GTX 960 review compilation thread
Moderators: NeilBlanchard, Ralf Hutter, sthayashi, Lawrence Lee
GTX 960 review compilation thread
In brief: high end 1080p / low 1440p card, 125W TDP. HDMI 2.0 supported for 1440p/60Hz, Display Port 1.2. H.265 hardware acceleration. Requires one PCIe Graphics power connector. Some designs use one 6-pin and some use one 8-pin. Performance is between the GTX 760 and GTX 770 and similar to R9 285. $200-220 intro price. Dimensions stated as: a" x b" x c" are from mfgr websites - others are from reviews.
SPCR tests the Asus GTX 960 STRIX
Nvidia reference design @ The Tech Report (plus roundup power and temp data)
Roundups:
Tom's Hardware
Hardwareluxx
Computer Base
Expanded roundup at Computer Base
Hardware Info
Reviews with acoustic testing:
Asus GTX 960 STRIX OC 2GB (8.47" x 4.77" x 1.61"), 6-pin, passive idle):
Techpowerup
Guru3D (includes SLI data)
KitGuru
Hexus
Ocaholic
Tom's Hardware
Tech Report
Computer Base
Computer Base
Hardwareluxx
Hardware Info
MSI GTX 960 Gaming OC 2GB (10.51" x 5.47 x 1.42", 8-pin, passive idle):
Techpowerup
Guru3D
HT4U
Hardwareluxx
Tech Report
Computer Base
Computer Base
Hardware Info
Kitguru
EVGA GTX 960 SSC 2GB (10.1" x 4.38" x ??, 8-pin, passive idle - also has dual bios switch for active idle):
Techpowerup
Tom's Hardware
Hardwareluxx
Tech Report
Computer Base
Computer Base
Hardware Info
Hardwareluxx - 4GB model
Gigabyte GTX 960 G1 Gaming 2GB (11.25-11.73" length, 4.45" height, dual 6-pin, passive idle, 3 DP 1.2(eDP 1.4), 1 HDMI 2.0, 2 DVI:
Guru3D
Kitguru
Ocaholic
Tom's Hardware
Tech Report
Hexus
Hardware Info
Guru 3D 4GB (has one 6- and one 8-pin PEG connector)
Gigabyte GTX 960 Windforce OC 2GB (9.69-10" length, 4.17" height, dual 6-pin, passive idle):
Tom's Hardware
Tech Report
Guru3D
KFA2/Galaxy GTX 960 EX OC 2GB (10.67" x 4.89" x 1.63", 8-pin, passive idle):
Guru3D
Tom's Hardware
Hexus
Gainward GTX 960 Phantom OC 2GB (9.72" x 4.41" x ? (2.5 slot), 6-pin, active idle):
Tom's Hardware
Computer Base
Inno3D GTX 960 iChill 2GB (11.81" x 4.37" x "3-slot", dual 6-pin, passive idle):
Tom's Hardware
Hardwareluxx
Hardware Info
Inno3D GTX 960 X3 Air Boss 2GB (12"L , "3 slot", dual 6-pin, passive idle):
Computer Base
KitGuru
Palit GTX 960 Super Jetstream 2GB (9.72" x 4.96" x "2.5-slot", two 6-pin, passive idle):
Tom's Hardware
Techpowerup
Hexus
Hardwareluxx
Computer Base
Computer Base
Guru3D
Kitguru
Palit GTX 960 OC 2GB (9.65", "2-slot" reference design, 6-pin, 1 fan active idle):
Computer Base
Zotac GTX 960 Amp! Edition 2GB (7.76" length, 4.49" height, 6-pin, passive idle):
Hardwareluxx
Computer Base
Hardware Info
SPCR tests the Asus GTX 960 STRIX
Nvidia reference design @ The Tech Report (plus roundup power and temp data)
Roundups:
Tom's Hardware
Hardwareluxx
Computer Base
Expanded roundup at Computer Base
Hardware Info
Reviews with acoustic testing:
Asus GTX 960 STRIX OC 2GB (8.47" x 4.77" x 1.61"), 6-pin, passive idle):
Techpowerup
Guru3D (includes SLI data)
KitGuru
Hexus
Ocaholic
Tom's Hardware
Tech Report
Computer Base
Computer Base
Hardwareluxx
Hardware Info
MSI GTX 960 Gaming OC 2GB (10.51" x 5.47 x 1.42", 8-pin, passive idle):
Techpowerup
Guru3D
HT4U
Hardwareluxx
Tech Report
Computer Base
Computer Base
Hardware Info
Kitguru
EVGA GTX 960 SSC 2GB (10.1" x 4.38" x ??, 8-pin, passive idle - also has dual bios switch for active idle):
Techpowerup
Tom's Hardware
Hardwareluxx
Tech Report
Computer Base
Computer Base
Hardware Info
Hardwareluxx - 4GB model
Gigabyte GTX 960 G1 Gaming 2GB (11.25-11.73" length, 4.45" height, dual 6-pin, passive idle, 3 DP 1.2(eDP 1.4), 1 HDMI 2.0, 2 DVI:
Guru3D
Kitguru
Ocaholic
Tom's Hardware
Tech Report
Hexus
Hardware Info
Guru 3D 4GB (has one 6- and one 8-pin PEG connector)
Gigabyte GTX 960 Windforce OC 2GB (9.69-10" length, 4.17" height, dual 6-pin, passive idle):
