GeForce GTX 960 SLI Review: 2x Gigabyte GTX 960s Put to the Test
Today Nvidia is releasing its most affordable GeForce GTX 900 series GPU yet, bringing Maxwell to the masses by essentially halving a GTX 980 in parts and price. Billed as the company’s ‘sweet spot’ card, the GTX 960 is meant to deliver on value, offering more performance than the competition with considerably better power efficiency.
Because they’re meant to provide the best bang for your buck, sweet spot GPUs have typically been an affordable way to achieve high-end performance via SLI or Crossfire. One of the best examples I can recall was the Radeon HD 4770, which cost just $200 for a two-way Crossfire setup and could outpace GPUs that cost two or three times as much.
We also have fond memories of GTX 460 SLI setups and although a pair ran $400, neither AMD nor Nvidia flagships of the time stood a chance. With its predecessors having that sort of history, it seems reasonable to expect big things from dual GTX 960s. They probably won’t tackle the GTX 980 but for under half the price they might come close enough.
Gigabyte sent us a pair of GTX 960s for testing. We have a GTX 960 G1 Gaming card as well as a GTX 960 WindForce 2X. Before we jump to the benchmarks, let’s take a moment to explore these Gigabyte graphics cards in greater detail. For single-GPU results and a full review of the GTX 960, we have an entirely separate article.
When Gigabyte released its GTX 980 and GTX 970 range it added the elite G1 Gaming series to the mix. Using a rigorous cherry-picking process, the company guarantees higher overclocking capabilities with their G1 Gaming series.
This makes the GTX 960 G1 Gaming the best choice for those not just planning on overclocking, but also for those seeking a graphics card with the best possible air-cooling. The GTX 960 G1 Gaming is armed with a huge triple-fan cooler with a 300w cooling capacity that is typically reserved for higher-end GPUs. That said, please note that the card is armed with a cooler claiming a 600w cooling capacity.
The WindForce 3X cooler featured on the GTX 960 G1 Gaming has three fans with a unique triangle design at their edges that is designed to smoothly guide the blades through the air. Gigabyte says this design improves airflow by 23% over traditional fans whilst reducing air turbulence.
The massive heatsink features a huge copper base complete with four 6mm thick heatpipes. Something new to the GTX 960 G1 Gaming’s cooler are the ‘silent’ and ‘stop’ indicators, which are part of the semi-passive design. Because Nvidia’s spec has a 120w TDP, Gigabyte’s 300w cooler can get away with very low fan speeds or at times no fan speed at all.
Gigabyte has designed this graphics card so that the fans will not spin when the GPU isn’t being heavily accessed in low powered gaming scenarios where the temperate remains at less than 62 degrees Celsius. The fan shroud features blue LED lights that indicate if that fan is stopped or spinning in silent mode.
Gigabyte says even under full load the GTX 960 G1 Gaming only generates 18.
1dB, while reference cards produce 32.6dB. When testing we can confirm that under full load using stress test programs such as FurMark, the GTX 960 G1 Gaming remains virtually silent.
Not only has the cooler been significantly upgraded but so too has the PCB, which now features a 6-phase GPU power design. Reference cards only sport a 3-phase design, which means each phase is dealing with a 40w load before any overclocking takes place to achieve 120w. The GTX 960 G1 Gaming can load balance and with just 27w per phase a maximum power rating of 162w can be achieved.
Having armed the GTX 960 G1 Gaming with exceptional cooling and a more efficient power delivery system, the next step for Gigabyte was to do a little factory overclocking. It pushed the base clock from 1127MHz to 1241MHz, a 10% boost, which pushed the maximum turbo frequency to 1304MHz. The GDDR5 memory has been left at 7GHz, though we are sure there is plenty of overclocking headroom here as well.
The only disadvantage of the Gigabyte GTX 960 G1 Gaming is the card’s size as it stretches 295mm, which is the kind of length you would expect from a GTX 980 or R9 290X but not a mid-range solution.
Therefore, Gigabyte has also developed a more mid-tower friendly version based on the WindForce 2X cooler.
The PCB itself is exactly the same, the key changes have been made to the cooler itself and the operating frequencies. The GTX 960 WindForce 2X features a base clock of 1216MHz, which is just 2% lower than the G1 Gaming version.
Although a more compact dual-fan cooler has been used, Gigabyte has still employed the semi-passive stop fan feature.
The cooler also still has four 6mm copper heatpipes and a rather large array of aluminum fins which are cooled by two of those uniquely designed 92mm fans with triangle blades.
Both versions feature dual 6-pin PCIe power connectors, while the I/O panel includes three standard DisplayPort connectors, a HDMI 2.0 output and two Dual-Link DVI outputs.
