NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M in 2025: Is it Worth Considering This Graphics Card?
Introduction
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M is a mobile graphics card released in 2015. Despite its age, it is still found in used laptops and budget devices. Its relevance in 2025 raises questions, but for certain scenarios, it may still be useful. Let's examine who this model is suitable for and what compromises should be accepted.
Architecture and Key Features
Maxwell Architecture: A Modest Foundation
The GTX 950M is built on the Maxwell architecture (GM107), manufactured using a 28nm process. This generation focused on energy efficiency, which is critical for laptops. However, compared to modern GPUs on 5nm or 7nm (such as the RTX 40 series), the 950M appears outdated.
Lack of Modern Technologies
The card does not support ray tracing (RTX), DLSS, FidelityFX, or other features that have become standard by 2025. Its capabilities are limited to basic graphics APIs: DirectX 12 (feature level 11_0), OpenGL 4.5, and Vulkan 1.1. Running games with RTX or AI upscaling will require an external GPU or an upgrade.
Key Specifications:
- CUDA Cores: 640;
- Base Clock: 914 MHz (Boost up to 993 MHz).
Memory: Limits of an Outdated Standard
Type and Amount of Memory
The GTX 950M is equipped with 2GB or 4GB of GDDR5 memory (less commonly DDR3). A 128-bit bus provides a bandwidth of up to 80 GB/s (for GDDR5). In comparison, modern mobile GPUs (e.g., RTX 4050) use GDDR6 with a bandwidth of 288 GB/s.
Impact on Performance
The small amount and low speed of the memory become bottlenecks in games and applications that require high-resolution textures. For example, in Cyberpunk 2077 (2025), even on low settings, 2GB of VRAM will be insufficient.
Gaming Performance: What Can Be Run in 2025?
1080p: Minimum for Older Titles
The GTX 950M can handle games up to 2020 at medium settings:
- CS:GO — 60-80 FPS;
- GTA V — 45-55 FPS;
- The Witcher 3 — 25-30 FPS (low settings).
Modern AAA titles (Starfield, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6) will only run on minimum settings at 720p with FPS around 20-25.
1440p and 4K: Not for This Card
Even 1440p lacks sufficient power. 4K gaming is out of the question — the GPU does not have DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1.
Ray Tracing: Impossible
The absence of RT cores and low performance make RTX effects unattainable.
Professional Tasks: CUDA at Minimum
Video Editing and Rendering
Thanks to CUDA, the 950M accelerates rendering in Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve, but only for projects with a resolution up to Full HD. Exporting 4K video will take 3-4 times longer compared to modern GPUs.
3D Modeling
In Blender or AutoCAD, the card can handle simple scenes, but complex objects will cause lag. In comparison, the RTX 3050 Mobile renders 5-7 times faster.
Scientific Calculations
Using CUDA/OpenCL for machine learning or simulations is feasible, but only for educational tasks. Even neural networks with a couple of layers will process slowly.
Power Consumption and Heat Generation
TDP and Cooling Recommendations
The TDP of the GTX 950M is 50-75W (depending on the version). In laptops with passive or weak active cooling, overheating (up to 85-90°C under load) may occur.
Operating Tips:
- Regularly clean the cooling system from dust;
- Use cooling pads;
- Avoid long gaming sessions.
Comparison with Competitors
2015-2017 Alternatives:
- AMD Radeon R9 M375: Falls behind in performance (~15% weaker in games);
- NVIDIA GTX 960M: 20-25% more powerful, but more expensive.
In 2025:
Modern integrated GPUs (e.g., AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS with Radeon 780M) surpass the GTX 950M in performance and support new technologies.
Practical Advice
Power Supply and Compatibility
Since the 950M is a mobile GPU, the choice of PSU is irrelevant. For laptops with this card, an original adapter (90-120W) is recommended.
Drivers and OS
Official driver support from NVIDIA has ended. The last stable version is 473.81 (2023). The card is compatible with Windows 10/11, but there may be issues with open-source Nouveau drivers on Linux.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Low price (laptops with 950M on the second-hand market cost $150–$250);
- Suitable for basic tasks: office work, browsing, older games;
- Energy efficiency for its time.
Cons:
- Does not support modern technologies (RTX, DLSS);
- Weak performance in new games;
- Limited memory capacity.
Final Conclusion: Who Is the GTX 950M Suitable For?
This graphics card is an option for:
1. Students who need a budget laptop for studies and non-demanding games;
2. Office users working with documents and browsers;
3. Retro gaming enthusiasts building PCs to run classics from the 2010s.
Why Not to Buy:
For modern games, 4K editing, or AI work — the GPU is hopelessly outdated.
Conclusion
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M in 2025 is a relic of the past that may still be useful in niche scenarios. However, its time has passed: even budget modern solutions offer more capabilities for similar money. If your budget is limited to $300, it's better to look at laptops with integrated graphics from the Ryzen 7000/8000 series or Intel Arc — they will provide a more comfortable experience in 2025.