GeForce GTX 960 vs GeForce GTX 770

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

💎 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 960	GeForce GTX 770
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+9.3%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($45)	✅More affordable ($40)

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

GeForce GTX 770 Benchmark Check

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Technical Specifications

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

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.

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.

⚡

Graphics Performance

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

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

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

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

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

🖥️

Display & API Support

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

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

🎬

Media & Encoding

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

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

🔌

Power & Dimensions

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

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

💰

Value Analysis

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