GeForce GTX 970M SLI
VS
GeForce GTX 950

GeForce GTX 970M SLI vs GeForce GTX 950

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 970M SLI

2014Core: 924 MHzBoost: 1038 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 950

2015Core: 1024 MHzBoost: 1188 MHz

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.

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 970M SLI

#122
Radeon RX 550X (móvel)
MSRP: $35|Avg: $35
296%
#124
268%
#125
268%
#129
GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50
243%
#130
Radeon RX 6300
MSRP: $60|Avg: $40
242%
#132
GeForce GTX 970M SLI
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#139
Iris Xe MAX Graphics
MSRP: $55|Avg: $40
98%
#145
Radeon RX 580 (móvel)
MSRP: $229|Avg: $65
95%
#147
GeForce GT 630M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $35
95%
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 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.

InsightGeForce GTX 970M SLIGeForce 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

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

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.

FeatureGeForce GTX 970M SLIGeForce 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)

FeatureGeForce GTX 970M SLIGeForce 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.

FeatureGeForce GTX 970M SLIGeForce 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.

FeatureGeForce GTX 970M SLIGeForce 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).

FeatureGeForce GTX 970M SLIGeForce 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.

FeatureGeForce GTX 970M SLIGeForce 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).

FeatureGeForce GTX 970M SLIGeForce GTX 950
MSRP
$159
Avg Price (30d)
$48
Codename
GM206
Release
October 7 2014
August 20 2015
Ranking
#284
#425