NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 OEM
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 OEM in 2025: Review and Relevance for Modern Tasks
Introduction
Even a decade after its release, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 OEM continues to attract the attention of budget segment enthusiasts. However, in 2025, its capabilities require a sober assessment. In this article, we will examine how relevant the GTX 950 OEM is today, what tasks it can handle, and who should consider it.
Architecture and Key Features
Maxwell Architecture: A Legacy from 2015
The GTX 950 OEM is built on the Maxwell 2.0 architecture, which was once praised for its energy efficiency. The card is manufactured using a 28nm process, which looks archaic by 2025 standards — modern GPUs use 5-7nm processes.
Key features of Maxwell include:
- DSR (Dynamic Super Resolution): Enhancing image detail through rendering at a high resolution followed by downscaling.
- MFAA (Multi-Frame Anti-Aliasing): Smoothing edges with reduced computational costs.
- Support for DirectX 12 (Feature Level 11_0): Partial compatibility with modern APIs but lacking support for newer features like ray tracing.
RTX, DLSS, and FidelityFX are absent—these technologies emerged in later generations of NVIDIA (Turing, Ampere) and AMD (RDNA 2).
Memory: GDDR5 Limitations
Technical Specifications
- Memory Type: GDDR5 (an outdated standard; modern cards use GDDR6X or HBM2).
- Capacity: 2GB (less commonly, 4GB in OEM versions).
- Bus: 128-bit.
- Bandwidth: 105.6 GB/s (memory frequency — 6.6 Gbps).
Impact on Performance
2GB of video memory is a critical shortcoming in 2025. Even less demanding games like Fortnite or Apex Legends consume 3-4GB at medium settings in 1080p. This leads to a drop in FPS due to memory overload. For projects like Cyberpunk 2077 or Starfield, the card is unsuitable—insufficient VRAM causes lagging and low-quality textures.
Gaming Performance: The Realities of 2025
1080p: Minimum for Survival
At low settings, the GTX 950 OEM shows the following results (FPS, average):
- CS2: 70–90 FPS.
- Valorant: 90–110 FPS.
- GTA V: 45–55 FPS.
- The Witcher 3: 30–35 FPS.
In open-world games (Red Dead Redemption 2, Elden Ring), the card delivers 20–25 FPS even at minimum settings—comfortable gameplay is impossible.
1440p and 4K: Not Considered
Due to weak GPU power and memory limitations, resolutions beyond 1080p are impractical.
Ray Tracing: Absent
Hardware ray tracing requires RTX cores, which Maxwell lacks. Software emulation (e.g., via DirectX 12 Ultimate) is not supported.
Professional Tasks: Modest Capabilities
CUDA and OpenCL
- CUDA Cores: 768 (compared to 2048 in the GTX 1660 or 5888 in the RTX 3060).
- OpenCL Support: Version 1.2, which is outdated (modern applications require OpenCL 3.0).
Use Cases
- Video Editing: Processing videos in 1080p in DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro is possible, but rendering will take 3-4 times longer than on an RTX 3050.
- 3D Modeling: Blender and Maya will run, but complex scenes will cause slowdowns.
- Scientific Calculations: The card is only suitable for educational projects.
Power Consumption and Heat Dissipation
TDP and Power Requirements
- TDP: 90W.
- Recommended PSU: 350-400W with a 6-pin PCIe connector.
Cooling and Cases
- Cooling System: Passive or single-fan cooler (temperature under load — 75–80°C).
- Case Recommendations: Proper ventilation is essential. Overheating may occur in compact cases.
Comparison with Competitors
Analogues from 2015-2016:
- AMD Radeon R7 370: Similar performance but higher power consumption (110W).
- NVIDIA GTX 1050 (2016): 20% faster, 2GB GDDR5, 75W TDP.
Modern Budget Models (2025):
- Intel Arc A380: 6GB GDDR6, ray tracing support, priced at $150.
- AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT: 4GB GDDR6, 120 FPS in 1080p, priced at $160.
The GTX 950 OEM falls short in all parameters but may be cheaper (second-hand market price — $30–50).
Practical Tips
Power Supply and Compatibility
- PSU: 400W with 80+ Bronze certification.
- Platform: Compatible with PCIe 3.0, but will work on PCIe 4.0/5.0 (without performance loss).
- Drivers: Official support ended in 2021. The last stable version is 472.12.
Pros and Cons
Advantages:
- Low price ($30–50 on the second-hand market).
- Energy efficiency (suitable for older PCs with weak PSUs).
- Quiet operation (in models with quality cooling).
Disadvantages:
- 2GB GDDR5 is insufficient for modern games.
- Lack of ray tracing and DLSS support.
- Outdated drivers and APIs.
Final Conclusion: Who Should Consider the GTX 950 OEM in 2025?
This graphics card is suitable for:
1. Owners of Old PCs looking to refresh their system for basic tasks (office work, browsing, HD video).
2. Retro Gaming Enthusiasts (projects prior to 2015 on medium settings).
3. Budget Builds as a temporary solution before purchasing a modern GPU.
However, for gaming in 2025, professional work, or technologies like AI rendering, the GTX 950 OEM is unsuitable. If your budget allows for $150–200, it's better to choose a new card—such as the Intel Arc A380 or AMD RX 6500 XT.
Epilogue
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 OEM is an example of "digital longevity," but by 2025, its time has passed. It maintains a niche audience; however, most users are better served by more modern solutions.