GeForce GTX 960 vs RTX A500 Embedded GPU
GeForce GTX 960
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RTX A500 Embedded GPU
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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 RTX A500 Embedded GPU
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The RTX A500 Embedded GPU is significantly newer (2022 vs 2015). The RTX A500 Embedded GPU 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 RTX A500 Embedded GPU is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1% higher G3D Mark score. 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 | RTX A500 Embedded GPU |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the RTX A500 Embedded GPU remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 960 and RTX A500 Embedded GPU
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.
RTX A500 Embedded GPU
The RTX A500 Embedded GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 30 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 435 MHz to 1335 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 20W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 16 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,197 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 960 scores 6,133 and the RTX A500 Embedded GPU reaches 6,197 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 960 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the RTX A500 Embedded GPU uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce GTX 960) vs 2,048 (RTX A500 Embedded GPU). Raw compute: 2.413 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 960) vs 5.468 TFLOPS (RTX A500 Embedded GPU). Boost clocks: 1178 MHz vs 1335 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | RTX A500 Embedded GPU |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 6,133 | 6,197+1% |
| Architecture | Maxwell 2.0 | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 1024 | 2048+100% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.413 TFLOPS | 5.468 TFLOPS+127% |
| Boost Clock | 1178 MHz | 1335 MHz+13% |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 |
| TMUs | 64 | 64 |
| L1 Cache | 0.38 MB | 2 MB+426% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | RTX A500 Embedded GPU |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 4 GB of video memory. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GTX 960) vs 2 MB (RTX A500 Embedded GPU) — the RTX A500 Embedded GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | RTX A500 Embedded GPU |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 960) vs 12_2 (RTX A500 Embedded GPU). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 0.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | RTX A500 Embedded GPU |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (12_1) | 12_2 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 0 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce GTX 960) vs NVENC 7th Gen (RTX A500 Embedded GPU). Decoder: NVDEC (2nd Gen) vs NVDEC 5th Gen.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | RTX A500 Embedded GPU |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC (5th Gen) | NVENC 7th Gen |
| Decoder | NVDEC (2nd Gen) | NVDEC 5th Gen |
| Codecs | HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8 | — |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 960 draws 100W versus the RTX A500 Embedded GPU's 20W — a 133.3% difference. The RTX A500 Embedded GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 960) vs 350W (RTX A500 Embedded GPU). Power connectors: 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 241mm vs 82mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | RTX A500 Embedded GPU |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 100W | 20W-80% |
| Recommended PSU | 400W | 350W-13% |
| Power Connector | 6-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 241mm | 82mm |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 75 C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 61.3 | 309.9+406% |
Value Analysis
The RTX A500 Embedded GPU is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | RTX A500 Embedded GPU |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $45 | — |
| Codename | GM206 | GA107S |
| Release | January 22 2015 | March 30 2022 |
| Ranking | #393 | #389 |
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