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.

Overview

The GeForce GTX 970 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 19 2014. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1050 MHz to 1178 MHz. It has 1664 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,640 points. Launch price was $329.

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for GeForce GTX 970 across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 7800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of GeForce GTX 970 specifications and capabilities.

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Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 970 scores 9,640 in the G3D Mark benchmark (the standard measure of rasterization GPU performance), placing it in the Mid-Range tier as a Legacy generation graphics card. It is built on the Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019) architecture (codename: GM204), manufactured on a 28 nm process— smaller process nodes improve power efficiency and transistor density. It packs 1664 shader units (the primary compute units for rendering pixels), 104 TMUs (texture mapping units), and 56 ROPs (render output units that handle final pixel output). Raw FP32 compute power: 3.92 TFLOPS — this measures the theoretical peak floating-point performance. Boost clock reaches 1178 MHz from a base of 1050 MHz.

Specification	GeForce GTX 970
G3D MarkPassMark 3D graphics benchmark score	9,640
ArchitectureGPU microarchitecture generation	Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)
CodenameInternal GPU die codename	GM204
Manufacturing ProcessFabrication node — smaller = more efficient	28 nm
Shader UnitsCore compute units for rendering/compute	1664
TMUsTexture Mapping Units — handle texture sampling	104
ROPsRender Output Units — final pixel/color blending	56
Boost ClockMaximum GPU frequency under load	1178 MHz
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum GPU frequency	1050 MHz
Compute (FP32)Peak single-precision floating-point performance	3.92 TFLOPS
Texture Fill RateTextures processed per second	122.5 GTexel/s
PCIe InterfaceCPU↔GPU data link generation	PCIe 3.0 x16
Transistor Count	5,200 million
Performance RankPosition in global GPU performance ranking	#269

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 970 is equipped with 4 GB of GDDR5 video memory connected via a 256-bit memory bus, delivering 224 GB/s of bandwidth. Memory operates at 8 Gbps effective speed.

Specification	GeForce GTX 970
VRAM SizeVideo memory capacity — more = better for high-res textures	4 GB
VRAM TypeMemory technology generation	GDDR5
Memory BusWidth of data path — wider = more bandwidth	256-bit
Memory SpeedEffective memory data rate	8 Gbps
BandwidthMaximum data throughput between GPU and VRAM	224 GB/s
L1 Cache	624 kB
L2 Cache	2 MB

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Advanced Features & APIs

Graphics API support: DirectX 12 (FL 12_1), Vulkan 1.3, OpenGL 4.6— latest API versions enable the most advanced rendering features like ray tracing and mesh shaders.

Specification	GeForce GTX 970
NVIDIA Reflex	❌ Not Supported
DLSS Frame Generation	❌ Not Supported
DLSS Super Resolution	❌ Not Supported
DirectXMicrosoft graphics API version	12 (FL 12_1)
VulkanCross-platform graphics API	1.3
OpenGLLegacy graphics API	4.6
Compute APIGPGPU framework (CUDA/ROCm/OpenCL)	CUDA 5.2

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Display & Media

Display outputs: 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0, 3x DisplayPort 1.2 — supports up to 4 simultaneous displays. Hardware encoder: NVENC 2nd gen, decoder: PureVideo VP6— dedicated hardware for video encoding/decoding accelerates streaming, recording, and video playback. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC.

Specification	GeForce GTX 970
DVI PortsNumber of DVI display connectors	1x
HDMI 2.0 PortsNumber of HDMI 2.0 display connectors	1x
DisplayPort 1.2 PortsNumber of DisplayPort 1.2 display connectors	3x
Max DisplaysMaximum simultaneously connected monitors	4
Hardware EncoderVideo encoding engine version	NVENC 2nd gen
Hardware DecoderVideo decoding engine version	PureVideo VP6
CodecsSupported video compression formats	H.264,H.265/HEVC

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 970 draws 148 Watt under load (TDP) — a 500W PSU minimum is recommended. Power connector: 2x 6-pin. Physical size: 267mm long, 111mm tall, occupying 2 expansion slots, weighing 845g— verify your case has clearance before purchasing. Typical temperatures: 80°C under load.

Specification	GeForce GTX 970
TDPPower consumption under load	148 Watt
Recommended PSUMinimum power supply wattage	500W
Power ConnectorRequired PCIe power cable type	2x 6-pin
Card LengthGPU card length — check case clearance	267mm
Card Height	111mm
Slot WidthExpansion slots occupied	2-slot
Weight	845g
Load TemperatureTypical temperature under gaming load	80°C

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Value Analysis

At an average price of $50 (MSRP: $329), the GeForce GTX 970 delivers 193 G3D Mark points per dollar. Overall performance ranking position: #269 among all indexed GPUs.

Specification	GeForce GTX 970
MSRPManufacturer's Suggested Retail Price	$329
Avg Price (30d)Average market price over the last 30 days	$50
Performance RankPosition in global GPU performance ranking	#269
Release Date	September 19 2014
Release Year	2014