FirePro W9000 vs GeForce GTX 960

FirePro W9000

2012Core: 975 MHz

GeForce GTX 960

2015Core: 1127 MHzBoost: 1178 MHz

Performance Spectrum - GPU

FirePro W9000

274

6,157

+0.4%

Radeon HD8970M

Radeon RX 460 (móvel)

Radeon RX 560X (móvel)

6,133

0.0%

GeForce GTX 650 Ti BOOST

GeForce GTX 880M SLI

GeForce GTX 580

GeForce GTX 670

GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER

GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile

GeForce GTX 1080 Ti

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB

About G3D Mark

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. The FirePro W9000 is positioned at rank #317 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar FirePro W9000

#302

Tesla K20m

MSRP: $3199|Avg: $55

9593%

#317

FirePro W9000

MSRP: $3999|Avg: $150

100%

#318

GRID M60-4Q

MSRP: $2500|Avg: $120

99%

#319

Quadro K6000

MSRP: $5265|Avg: $300

99%

#320

FirePro V8800

MSRP: $1499|Avg: $100

99%

#321

NVS 510

MSRP: $449|Avg: $15

98%

#322

GRID M60-1Q

MSRP: $2500|Avg: $50

96%

#323

FirePro M2000

MSRP: $300|Avg: $50

92%

#324

GRID K280Q

MSRP: $2000|Avg: $50

92%

#325

Tesla K20c

MSRP: $3199|Avg: $500

90%

#326

GRID M6-1Q

MSRP: $1500|Avg: $100

90%

#327

Tesla C2050 / C2070

MSRP: $2499|Avg: $30

89%

#328

Quadro FX 380

MSRP: $129|Avg: $15

89%

#329

FirePro M7740

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

86%

#330

Quadro FX 570

MSRP: $199|Avg: $15

84%

#331

RTXA5000-24Q

MSRP: $3721|Avg: $2100

84%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The FirePro W9000 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.4% higher G3D Mark score and 50% more VRAM (6 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 960.

Insight	FirePro W9000	GeForce GTX 960
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+0.4%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.4%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+50%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	Standard Size (279mm)	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 960 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 960 holds the technical lead. Priced at $45 (vs $150), it costs 70% less, resulting in a 232% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	FirePro W9000	GeForce GTX 960
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+232%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($150)	✅More affordable ($45)

Performance Check

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

FirePro W9000 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 960 Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of FirePro W9000 and GeForce GTX 960

FirePro W9000

The FirePro W9000 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 14 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 975 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 274W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,157 points. Launch price was $3,999.

GeForce GTX 960

The GeForce GTX 960 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 22 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1127 MHz to 1178 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,133 points. Launch price was $199.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The FirePro W9000 scores 6,157 and the GeForce GTX 960 reaches 6,133 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The FirePro W9000 is built on GCN 1.0 while the GeForce GTX 960 uses Maxwell 2.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,048 (FirePro W9000) vs 1,024 (GeForce GTX 960). Raw compute: 3.994 TFLOPS (FirePro W9000) vs 2.413 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 960).

Feature	FirePro W9000	GeForce GTX 960
G3D Mark Score	6,157	6,133
Architecture	GCN 1.0	Maxwell 2.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2048+100%	1024
Compute (TFLOPS)	3.994 TFLOPS+66%	2.413 TFLOPS
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	128+100%	64
L1 Cache	512 KB+33%	384 KB
L2 Cache	0.75 MB	1 MB+33%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	FirePro W9000	GeForce GTX 960
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation	Not Supported	FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The FirePro W9000 comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 960 has 4 GB. The FirePro W9000 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 0.75 MB (FirePro W9000) vs 1 MB (GeForce GTX 960) — the GeForce GTX 960 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	FirePro W9000	GeForce GTX 960
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+50%	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Bus Width	256-bit+100%	128-bit
L2 Cache	0.75 MB	1 MB+33%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (FirePro W9000) vs 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 960). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 4.

Feature	FirePro W9000	GeForce GTX 960
DirectX	12	12 (12_1)
Vulkan	1.2	1.3+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	6+50%	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: VCE 1.0 (FirePro W9000) vs NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce GTX 960). Decoder: UVD 3.2 vs NVDEC (2nd Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (FirePro W9000) vs HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8 (GeForce GTX 960).

Feature	FirePro W9000	GeForce GTX 960
Encoder	VCE 1.0	NVENC (5th Gen)
Decoder	UVD 3.2	NVDEC (2nd Gen)
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2	HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The FirePro W9000 draws 274W versus the GeForce GTX 960's 100W — a 93% difference. The GeForce GTX 960 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (FirePro W9000) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 960). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 6-pin. Card length: 279mm vs 241mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 93°C vs 75 C.

Feature	FirePro W9000	GeForce GTX 960
TDP	274W	100W-64%
Recommended PSU	350W-13%	400W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	6-pin
Length	279mm	241mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	93°C	75 C-19%
Perf/Watt	22.5	61.3+172%

💰

Value Analysis

The FirePro W9000 launched at $3999 MSRP and currently averages $150, while the GeForce GTX 960 launched at $199 and now averages $45. The GeForce GTX 960 costs 70% less ($105 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 41.0 (FirePro W9000) vs 136.3 (GeForce GTX 960) — the GeForce GTX 960 offers 232.4% better value. The GeForce GTX 960 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2012).