GeForce GTX 960M vs GeForce GTX 590

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. The GeForce GTX 960M is positioned at rank #35 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Great cost-benefit for your build. 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 GeForce GTX 960M

#25

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

161%

#27

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

146%

#28

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

145%

#32

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

132%

#33

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

131%

#35

GeForce GTX 960M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

100%

#37

UHD Graphics 730 (Rocket Lake)

MSRP: $50|Avg: $50

98%

#46

Radeon RX 5500M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

88%

#48

GeForce GTX 980 (móvel)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

87%

#49

GeForce 610M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $20

87%

#50

GeForce GTX 1650 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $75

86%

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 960M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1% higher G3D Mark score and 33.3% more VRAM (4 GB vs 3 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 590.

Insight	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 590
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+1%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+33.3%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	—	—

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 960M offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 960M holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $100), it costs 50% less, resulting in a 102% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 590
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+102%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($50)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($100)

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 960M Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 590 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 960M and GeForce GTX 590

GeForce GTX 960M

The GeForce GTX 960M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1096 MHz to 1176 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,375 points.

GeForce GTX 590

The GeForce GTX 590 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 24 2011. It features the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 607 MHz. It has 1024 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 365W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,341 points. Launch price was $699.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 960M scores 3,375 and the GeForce GTX 590 reaches 3,341 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 960M is built on Maxwell while the GeForce GTX 590 uses Fermi 2.0, both on 28 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 640 (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 1,024 (GeForce GTX 590). Raw compute: 1.505 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 1.244 TFLOPS ×2 (GeForce GTX 590).

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 590
G3D Mark Score	3,375+1%	3,341
Architecture	Maxwell	Fermi 2.0
Process Node	28 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	640	1024 ×2+60%
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.505 TFLOPS+21%	1.244 TFLOPS ×2
ROPs	16	48 ×2+200%
TMUs	40	64 ×2+60%
L1 Cache	0.31 MB	1 MB+223%
L2 Cache	2 MB+167%	0.75 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 590
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)

The GeForce GTX 960M comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 590 has 3 GB. The GeForce GTX 960M offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 0.75 MB (GeForce GTX 590) — the GeForce GTX 960M has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 590
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+33%	3 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit	256-bit+100%
L2 Cache	2 MB+167%	0.75 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 590). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 590
DirectX	12 (11_0)	12 (11_0)
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Decoder: NVDEC (1st Gen) vs PureVideo HD (VP5). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,H.265 (GeForce GTX 960M) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 590).

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 590
Encoder	NVENC (4th Gen)	—
Decoder	NVDEC (1st Gen)	PureVideo HD (VP5)
Codecs	MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,H.265	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 960M draws 75W versus the GeForce GTX 590's 365W — a 131.8% difference. The GeForce GTX 960M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 700W (GeForce GTX 590). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 2x 8-pin. Typical load temperature: 82 vs 90°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 590
TDP	75W-79%	365W
Recommended PSU	350W-50%	700W
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	2x 8-pin
Length	0mm	—
Height	0mm	—
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	82-9%	90°C
Perf/Watt	45.0+389%	9.2

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 960M costs 50% less ($50 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 67.5 (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 33.4 (GeForce GTX 590) — the GeForce GTX 960M offers 102.1% better value. The GeForce GTX 960M is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2011).