GeForce GTX 590 vs GeForce GTX 960M

GeForce GTX 590

2011Core: 607 MHz

GeForce GTX 960M

2015Core: 1096 MHzBoost: 1176 MHz

Performance Spectrum - GPU

GeForce GTX 590

365

3,341

0.0%

GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU

GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER

GeForce RTX 5060

GeForce GTX 960M

3,375

+1.0%

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU

GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER

GeForce RTX 5060

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. 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

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 960M

#25

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

161%

#27

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

146%

#28

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

145%

#32

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

132%

#33

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

131%

#35

GeForce GTX 960M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

100%

#37

UHD Graphics 730 (Rocket Lake)

MSRP: $50|Avg: $50

98%

#46

Radeon RX 5500M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

88%

#48

GeForce GTX 980 (móvel)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

87%

#49

GeForce 610M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $20

87%

#50

GeForce GTX 1650 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $75

86%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 960M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1% higher G3D Mark score and 33.3% more VRAM (4 GB vs 3 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 590.

Insight	GeForce GTX 590	GeForce GTX 960M
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1%)	✅Leading raw performance (+1%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+33.3%)
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	—	—

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 960M offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 960M holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $100), it costs 50% less, resulting in a 102% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 590	GeForce GTX 960M
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+102%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($100)	✅More affordable ($50)

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.

GeForce GTX 590 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 960M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 590 and GeForce GTX 960M

GeForce GTX 590

The GeForce GTX 590 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 24 2011. It features the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 607 MHz. It has 1024 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 365W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,341 points. Launch price was $699.

GeForce GTX 960M

The GeForce GTX 960M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1096 MHz to 1176 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,375 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 590 scores 3,341 and the GeForce GTX 960M reaches 3,375 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 590 is built on Fermi 2.0 while the GeForce GTX 960M uses Maxwell, both on 40 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce GTX 590) vs 640 (GeForce GTX 960M). Raw compute: 1.244 TFLOPS ×2 (GeForce GTX 590) vs 1.505 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 960M).

Feature	GeForce GTX 590	GeForce GTX 960M
G3D Mark Score	3,341	3,375+1%
Architecture	Fermi 2.0	Maxwell
Process Node	40 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1024 ×2+60%	640
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.244 TFLOPS ×2	1.505 TFLOPS+21%
ROPs	48 ×2+200%	16
TMUs	64 ×2+60%	40
L1 Cache	1 MB+223%	0.31 MB
L2 Cache	0.75 MB	2 MB+167%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 590	GeForce GTX 960M
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 590 comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 960M has 4 GB. The GeForce GTX 960M offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 0.75 MB (GeForce GTX 590) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 960M) — the GeForce GTX 960M has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 590	GeForce GTX 960M
VRAM Capacity	3 GB	4 GB+33%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	256-bit+100%	128-bit
L2 Cache	0.75 MB	2 MB+167%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 590) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 960M). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 590	GeForce GTX 960M
DirectX	12 (11_0)	12 (11_0)
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP5) vs NVDEC (1st Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 590) vs MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,H.265 (GeForce GTX 960M).

Feature	GeForce GTX 590	GeForce GTX 960M
Encoder	—	NVENC (4th Gen)
Decoder	PureVideo HD (VP5)	NVDEC (1st Gen)
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2	MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,H.265

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 590 draws 365W versus the GeForce GTX 960M's 75W — a 131.8% difference. The GeForce GTX 960M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 700W (GeForce GTX 590) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 960M). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs 1x 6-pin. Typical load temperature: 90°C vs 82.

Feature	GeForce GTX 590	GeForce GTX 960M
TDP	365W	75W-79%
Recommended PSU	700W	350W-50%
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	1x 6-pin
Length	—	0mm
Height	—	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	90°C	82-9%
Perf/Watt	9.2	45.0+389%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 960M costs 50% less ($50 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 33.4 (GeForce GTX 590) vs 67.5 (GeForce GTX 960M) — the GeForce GTX 960M offers 102.1% better value. The GeForce GTX 960M is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2011).