GeForce GTX 950 vs GeForce GTX 970M SLI

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 950 vs GeForce GTX 970M SLI 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 950 vs GeForce GTX 970M SLI: 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 950

2015

Why buy it

✅4.4% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 33.7 vs 0 G3D/$ ($159 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Draws 90W instead of 162W, a 72W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 4 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.

GeForce GTX 970M SLI

2014

Why buy it

✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 2 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 950 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌2014 hardware with 4 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 33.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $159 MSRP).
❌80% higher power demand at 162W vs 90W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce GTX 950 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 4.4% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce GTX 970M SLI instead at 5,500 vs 5,357, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.

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

GeForce GTX 950 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a newer 2015 generation instead of 2014. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce GTX 950 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce GTX 950 vs GeForce GTX 970M SLI Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 950

The GeForce GTX 950 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 20 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1024 MHz to 1188 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 90W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,357 points. Launch price was $159.

GeForce GTX 970M SLI

The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 7 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 924 MHz to 1038 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 162W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,500 points.

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Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 950 scores 5,357 and the GeForce GTX 970M SLI reaches 5,500 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 950 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce GTX 970M SLI uses Maxwell, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 768 (GeForce GTX 950) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 970M SLI). Boost clocks: 1188 MHz vs 1038 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 950	GeForce GTX 970M SLI
G3D Mark Score	5,357	5,500+3%
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Maxwell
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	768	2560+233%
Boost Clock	1188 MHz+14%	1038 MHz

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 950	GeForce GTX 970M SLI
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 950 has 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 970M SLI carries 4 GB. GeForce GTX 970M SLI gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 106 GB/s (GeForce GTX 950) vs 120 GB/s x2 (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) — a 1034% advantage for the GeForce GTX 970M SLI. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce GTX 950 and 192-bit x2 on the GeForce GTX 970M SLI.

Feature	GeForce GTX 950	GeForce GTX 970M SLI
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	4 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	106 GB/s	120 GB/s x2+13%
Bus Width	128-bit	192-bit x2+50%

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Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12_1 (GeForce GTX 950) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce GTX 970M SLI). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 950	GeForce GTX 970M SLI
DirectX	12_1	12 Ultimate
Max Displays	4	4

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Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 2nd Gen (GeForce GTX 950) vs NVENC (GeForce GTX 970M SLI). Decoder: NVDEC 2nd Gen vs PureVideo HD (VP6). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265 (GeForce GTX 950) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 970M SLI).

Feature	GeForce GTX 950	GeForce GTX 970M SLI
Encoder	NVENC 2nd Gen	NVENC
Decoder	NVDEC 2nd Gen	PureVideo HD (VP6)
Codecs	H.264,H.265	H.264,H.265/HEVC

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 950 draws 90W versus the GeForce GTX 970M SLI's 162W — a 57.1% difference. The GeForce GTX 950 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 950) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 970M SLI). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 202mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 950	GeForce GTX 970M SLI
TDP	90W-44%	162W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	1x 6-pin
Length	202mm	0mm
Height	—	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	—	80°C
Perf/Watt	59.5+75%	34.0

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Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce GTX 950 (2015 vs 2014).

Feature	GeForce GTX 950	GeForce GTX 970M SLI
MSRP	$159	—
Codename	GM206	—
Release	August 20 2015	October 7 2014
Ranking	#425	#284

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