GeForce GTX 960 vs FirePro W9000

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 FirePro W9000

#302

Tesla K20m

MSRP: $3199|Avg: $55

9593%

#317

FirePro W9000

MSRP: $3999|Avg: $150

100%

#318

GRID M60-4Q

MSRP: $2500|Avg: $120

99%

#319

Quadro K6000

MSRP: $5265|Avg: $300

99%

#320

FirePro V8800

MSRP: $1499|Avg: $100

99%

#321

NVS 510

MSRP: $449|Avg: $15

98%

#322

GRID M60-1Q

MSRP: $2500|Avg: $50

96%

#323

FirePro M2000

MSRP: $300|Avg: $50

92%

#324

GRID K280Q

MSRP: $2000|Avg: $50

92%

#325

Tesla K20c

MSRP: $3199|Avg: $500

90%

#326

GRID M6-1Q

MSRP: $1500|Avg: $100

90%

#327

Tesla C2050 / C2070

MSRP: $2499|Avg: $30

89%

#328

Quadro FX 380

MSRP: $129|Avg: $15

89%

#329

FirePro M7740

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

86%

#330

Quadro FX 570

MSRP: $199|Avg: $15

84%

#331

RTXA5000-24Q

MSRP: $3721|Avg: $2100

84%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The FirePro W9000 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.4% 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	FirePro W9000
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.4%)	✅Leading raw performance (+0.4%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+50%)
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	Standard Size (279mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 960 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 960 holds the technical lead. Priced at $45 (vs $150), it costs 70% less, resulting in a 232% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 960	FirePro W9000
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+232%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($45)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($150)

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 960 Benchmark Check

FirePro W9000 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 960 and FirePro W9000

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.

FirePro W9000

The FirePro W9000 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 14 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 975 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 274W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,157 points. Launch price was $3,999.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 960 scores 6,133 and the FirePro W9000 reaches 6,157 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 960 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the FirePro W9000 uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce GTX 960) vs 2,048 (FirePro W9000). Raw compute: 2.413 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 960) vs 3.994 TFLOPS (FirePro W9000).

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	FirePro W9000
G3D Mark Score	6,133	6,157
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	GCN 1.0
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1024	2048+100%
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.413 TFLOPS	3.994 TFLOPS+66%
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	64	128+100%
L1 Cache	384 KB	512 KB+33%
L2 Cache	1 MB+33%	0.75 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	FirePro W9000
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 960 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the FirePro W9000 has 6 GB. The FirePro W9000 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GTX 960) vs 0.75 MB (FirePro W9000) — the GeForce GTX 960 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	FirePro W9000
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	6 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Bus Width	128-bit	256-bit+100%
L2 Cache	1 MB+33%	0.75 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 960) vs 12 (FirePro W9000). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 6.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	FirePro W9000
DirectX	12 (12_1)	12
Vulkan	1.3+8%	1.2
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	6+50%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce GTX 960) vs VCE 1.0 (FirePro W9000). Decoder: NVDEC (2nd Gen) vs UVD 3.2. Supported codecs: HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8 (GeForce GTX 960) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (FirePro W9000).

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	FirePro W9000
Encoder	NVENC (5th Gen)	VCE 1.0
Decoder	NVDEC (2nd Gen)	UVD 3.2
Codecs	HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 960 draws 100W versus the FirePro W9000's 274W — a 93% difference. The GeForce GTX 960 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 960) vs 350W (FirePro W9000). Power connectors: 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 241mm vs 279mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 C vs 93°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960	FirePro W9000
TDP	100W-64%	274W
Recommended PSU	400W	350W-13%
Power Connector	6-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	241mm	279mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75 C-19%	93°C
Perf/Watt	61.3+172%	22.5

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 960 launched at $199 MSRP and currently averages $45, while the FirePro W9000 launched at $3999 and now averages $150. The GeForce GTX 960 costs 70% less ($105 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 136.3 (GeForce GTX 960) vs 41.0 (FirePro W9000) — the GeForce GTX 960 offers 232.4% better value. The GeForce GTX 960 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2012).