Tom's Hardware
Tech Report
Guru3D
KFA2/Galaxy GTX 960 EX OC 2GB (10.67" x 4.89" x 1.63", 8-pin, passive idle):
Guru3D
Tom's Hardware
Hexus
Gainward GTX 960 Phantom OC 2GB (9.72" x 4.41" x ? (2.5 slot), 6-pin, active idle):
Tom's Hardware
Computer Base
Inno3D GTX 960 iChill 2GB (11.81" x 4.37" x "3-slot", dual 6-pin, passive idle):
Tom's Hardware
Hardwareluxx
Hardware Info
Inno3D GTX 960 X3 Air Boss 2GB (12"L , "3 slot", dual 6-pin, passive idle):
Computer Base
KitGuru
Palit GTX 960 Super Jetstream 2GB (9.72" x 4.96" x "2.5-slot", two 6-pin, passive idle):
Tom's Hardware
Techpowerup
Hexus
Hardwareluxx
Computer Base
Computer Base
Guru3D
Kitguru
Palit GTX 960 OC 2GB (9.65", "2-slot" reference design, 6-pin, 1 fan active idle):
Computer Base
Zotac GTX 960 Amp! Edition 2GB (7.76" length, 4.49" height, 6-pin, passive idle):
Hardwareluxx
Computer Base
Hardware Info
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
I'm all fidgety as well!
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
Let the reviews begin..... =)
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
Looks to be good value for money.
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
A lot of empty space on the MSI PCB. Asus sized theirs down. Hmm, with 22cm length this will fit into some quite compact cases.
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
I have two concerns with the Asus according to Tom's Hardware:
1) Power consumption spikes
2) Hidden VRM temps of 95°C
Otherwise it may be the most quiet of the brands they reviewed.
1) Power consumption spikes
2) Hidden VRM temps of 95°C
Otherwise it may be the most quiet of the brands they reviewed.
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Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
yakuman wrote:I have two concerns with the Asus according to Tom's Hardware:
1) Power consumption spikes
2) Hidden VRM temps of 95°C
Otherwise it may be the most quiet of the brands they reviewed.
Set aside it's difficult to me to agree with THG on anything, btw, with reference to TPU findings all those quiet cards (but the Palit) should be very close if not identical noise-wise, and with reference to THG's VRM temps it wouldn't seem ASUS is actually worse than competition.
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
Something is up with THG's review because their page 2 (Partner Card Launch Round-Up) lists EVGA, but it's missing in their benchmarks.quest_for_silence wrote:Set aside it's difficult to me to agree with THG on anything, btw, with reference to TPU findings all those quiet cards (but the Palit) should be very close if not identical noise-wise, and with reference to THG's VRM temps it wouldn't seem ASUS is actually worse than competition.
Which one would you recommend based on reviews so far?
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
I havent read all of the websites reviews yet, mostly the Guru3d, the two that got Top Picks were the MSI and Gigabyte, i would probably consider all 3 with MSI, Gigabyte and Asus, check idle temps, starting fan profiles and load noise, and work from there. Another thing is at the beggining is hard to get a hold of any card.... so things might change if you really want one.yakuman wrote:Which one would you recommend based on reviews so far?
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
My own recent experiences showed me that the MSI / ASUS sound different, and they certainly don't have the same noise levels as seen in the TechPowerUp and Guru3D reviews. Something is wrong with those two review sites, for 970 and 980 series they list all semi-passive cards having the same noise level in load which is clearly not the case. I'd say don't trust the noise measurements on TPU/Guru3d that much.