Testing Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 960 2GB Graphics Cards In SLI
Rikki Wright / 8 years ago
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Introduction2. Test Systems and Procedures3. 3DMark4. Batman: Arkham Origins5. Battlefield 46. Bioshock Infinite7. Hitman Absolution8. Metro Last Light9. Tomb Raider10. Unigine Valley11. Performance Summary12. Noise Levels13. Power Consumption14. Temperatures15. Final Thoughts16. View All PagesIntroduction
Here at eTeknix, we strive to give the consumer the best possible advice in every aspect of technology. Today is no different, as we have 2 GeForce GTX 960’s ready for some testing. The first is the Asus STRIX GeForce GTX 960 (check out our review of that here) and the second is the Gigabyte G1 Gaming GeForce GTX 960 (check out our review of that here). When striving for the best results, it is favourable to test 2 of the same models to allow for no variation in any clock speeds or variations in any integrated components. Fortunately, as these cards are both non-reference, we have some headroom for overclocking, which is sometimes not present in reference models.
In their dedicated reviews, you can see that both of these graphics cards are more than capable of running most feature games and benchmarking software at playable levels at 1440p. When tested at 4K resolution, both of these cards struggled and failed to wow us, so it will be interesting to see how these cards stack up against their single scores. This setup might be the favourable choice for some, as it is more budget friendly than splashing the cash on a pair of GTX 970’s or GTX 980’s, so let’s find out if it’s worth it!
We inserted both GTX 960 graphics cards onto our Core i7 5820K and X99-based test system, ensuring adequate spacing and that both have access to sufficient PCI-e bandwidth for SLI operation.
Due to both of these graphics cards having ample cooling capabilities in their own right, position isn’t really an issue. In this test, we have placed the Gigabyte G1 Gaming graphics card in the traditional ‘Hot Spot’ due to its far more substantial cooling solution.
As we saw in the dedicated reviews, thermal throttling isn’t an issue here. In fact, both of these cards have a passive running feature which allows for passive running under 65°c. It will be very interesting to see if these cards can run passively together, possibly even while playing slightly more demanding games.
Both of the graphics cards we have here are non-reference, they have a higher base clock as standard compared to a reference design card. We will have to match these cards clock speeds of both core and memory to try to closely match them and to give the best results.
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1. Introduction2. Test Systems and Procedures3. 3DMark4. Batman: Arkham Origins5. Battlefield 46. Bioshock Infinite7. Hitman Absolution8. Metro Last Light9. Tomb Raider10. Unigine Valley11. Performance Summary12. Noise Levels13. Power Consumption14. Temperatures15. Final Thoughts16. View All Pages |
Next Page » |
Topics: 2GB, 960, asus, g1, gaming, gigabyte, GTX, passive, performance, sli
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GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce|NVIDIA
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Overview
Enjoy next-gen gaming with the GeForce ® GTX 960. It’s the perfect solution for the performance, power efficiency, and realistic gameplay that only NVIDIA ® Maxwell™ technology can offer.
GTX 960 Performance Specifications
See how the GeForce GTX 960 performs in the latest PC games.
GeForce GTX 960 video
NVIDIA’s Tom Petersen talks about the GeForce GTX 960 Watch Video >
SHIELD™ Gamer’s Tablet
NVIDIA ® SHIELD™ tablet combines power, performance and portability with the world’s fastest mobile processor. You can connect an optional SHIELD wireless controller to your tablet for a whole new level of gaming comfort and control. What’s more, the tablet comes with NVIDIA GameStream™ technology, so you can take the power of your gaming PC with you wherever you go.
GeForce Experience™
The easiest way to optimize your games and keep your drivers up to date.
Watch the GeForce Experience video. A step-by-step guide to using the GeForce Experience app.
Capture every win with GeForce® ShadowPlay™
Automatically record all your best gaming moments.
Download now.
Features
- Maxwell GPU Architecture
- Dynamic Super Resolution (DSR)
- Multi-frame anti-aliasing (MFAA)
- Voxel Global Illumination (VXGI)
- GeForce Experience™
- NVIDIA G-SYNC™ Technology
- SLI technology ®
- NVIDIA Surround™ with support for up to four monitors
NVIDIA GameStream™
Stream extreme games from your GeForce GTX-powered PC to portable devices like NVIDIA SHIELD™ with super-smooth performance and low latency.
NVIDIA GPU Boost 2.0
With precise controls, this revolutionary technology allows gamers to maximize PC performance. GPU Boost 2.0 monitors your graphics card, even better managing GPU temperature, CPU overclocking, and voltage to maximize GPU performance.
NVIDIA Adaptive Vertical Sync
Nothing is more distracting than jitter and tearing. The first occurs when the frame rate is low, the second occurs when it is too high. Adaptive V-Sync technology is a great way to process frames. At high frame rates, V-sync is enabled to eliminate tearing, and at low frame rates, V-sync is disabled to minimize judder.
