GeForce GTX 960M vs GeForce GTX 960A

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. The GeForce GTX 960M is positioned at rank 35 and the GeForce GTX 960A is on rank 270, so the GeForce GTX 960M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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 GeForce GTX 960A

#260

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

624%

#262

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

565%

#263

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

564%

#267

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

513%

#268

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

509%

#270

GeForce GTX 960A

MSRP: $199|Avg: $60

100%

#271

Radeon HD 8770

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

100%

#273

Radeon R9 M295X

MSRP: $300|Avg: $150

99%

#274

GeForce GT 325M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $20

98%

#275

GeForce GTS 160M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $30

98%

#276

GeForce GTX 470M SLI

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $60

97%

#277

Radeon Vega 8 Ryzen 3 3200G

MSRP: $99|Avg: $70

97%

#279

Radeon RX Vega 9

MSRP: $99|Avg: $50

96%

#282

Iris Xe Graphics G7

MSRP: $200|Avg: $100

95%

#283

Radeon R9 M395

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

94%

#285

GeForce GT 755M SLI

MSRP: $200|Avg: $50

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 960A is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.7% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 960M offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

Insight	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 960A
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.7%)	✅Leading raw performance (+2.7%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+100%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	—	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 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 $60), it costs 17% less, resulting in a 16.9% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 960A
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+16.9%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($50)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($60)

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 960A Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

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

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 960A

The GeForce GTX 960A is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1029 MHz to 1085 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,465 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 960M scores 3,375 and the GeForce GTX 960A reaches 3,465 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 960M is built on Maxwell while the GeForce GTX 960A uses Maxwell, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 640 (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 640 (GeForce GTX 960A). Raw compute: 1.505 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 1.389 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 960A). Boost clocks: 1176 MHz vs 1085 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 960A
G3D Mark Score	3,375	3,465+3%
Architecture	Maxwell	Maxwell
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	640	640
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.505 TFLOPS+8%	1.389 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1176 MHz+8%	1085 MHz
ROPs	16	16
TMUs	40	40
L1 Cache	320 KB	320 KB
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 960A
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 960A has 2 GB. The GeForce GTX 960M offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 960A
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+100%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 960A). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 0.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 960A
DirectX	12 (11_0)	12
Max Displays	4	0

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (4th Gen) (GeForce GTX 960M) vs NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 960A). Decoder: NVDEC (1st Gen) vs NVDEC 1st Gen.

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

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 960M draws 75W versus the GeForce GTX 960A's 75W — a 0% difference. The GeForce GTX 960A is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 960A). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 1mm, occupying 0 vs 0 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 960M	GeForce GTX 960A
TDP	75W	75W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	1x 6-pin
Length	0mm	1mm
Height	0mm	—
Slots	0	0
Temp (Load)	82	—
Perf/Watt	45.0	46.2+3%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 960M costs 16.7% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 67.5 (GeForce GTX 960M) vs 57.8 (GeForce GTX 960A) — the GeForce GTX 960M offers 16.8% better value.