NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 OEM
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 OEM in 2025: Is It Worth Buying an Outdated Graphics Card?
April 2025
In an era where graphics cards with support for ray tracing and neural technologies have become the norm, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 OEM appears as a relic of the past. However, even in 2025, this model attracts the attention of budget users. Let’s examine who might find it useful and what compromises will have to be made.
1. Architecture and Key Features
Maxwell Architecture: A Modest Legacy
The GTX 960 OEM is based on the Maxwell architecture (GM206), released in 2015. It is a 28nm chip optimized for a balance between performance and energy efficiency. Compared to modern solutions built on 5nm and 6nm processes (such as the RTX 50 series), its manufacturing technology is outdated, but Maxwell was considered a breakthrough in its time.
Unique Features: What’s Missing
The card lacks support for ray tracing (RTX), DLSS, FidelityFX, or any other modern technologies. The "features" it offers are limited to basic functionalities like VXGI (global illumination in some games) and MFAA (anti-aliasing). For games in 2025, these capabilities are insufficient, but they may still be useful in older projects and indie titles.
2. Memory: Limitations That Impact Performance
Type and Size: GDDR5 and Modest 2/4 GB
The GTX 960 OEM comes with GDDR5 memory and a 128-bit bus. The size depends on the version: 2 GB (base) or 4 GB (OEM version). The bandwidth ranges from 112–144 GB/s, which is 3-4 times lower than modern GDDR6X solutions.
Impact on Performance
Even 4 GB of video memory is critically low in 2025. For instance, in games like Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (minimum settings, 1080p), the card delivers around 20–25 FPS due to a lack of VRAM. In less demanding projects, such as Fortnite or CS2, the average FPS reaches 40–60 frames but with frequent drops.
3. Gaming Performance: Realities of 2025
1080p: The Ceiling for Comfortable Gaming
- Apex Legends (low settings): 50–60 FPS.
- The Witcher 3 (medium settings): 35–45 FPS.
- Hogwarts Legacy (minimum settings): 15–20 FPS.
1440p and 4K: Not Feasible for GTX 960 OEM
Even at 1440p resolution, most games become virtually unplayable. For example, Elden Ring at 1440p yields 10–15 FPS. 4K is out of the question — that's territory for RTX 4060 and above.
Ray Tracing: No Support
The card lacks hardware RT Cores, so ray tracing is off the table. Software emulation (e.g., via mods) reduces FPS to 1–5 frames, which is unacceptable.
4. Professional Tasks: Looking Back on the Past
Video Editing and 3D Modeling
Thanks to CUDA support (1024 cores), the GTX 960 OEM can handle basic tasks in Adobe Premiere Pro or Blender, but rendering complex scenes takes hours. For comparison, the RTX 3050 completes similar tasks 4–5 times faster.
Scientific Calculations
The card supports OpenCL and CUDA, but due to the small number of cores and outdated architecture, its use in machine learning or simulations is limited to educational projects.
5. Power Consumption and Thermal Output
TDP: 120 Watts — A Plus for Older PCs
Modern power supplies can easily handle the GTX 960 OEM. The recommended PSU is 400–450 Watts (e.g., Corsair CX450).
Cooling and Cases
Even OEM versions rarely overheat due to their modest thermal output. A basic cooler and a case with 1-2 fans are sufficient. However, in compact builds, throttling may occur under prolonged load.
6. Comparison with Competitors
AMD Radeon R9 380 (2015)
A close competitor from 2015. The R9 380 outperforms the GTX 960 OEM by 10–15% in games but consumes 190 Watts compared to 120 Watts. By 2025, both cards are equally outdated.
Modern Analogues: NVIDIA RTX 2050 and AMD RX 6400
New budget models (priced at $150–$200) offer 2-3 times higher performance, support for DLSS/FSR, and 4 GB of GDDR6. The GTX 960 OEM (if found new) costs $80–$100, but even then it falls short against these newer options.
7. Practical Advice
Power Supply: 450 Watts — Sufficient
Even for builds with CPUs like the Core i5-12400F.
Compatibility with Platforms
The card utilizes the PCIe 3.0 x16 interface, which is compatible with modern motherboards. However, NVIDIA drivers for the GTX 900 series are updated infrequently — there may be issues with Windows 12 and new games.
Drivers: Look for Optimized Builds
The enthusiast community provides modified drivers (e.g., “NVCleanstall”) that improve compatibility with new software.
8. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Low price ($80–$100 for new units).
- Energy efficiency (suitable for upgrading old PCs).
- Quiet operation even under load.
Cons:
- Outdated architecture and lack of support for modern technologies.
- Insufficient video memory for games in 2025.
- Limited compatibility with new software.
9. Final Conclusion: Who Is GTX 960 OEM Suitable For?
This graphics card is a choice for:
1. Owners of old PCs looking to breathe new life into their system without replacing the power supply.
2. Retro game enthusiasts (for example, projects from the 2010s).
3. Office builds with rare rendering tasks.
However, if your budget allows for $150–$200, it's better to opt for the RTX 2050 or RX 6400 — they will provide a better future-proof option. The GTX 960 OEM in 2025 remains a niche solution for those who prioritize cost over performance.