Five of the best GeForce GTX 960 graphics cards — choose yours

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 GV-N960IXOC-2GD

The most affordable graphics card in this review and among the three dozen GeForce GTX 960 available for sale. If you are looking for the cheapest model on this chip made by Asus, MSI or Gigabyte, then this is the one for you. Among its features are not the highest frequencies compared to analogues and a shortened printed circuit board, which will allow the use of a graphics adapter in small-sized PCs.

Despite its small size, Gigabyte engineers equipped this graphics card with a proprietary WindForce cooling system. It consists of an aluminium radiator with copper tubes and is blown by a 90mm cooler with an unusual blade shape for more efficient operation. Of course, it does not work as efficiently as systems with two or three fans, but it handles with the cooling of the device.

The factory frequency of the graphics chip of this graphics card is not the highest among models based on the GeForce GTX 960 processor. TOP-5 other cards have the best characteristics. However, this feature can be compensated by automatic overclocking, which even beginners in overclocking can handle. So in the gaming mode, the NVIDIA video chip can be overclocked from 1165 MHz to 1228 MHz, and in the overclocking mode, you can already count on 1253 MHz. As a result, the user can achieve the same speed results as when using more advanced and expensive models (in normal mode). Although, this will increase the noise of the coolers and the heating of the card.

Attention should be paid to the Gigabyte OC Guru II proprietary utility, which is useful primarily for overclocking and working with various functions and parameters of the graphics card, as well as the use of reliable elements of the board within the framework of Ultra Durable VGA concepts.

Asus GeForce GTX 960 GTX960-MOC-2GD5

Given the growing popularity of compact PCs, it is necessary to select the appropriate components to build them. If with mini-ITX motherboards, thanks to article, it will not be difficult to decide, then among the graphics adapters on the market there are not many models corresponding to the given parameters.< /p>

Although the Gigabyte graphics card mentioned above is also small in size, the GTX960-MOC-2GD5 is the most compact model from this collection. It is only 17 cm long. And unlike the compact Gigabyte (with a length of 181 mm), it is precisely compatible with mini-ITX boards. Among the strengths of the graphics card, it is worth highlighting a practical and reliable design with an additional metal plate, which not only protects the back panel from unforeseen damage, but also removes some of the heat to itself, ultimately reducing the noise level during operation.

Also noteworthy is a fan of an unusual shape, which handles with its tasks better than classic solutions. Thanks to this, even after overclocking the GPU from 1190 MHz to 1350 MHz, the heating will not exceed 65 degrees Celsius, and the noise level will still be at the average level. This is confirmed by graphics card testing experts.

This model can be described as a compact graphics adapter with good overclocking potential and an advanced cooling system. But the main advantage of the GTX960-MOC-2GD5 is the functionality and reliability of the larger and more expensive video cards from this collection, while being compatible with mini-ITX systems.

MSI GTX 960 GAMING 2G

The MSI model based on the GeForce GTX 960 graphics chip can be called the most balanced version among the presented models. Due to the red insert on the casing of the cooling system, it looks more attractive against the background of competitive solutions — this will become a trump card if an open stand or case with transparent elements is used to build a PC. By the way, you can find such a case in corresponding directory. In addition, if you include a motherboard from the GAMING series in the system, for example Z97 Gaming 3, then the system will have a common visual style.

The GeForce GTX 960 reference sample runs at 1127 MHz by default. It was this frequency that the version from MSI received. But, despite the "stock" performance, the developers decided to implement a very efficient cooling system called TWIN FROZR V. It consists of a large aluminium radiator with copper tubes and two 100mm fans. By the way, one of the fans with the name TORX received an unusual shape, which contributes to more efficient operation. This will allow you to do overclocking without a noticeable increase in the noise level.

Special attention deserve branded applications — MSI Gaming App and MSI Afterburner. The first utility is useful for non-experienced users. After all, it will allow you to select a work scenario with just one click. So, in the Silent mode, the frequency remains at the base value, the Gaming mode will raise it to 1190 MHz, and by selecting the OC mode, the GPU will accelerate to 1241 MHz. The second proprietary application is intended for those who have bought more than their first graphics card. It serves for deeper and finer tuning of the video adapter using various overclocking techniques and monitoring the level of security and performance. It is noteworthy that most users of video cards from other manufacturers use the utility from MSI for overclocking (although not all of its options may be available for them).

Asus GeForce GTX 960 STRIX-GTX960-DC2OC-2GD5

This model has several advantages compared to other models from this article — increased nominal frequencies and a unique DirectCU II cooling system with passive cooling. So, out of the box, the base frequency is increased to 1291 MHz, and in Boost mode — up to 1317 MHz. And the memory frequency is the highest in our rating (7200 MHz, which is almost 200 MHz more than usual). According to the manufacturer, this will give a significant performance boost in games like Assassin's Creed Unity, Battlefield 4 and others. In addition, with the help of Asus' proprietary GPU Tweak utility, you can manually configure it and achieve the necessary results in overclocking.

The cooling system can be described as classic for video cards of this level — it consists of an aluminium radiator, a back plate, like the other ASUS model in this compilation, as well as four heatpipes that make direct contact with the GPU and two 80mm fans. It seems nothing unusual, but here the main feature is the proprietary passive cooling mode (like other models from STRIX series. During simple tasks like light games like League of Legends, watching videos, etc., only the heatsink takes care of the system cooling, and the fans only start at medium and high load levels, thereby keeping the noise level to a minimum.For those who are trying with all their might to assemble the most silent and powerful PC, this graphics card will be just a godsend.

under the most extreme loads, as well as a relatively small length among advanced graphics adapters based on the GeForce GTX 960 – only 21.5 cm.