
GeForce GTX 970M SLI vs GeForce GTX 950

GeForce GTX 970M SLI
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GeForce GTX 950
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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. The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is positioned at rank #132 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. 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 GeForce GTX 970M SLI
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.7% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (4 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 950.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 970M SLI | GeForce GTX 950 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.7%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.7%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce GTX 970M SLI 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 970M SLI and GeForce GTX 950

GeForce GTX 970M SLI
The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 7 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 924 MHz to 1038 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 162W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,500 points.

GeForce GTX 950
The GeForce GTX 950 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 20 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1024 MHz to 1188 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 90W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,357 points. Launch price was $159.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 970M SLI scores 5,500 and the GeForce GTX 950 reaches 5,357 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 970M SLI is built on Maxwell while the GeForce GTX 950 uses Maxwell 2.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs 768 (GeForce GTX 950). Boost clocks: 1038 MHz vs 1188 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970M SLI | GeForce GTX 950 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 5,500+3% | 5,357 |
| Architecture | Maxwell | Maxwell 2.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560+233% | 768 |
| Boost Clock | 1038 MHz | 1188 MHz+14% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970M SLI | GeForce GTX 950 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 970M SLI comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 950 has 2 GB. The GeForce GTX 970M SLI offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 120 GB/s x2 (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs 106 GB/s (GeForce GTX 950) — a 1034% advantage for the GeForce GTX 970M SLI. Bus width: 192-bit x2 vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970M SLI | GeForce GTX 950 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB+100% | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 120 GB/s x2+13% | 106 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 192-bit x2+50% | 128-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs 12_1 (GeForce GTX 950). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970M SLI | GeForce GTX 950 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12_1 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs NVENC 2nd Gen (GeForce GTX 950). Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP6) vs NVDEC 2nd Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs H.264,H.265 (GeForce GTX 950).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970M SLI | GeForce GTX 950 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC | NVENC 2nd Gen |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD (VP6) | NVDEC 2nd Gen |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC | H.264,H.265 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 970M SLI draws 162W versus the GeForce GTX 950's 90W — a 57.1% difference. The GeForce GTX 950 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 970M SLI) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 950). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 202mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970M SLI | GeForce GTX 950 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 162W | 90W-44% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | 0mm | 202mm |
| Height | 0mm | — |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 34.0 | 59.5+75% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 950 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970M SLI | GeForce GTX 950 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $159 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $48 |
| Codename | — | GM206 |
| Release | October 7 2014 | August 20 2015 |
| Ranking | #284 | #425 |
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