GeForce GTX 870M vs GeForce GTX 960A

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.

GeForce GTX 870M vs GeForce GTX 960A FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce GTX 870M vs GeForce GTX 960A: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce GTX 870M

2014

Why buy it

✅24.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).

Trade-offs

❌2014 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 17.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌33.3% higher power demand at 100W vs 75W.

GeForce GTX 960A

2015

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 17.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Draws 75W instead of 100W, a 25W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 870M across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2015 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce GTX 870M is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 24.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 2% in PassMark G3D (3,536 vs 3,465), so the answer here is pretty clean.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce GTX 870M is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 6 GB vs 2 GB of VRAM. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce GTX 960A makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 960A is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce GTX 870M has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 870M vs GeForce GTX 960A Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

GeForce GTX 870M

The GeForce GTX 870M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 12 2014. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 941 MHz to 967 MHz. It has 1344 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,536 points.

GeForce GTX 960A

The GeForce GTX 960A is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1029 MHz to 1085 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,465 points.

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Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 870M scores 3,536 and the GeForce GTX 960A reaches 3,465 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 870M is built on Kepler while the GeForce GTX 960A uses Maxwell, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,344 (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 640 (GeForce GTX 960A). Raw compute: 2.599 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 1.389 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 960A). Boost clocks: 967 MHz vs 1085 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 870M	GeForce GTX 960A
G3D Mark Score	3,536+2%	3,465
Architecture	Kepler	Maxwell
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1344+110%	640
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.599 TFLOPS+87%	1.389 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	967 MHz	1085 MHz+12%
ROPs	24+50%	16
TMUs	112+180%	40
L1 Cache	112 KB	320 KB+186%
L2 Cache	0.38 MB	2 MB+426%

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 870M	GeForce GTX 960A
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 870M has 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 960A carries 2 GB. GeForce GTX 870M gives you 200% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce GTX 870M and 128-bit on the GeForce GTX 960A. L2 Cache: 0.38 MB (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 960A) — the GeForce GTX 960A has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 870M	GeForce GTX 960A
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+200%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit
L2 Cache	0.38 MB	2 MB+426%

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Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 960A). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 0.

Feature	GeForce GTX 870M	GeForce GTX 960A
DirectX	12 (11_0)	12
Max Displays	4	0

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Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 1st Gen NVENC (Kepler) (GeForce GTX 870M) vs NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 960A). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP5 vs NVDEC 1st Gen.

Feature	GeForce GTX 870M	GeForce GTX 960A
Encoder	1st Gen NVENC (Kepler)	NVENC 1st Gen
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP5	NVDEC 1st Gen
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2	—

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 870M draws 100W versus the GeForce GTX 960A's 75W — a 28.6% difference. The GeForce GTX 960A is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 960A). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 1x 6-pin.

Feature	GeForce GTX 870M	GeForce GTX 960A
TDP	100W	75W-25%
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	1x 6-pin
Length	—	1mm
Slots	0	0
Temp (Load)	85°C	—
Perf/Watt	35.4	46.2+31%

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Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce GTX 960A (2015 vs 2014).

Feature	GeForce GTX 870M	GeForce GTX 960A
MSRP	—	$199
Codename	GK104	GM107
Release	March 12 2014	March 13 2015
Ranking	#538	#546

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