Specifications
GeForce GTX 960
CUDA Core |
1024 |
Base clock |
1127MHz |
Boost clock |
1178MHz |
Texture Fill Rate |
72 GigaTexels/s |
Memory speed (Gbps ) |
7.0 |
Memory capacity |
2GB |
Memory interface |
128-bit GDDR5 |
Maximum memory bandwidth |
112 GB/s |
NVIDIA SLI support |
|
SLI Type |
2-way |
Software environment |
CUDA |
DirectX |
12 API |
OpenGL |
4. 4 |
Tire |
PCI-E 3.0 |
Maximum digital resolution |
5120×3200 |
Maximum resolutionVGA |
2048×1536 |
Media connection |
|
Multiple display support |
|
|
HDCP |
|
Audio input for HDMI |
Internal |
Height |
11. 16 cm / 4.376 inches |
Length |
24.13 cm / 9.5 inches |
Width |
Two slots |
Maximum temperature |
98C |
Energy consumption |
120W |
Minimum system power requirements |
400W |
Power connectors |
6-pin |
Buy
CONTACT
HARDWARE QUESTIONS
Technical support, warranty service requests, replacement and warranty repair questions for your NVIDIA products will be addressed to NVIDIA.
Click here to access NVIDIA’s technical support page for GeForce graphics card users. If you purchased a GeForce graphics card from one of our reseller partners, click here.
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ASUS GeForce GTX 960 Mini OC (GTX960-MOC-2GD5) review and test GECID.com. Page 1
::>Video cards
>2015
> ASUS GTX960-MOC-2GD5
08-07-2015
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One page
For several years now, ASUS has pleased fans of compact gaming Mini-ITX systems with video cards ideally suited to this form factor, updating its ASUS Mini line. Among these models, we have already been tested by ASUS GeForce GTX 670 DirectCU Mini OC and ASUS GeForce GTX 760 DirectCU Mini OC. It’s time to talk about the compact version of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 – ASUS GeForce GTX 960 Mini OC (GTX960-MOC-2GD5) .
The novelty has at its disposal not only a compact format, but also factory overclocking, high-quality components, and proprietary DirectCU Mini cooling system, designed specifically for ASUS Mini video cards.
Let’s go directly to the review for a more detailed study of all the features of the novelty.
Specification for ASUS GeForce GTX 960 Mini OC:
|
Model |
ASUS GeForce GTX 960 Mini OC ( ASUS GTX960-MOC-2GD5) |
|
Graphics core |
NVIDIA GM206 (Maxwell) |
|
Number of CUDA cores |
1024 |
|
Supported APIs and Technologies |
DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.4, NVIDIA GPU Boost 2.0, NVIDIA TXAA, NVIDIA FXAA, NVIDIA MFAA, NVIDIA Adaptive Vertical Sync, NVIDIA Surround, NVIDIA PhysX, NVIDIA 3D Vision, NVIDIA SLI, NVIDIA CUDA, NVIDIA GameWorks, NVIDIA GameStream |
|
Base / dynamic frequency of the graphics core, MHz |
1190 / 1253 |
|
Memory frequency (effective), MHz |
1753 (7010) |
|
Memory size, GB |
2 |
|
Memory type |
GDDR5 |
|
Memory bus width, bit |
128 |
|
Memory bandwidth, GB/s |
112. |
|
Tire type |
PCI Express 3.0 x16 |
|
Maximum resolution |
Digital — up to 4096 x 2160 Analog — up to 2048 x 1536 |
|
Image output interfaces |
1 x DVI-I 1 x HDMI 3 x DisplayPort |
|
Support for HDCP and HD video decoding |
Yes |
|
Minimum power supply unit, W |
400 |
|
Additional PCIe power connectors |
1 x 6-pin |
|
Dimensions from the official website (according to measurements in our test laboratory), mm |
170 x 122 (183 x 122) |
|
Drivers |
Latest drivers can be downloaded from the ASUS website or the GPU manufacturer’s website |
|
Manufacturer website |
ASUS |
2 The tested modification of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 compares favorably with the factory overclocked graphics core from the standard 1126 to 1190 MHz.
The dynamic frequency of the GPU averages 1253 MHz instead of the recommended 1178 MHz. As for the video memory subsystem, it operates at the recommended effective frequency of 7010 MHz.
Packing and contents
The ASUS GTX960-MOC-2GD5 video card comes in a fairly compact box made of thick cardboard and decorated with corporate-style printing. In addition to the name of the manufacturer and device model, we note the mention of the amount and type of video memory used. In turn, the icon «OC Edition» indicates the factory overclocking of new items. Also in the lower right corner is support for NVIDIA G-SYNC, NVIDIA GameWorks, NVIDIA GameStream and DirectX 12 technologies.
