GeForce GTX 960 vs Arc A380
GeForce GTX 960
Popular choices:
Arc A380
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar Arc A380
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Arc A380 is significantly newer (2022 vs 2015). The Arc A380 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 960 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Arc A380 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.7% 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 | GeForce GTX 960 | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.7%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.7%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) | Generation 12.7 (2022−2023) (6nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+50%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 960 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $45 versus $119 for the Arc A380, it costs 62% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 157.4% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 960 | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+157.4%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($45) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($119) |
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.
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 960 and Arc A380
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.
Arc A380
The Arc A380 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in June 14 2022. It features the Generation 12.7 architecture. The core clock ranges from 2000 MHz to 2050 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 6 nm process technology. It features 8 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,301 points. Launch price was $149.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 960 scores 6,133 and the Arc A380 reaches 6,301 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 960 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the Arc A380 uses Generation 12.7, both on 28 nm vs 6 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce GTX 960) vs 1,024 (Arc A380). Raw compute: 2.413 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 960) vs 4.198 TFLOPS (Arc A380). Boost clocks: 1178 MHz vs 2050 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 6,133 | 6,301+3% |
| Architecture | Maxwell 2.0 | Generation 12.7 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 6 nm |
| Shading Units | 1024 | 1024 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.413 TFLOPS | 4.198 TFLOPS+74% |
| Boost Clock | 1178 MHz | 2050 MHz+74% |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 |
| TMUs | 64 | 64 |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 4 MB+300% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | XeSS |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 960 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Arc A380 has 6 GB. The Arc A380 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 112 GB/s (GeForce GTX 960) vs 186 GB/s (Arc A380) — a 66.1% advantage for the Arc A380. Bus width: 128-bit vs 96-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GTX 960) vs 4 MB (Arc A380) — the Arc A380 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 6 GB+50% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 112 GB/s | 186 GB/s+66% |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+33% | 96-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 4 MB+300% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 960) vs 12 Ultimate (Arc A380). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (12_1) | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce GTX 960) vs Xe Media Engine (Arc A380). Decoder: NVDEC (2nd Gen) vs Xe Media Engine. Supported codecs: HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8 (GeForce GTX 960) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (Arc A380).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC (5th Gen) | Xe Media Engine |
| Decoder | NVDEC (2nd Gen) | Xe Media Engine |
| Codecs | HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8 | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 960 draws 100W versus the Arc A380's 75W — a 28.6% difference. The Arc A380 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 960) vs 300W (Arc A380). Power connectors: 6-pin vs None. Card length: 241mm vs 190mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 C vs 59.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 100W | 75W-25% |
| Recommended PSU | 400W | 300W-25% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin | None |
| Length | 241mm | 190mm |
| Height | 111mm | 114mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75 C | 59-21% |
| Perf/Watt | 61.3 | 84.0+37% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 960 launched at $199 MSRP and currently averages $45, while the Arc A380 launched at $149 and now averages $119. The GeForce GTX 960 costs 62.2% less ($74 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 136.3 (GeForce GTX 960) vs 52.9 (Arc A380) — the GeForce GTX 960 offers 157.7% better value. The Arc A380 is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | Arc A380 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199 | $149-25% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $45-62% | $119 |
| Performance per Dollar | 136.3+158% | 52.9 |
| Codename | GM206 | DG2-128 |
| Release | January 22 2015 | June 14 2022 |
| Ranking | #393 | #384 |
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