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
Updated dimensions from mfgr websites - where available. Zotac didn't provide product dimensions, Gigabyte sites failed to resolve.
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Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
bbalex wrote:Something is wrong with those two review sites
It's notorious: a too much high noise floor mask the differences below that level.
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Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
yakuman wrote:Which one would you recommend based on reviews so far?
Frankly no one particularly.
If I were in the market for a GTX 960 here (EU), I would order it from a retailer like Amazon EU, starting from the card with the longest warranty or the lowest price.
Then I will return that graphics in case I weren't satisfied, replacing it by ordering a different brand, and reiterating the process until either I get what I'm looking for, or the alternatives are over.
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Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
Here the Asus Strix 960 is 260-270 euros. FML!
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Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
Lucky Luciano wrote:Here the Asus Strix 960 is 260-270 euros. FML!
Then in case order from Germany, if pricing were substantially better there (I think Romania is in EU, so you shouldn't have any customs duties).
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
Added MSI Gaming @ HT4U. Pretty impressive.
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
I came across this video in my searching and thought this might interest you guys-bbalex wrote:My own recent experiences showed me that the MSI / ASUS sound different, and they certainly don't have the same noise levels as seen in the TechPowerUp and Guru3D reviews. Something is wrong with those two review sites, for 970 and 980 series they list all semi-passive cards having the same noise level in load which is clearly not the case. I'd say don't trust the noise measurements on TPU/Guru3d that much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReO8uVQa9qE
The difference between the two is pretty shocking. HardOCP also noted 780 rpm at full load on the MSI which is awesome.
Another interesting video from the same uploader-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBaY8BCIQ2g
Spulenfiepen = coil whine
That video worries me but Asus is advertising buzz free operation so maybe that video doesn't represent it accurately. It's also interesting how much quieter the Asus is in that video compared to the other video. Not sure what's going on there.
Newegg has $25 off with VISA checkout that ends tomorrow and a $10 rebate so I may take the plunge on the MSI.
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
Oh and hi!
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
So the Zotac ones. They've got a standard one and an "AMP! Edition".
Is there much real world difference between them? Especially when it comes to noise.
Thanks.
Is there much real world difference between them? Especially when it comes to noise.
Thanks.
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Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
wywywywy wrote:Especially when it comes to noise.
As far as I know, right now on the web there's no answer/info about.
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
Added
Hardwareluxx roundup: MSI, EVGA, PAlit, Zotac, Inno3D
Palit @ Hexus.
Hardwareluxx roundup: MSI, EVGA, PAlit, Zotac, Inno3D
Palit @ Hexus.
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
Asus @ SPCR added.
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
Hrm, prices are still a bit high for the 960, in particular considering that used 670ies are sold for ~100 quid. And those are probably still faster.
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
I guess if you are comfortable with used gfx cards, and prefer to save ~70 quid over power and noise, then sure. The stock '670 is a tad slower than the stock '760.Cistron wrote:Hrm, prices are still a bit high for the 960, in particular considering that used 670ies are sold for ~100 quid. And those are probably still faster.
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
Thanks for the links. Yes, I'm a bit of penny pincher ( ), but I also like the idea of recycling equipment.CA_Steve wrote:I guess if you are comfortable with used gfx cards, and prefer to save ~70 quid over power and noise, then sure. The stock '670 is a tad slower than the stock '760.
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
I would say - these are pretty common issues with GTX 9** series:yakuman wrote:I have two concerns with the Asus according to Tom's Hardware:
1) Power consumption spikes
2) Hidden VRM temps of 95°C
Otherwise it may be the most quiet of the brands they reviewed.
- poor VRM cooling (Gigabyte is exception)
- coil whine/buzzling on medium FPS
Computerbase.de has similar videos on GTX 970 & GTX 980 lineup review, with aftermarket coolers. Although one cant make decision based purely on sound recorded on video, still you can tell - buzzling/coil whine is happen more than often on different brands, different coolers.
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
Added KFA2 @ Hexus.
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Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
thanks for another nice roundup Steve.
WELCOME TO SPCR!!!keif wrote:Oh and hi!
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
Added Gigabyte Windforce 2x @ Guru3D.
Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread
Added roundup at Computer Base (Asus, MSI, Palit, and EVGA).