The main advantages of the ASUS GeForce GTX 960 Mini OC (GTX960-MOC-2GD5) are: proprietary DirectCU Mini cooling system and improved element base, made according to the Super Alloy Power concept. In everyday use, this design allows for a 15% increase in performance, a 35°C reduction in operating temperature, and a 2.
5x increase in graphics card life.
The reverse side of the box is traditionally reserved for a more detailed description of the benefits indicated on the front side. Also here is a schematic representation of the interface panel and a mention of the capabilities of the proprietary GPU Tweak utility with online broadcasting functions (Online Streaming).
The list of system requirements for the computer where you plan to install the video card is located on one of the sides of the box. Based on the recommendations, the power supply in such a system must have a power of at least 400 W and deliver at least 38 A along the + 12V line. Also, the tested model requires only one 6-pin PCIe cable to be connected.
Included with the ASUS GeForce GTX 960 Mini OC graphics adapter, we found only documentation and a software CD. You shouldn’t have any problems connecting additional power, since almost all modern power supplies are equipped with at least one 6-pin PCIe cable.
To output an image on the tested novelty, a reference set of interfaces is used:
- 1 x DVI-I;
- 1 x HDMI;
- 3 x DisplayPort.
The following resolutions are supported:
- digital — up to 4096 x 2160;
- analog — up to 2048 x 1536.
Appearance and element base
The ASUS GTX960-MOC-2GD5 model is made on a compact black printed circuit board, with a reference layout principle. The component base used corresponds to the Super Alloy Power proprietary concept and includes exclusively high-quality components: solid capacitors, improved MOSFETs, ferrite core chokes and tantalum polymer capacitors. This improves the stability and reliability of the graphics adapter as a whole, and also extends its service life.
The novelty is powered by a standard five-phase scheme, where four phases are responsible for powering the graphics core, and one is for the video memory subsystem.
The uP1608TK chip from uPI Semiconductor is used as a digital PWM controller for the power subsystem.
In accordance with NVIDIA’s recommendations, the tested graphics adapter is powered by a PCI Express x16 slot and one 6-pin PCIe connector, well located on the side of the board, so the cooler does not make it difficult to disconnect the PCIe cable.
To ensure the operation of NVIDIA SLI technology in ASUS GTX960-MOC-2GD5, one connector is used to connect the corresponding bridge, which allows you to combine two video accelerators for joint calculation of graphic effects. Recall that you can see the results of testing the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 in 2-Way NVIDIA SLI mode in the GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 960 WINDFORCE OC review.
The reverse side of the novelty, originally covered by a base plate, is notable for two of the four video memory chips, the tantalum-polymer capacitors mentioned above and a number of other electrical components.
The tested model is based on a 28nm NVIDIA GM206-300-A1 (Maxwell) graphics chip. It includes 1024 CUDA cores, 32 raster units and 64 texture units. As we have already said, the video card is distinguished by factory overclocking of the graphics core, the operating frequencies of which were 1190 and 1253 MHz.
The memory of the ASUS GTX960-MOC-2GD5 model, with a total capacity of 2 GB, is assembled using 4 Samsung K4G41325FC-HC28 chips with a capacity of 4 Gb each. According to the documentation, their effective frequency is 7000 MHz. The exchange of data between the GPU and memory is carried out through a 128-bit bus, which is capable of passing 112.2 GB of information per second.
Cooling system
The video card with the installed DirectCU Mini cooling system occupies two expansion slots and has a total length of 170 mm according to the official ASUS website (183 mm according to our measurements).
It would not be out of place to recall that the standard width of Mini-ITX motherboards (for example, ASUS MAXIMUS VII IMPACT ) is 170 mm, which confirms the excellent compatibility of the video accelerator with compact systems of this form factor.
The cooler itself consists of a small heat sink with an evaporative chamber at the base and a CoolTech fan with an outer impeller diameter of 86 mm. The spinner is made using hybrid technology, combining an internal radial fan and an external axial fan (with a classic design of the blades). Such a design, according to the manufacturer, provides multidirectional air flow and promotes accelerated heat dissipation.
Propeller manufactured by FirstDo and labeled “FD9015U12S». The nominal operating voltage is 12 V, and the current strength is 0.55 A, which gives a total power of 6.6 watts. Judging by the letter «S» in the name, it is built on plain bearings (sleeve bearing).
With automatic regulation of the fan blades speed, in the maximum load mode, the graphics core heated up to 71°C, and the cooler, judging by the monitoring readings, worked at 58% of its maximum power. Noise at the same time, according to subjective sensations, was below the average level.