is below 43 degrees Celsius, the cooling fans will stop to minimise operating noise. The card features a 6-phase power delivery system, and it operates with a base clock of 1241MHz, and a boost clock speed of 1304MHz.
If you aren’t a fan of the oversized Windforce 3x cooling system, there are two more cards; the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 Windforce with its Windforce 2x cooling system, or the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 that measures only 170mm in length.
MSI
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G 2GB GDDR5 (Image source: MSI)
The MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G is rated to operate at 1216MHz and it can be boosted to 1279MHz. Its Twin Frozr V cooling system will keep the card running cool. In order to keep its svelte profile, the card doesn’t have a backplate, unlike the cards from ASUS and Gigabyte.
MSI GeForce GTX 960 OC Armor 2X 2GB GDDR5 (Image source: MSI)
The MSI GeForce GTX 960 OC Armor 2X sports a white fan shroud with the Armor 2X cooling system. There’s also a commemorative GTX 960 Gaming 100ME to mark the company's achievement of selling over 100 million NVIDIA graphics cards. From its specifications, it appears to be identical to the MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2G, with the exception of its lime green fan shroud.
GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 100ME (Image source: MSI)
EVGA
EVGA GeForce GTX 960 SuperSC ACX 2.0+ 2GB GDDR5 (Image source: EVGA)
In total, there are four GTX 960 cards listed on EVGA’s website. There are two available now are the EVGA GeForce GTX 960 SuperSC ACX 2.0+ and the EVGA GeForce GTX 960 ACX 2.0+.
EVGA GeForce GTX 960 ACX 2.0+ 2GB GDDR5 (Image source: EVGA)
Both are priced at US$209.99. They also features the updated ACX 2.0+ cooler with its Memory/MOSFET Cooling Plate (MMCP) that is touted to reduce the operating temperatures of its onboard MOSFETs by up to 11 degrees Celsius. A pair of double ball- bearing, cooling fans with new Swept fan blades drive airflow over its finstack with optimized straight heat pipes (SHP).
Palit
Palit GeForce GTX 960 Super JetStream 2GB GDDR5 (Image source: ASUS)
The Palit GeForce GTX 960 Super JetStream and GTX 960 JetStream will put you in the mood for the coming Lunar New Year, due to the JetStream cooler’s bright red fan shroud. Apart from the color, it appears to be the same as the one found in the GTX 980 and GTX 970 cards. The GeForce GTX 960 Super JetStream has a base clock speed of 1279MHz, and a boost clock of 1342MHz. Even its 2GB of GDDR5 memory modules have been overclocked to 7200MHz, up about 3% from the default speed of 7010MHz. The JetStream cooler now sports a fan profile that is known as 0-dB Tech that will stop the cooling fans for quiet operation.
GeForce GTX 960 JetStream 2GB GDDR5 (Image source: Palit)
The GeForce GTX 960 JetStream is essentially the same card, with lower operating clock speeds. If you are a fan of the blower style cooler, the even more modestly overclocked GeForce GTX 960 is right down your alley.
GeForce GTX 960 2GB GDDR5 (Image source: Palit)
Zotac
TheMGS-themed backplate of the Zotac GeForce GTX 960 AMP! Edition 2GB GDDR5 (Image source: Zotac)
Zotac has a Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes game bundle with its Zotac GeForce GTX 960 and Zotac GeForce GTX 960 AMP! Edition cards. They also offer them sans game bundle; the Zotac GeForce GTX 960 AMP! Edition will definitely appeal to fans of the long-running MGS series with its specially designed backplate.
Zotac GeForce GTX 960 AMP! Edition 2GB GDDR5 (Image source: Zotac)
Alas, the Zotac GeForce GTX 960 doesn’t have this unique backplate but it will come with the promotional code to get your copy of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes. Slightly overclocked, it operates at 1177MHz, with a boost clock speed of 1240MHz. For a more aggressive performance profile, the Zotac GeForce GTX 960 AMP! Edition is rated with a base clock of 1266MHz, and a boost clock of 1329MHz.
Zotac GeForce GTX 960 2GB GDDR5 card with the MGS game giveaway bundle (Image source: Zotac)
(Source: ASUS, EVGA, Gigabyte, MSI, Palit, Zotac)
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