GeForce GTX 770 vs GeForce GTX 960

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

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 960 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.9% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 770.

Insight	GeForce GTX 770	GeForce GTX 960
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.9%)	✅Leading raw performance (+2.9%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / Kepler (2012−2018))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	Standard Size (267mm)	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 770 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 770 holds the technical lead. Priced at $40 (vs $45), it costs 11% less, resulting in a 9.3% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 770	GeForce GTX 960
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+9.3%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($40)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($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.

GeForce GTX 770 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 960 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 770 and GeForce GTX 960

GeForce GTX 770

The GeForce GTX 770 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 30 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 1046 MHz to 1085 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 230W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,961 points. Launch price was $399.

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 GeForce GTX 770 scores 5,961 and the GeForce GTX 960 reaches 6,133 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 770 is built on Kepler while the GeForce GTX 960 uses Maxwell 2.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,536 (GeForce GTX 770) vs 1,024 (GeForce GTX 960). Raw compute: 3.333 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 770) vs 2.413 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 960). Boost clocks: 1085 MHz vs 1178 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 770	GeForce GTX 960
G3D Mark Score	5,961	6,133+3%
Architecture	Kepler	Maxwell 2.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1536+50%	1024
Compute (TFLOPS)	3.333 TFLOPS+38%	2.413 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1085 MHz	1178 MHz+9%
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	128+100%	64
L1 Cache	128 KB	384 KB+200%
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	1 MB+100%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 770	GeForce GTX 960
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)

Both cards feature 4 GB of GDDR5. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce GTX 770) vs 112 GB/s (GeForce GTX 960) — a 100% advantage for the GeForce GTX 770. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (GeForce GTX 770) vs 1 MB (GeForce GTX 960) — the GeForce GTX 960 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 770	GeForce GTX 960
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	224 GB/s+100%	112 GB/s
Bus Width	256-bit+100%	128-bit
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	1 MB+100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.0 (GeForce GTX 770) vs 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 960). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 770	GeForce GTX 960
DirectX	12.0	12 (12_1)
Vulkan	1.1	1.3+18%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st gen (GeForce GTX 770) vs NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce GTX 960). Decoder: PureVideo VP5 vs NVDEC (2nd Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce GTX 770) vs HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8 (GeForce GTX 960).

Feature	GeForce GTX 770	GeForce GTX 960
Encoder	NVENC 1st gen	NVENC (5th Gen)
Decoder	PureVideo VP5	NVDEC (2nd Gen)
Codecs	H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1	HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 770 draws 230W versus the GeForce GTX 960's 100W — a 78.8% difference. The GeForce GTX 960 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce GTX 770) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 960). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 241mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75 C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 770	GeForce GTX 960
TDP	230W	100W-57%
Recommended PSU	600W	400W-33%
Power Connector	6-pin + 8-pin	6-pin
Length	267mm	241mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	80°C	75 C-6%
Perf/Watt	25.9	61.3+137%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 770 launched at $399 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the GeForce GTX 960 launched at $199 and now averages $45. The GeForce GTX 770 costs 11.1% less ($5 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 149.0 (GeForce GTX 770) vs 136.3 (GeForce GTX 960) — the GeForce GTX 770 offers 9.3% better value. The GeForce GTX 960 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2013).