NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 Launched

NVIDIA has officially launched a new member of the GeForce GTX 900 family: the GeForce GTX 960. The new GeForce, available for USD $199, is based on the Maxwell second generation architecture, like the GTX 980 and GTX 970. The GTX 960 is a high-end 1080p graphics card and even if it support 4K resolution @ 60Hz (HDMI 2.0 / DisplayPort 1.2), the GTX 960 is not intended for 4K gaming. The GTX 960 is around 50% slower than the GTX 970 (see the chart at the end of the post).

GeForce GTX 960 main specifications:

• GPU: GM206 @ 1127MHz (base clock) / 1178MHz (boost clock)
• CUDA cores: 1024
• Memory: 2GB GDDR5 @ 7000MHz effective (1750MHZ real speed), 128-bit memory interface
• ROPs: 32
• Texture units: 64
• TDP: 120 Watts
• Power connectors: 1 x 6-pin
• 3D APIs: OpenGL 4.5, Direct3D 11/12
• Computing: OpenCL, CUDA, PhysX
• Output connectors: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 3 x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x DVI

The GM206 is the world’s first full fixed function HEVC (see High Efficiency Video Coding) decoding GPU (source):

On a feature note, while GM206 is officially classified as a Maxwell 2 part there is one small but very notable feature difference that needs to be pointed out, and we’ll get to in-depth in our full review. When it comes to HEVC (H.265) decoding, GM204, GM1xx, and GK1xx GPUs all offer limited HEVC decoding via a hybrid process that offloads some parts to the GPU fixed function units and shaders, and other parts to software entirely. However as of GM206 NVIDIA’s fixed function HEVC decoder has been completed and rolled into this GPU, making this the first discrete GPU with full HEVC decoding support. This will make the GTX 960 an especially tantalizing option for HTPC usage, but we’ll get deeper into that in the future.

Links:

• GTX 960 homepage @ NVIDIA
• GTX 960 introduction @ NVIDIA

Reviews

• pcper.com
• anandtech.com
• techreport.com
• techpowerup.com (MSI GTX 960 Gaming OC 2 GB)

source