The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M is a popular mid-range graphics processing unit (GPU) designed for laptops. It was part of NVIDIA’s GeForce 900M series, which brought significant improvements in performance and power efficiency compared to its predecessors. In this article, we will delve into the details of the GTX 960M, including its release date, features, and performance, to provide a comprehensive understanding of this GPU.
Introduction to the GeForce 900M Series
The GeForce 900M series was announced by NVIDIA in March 2015, with the GTX 960M being one of the key models in this lineup. This series was based on the Maxwell architecture, which provided a significant boost in performance and power efficiency compared to the previous Kepler architecture. The Maxwell architecture introduced several new features, including improved CUDA cores, enhanced memory bandwidth, and support for advanced technologies like DirectX 12 and NVIDIA’s proprietary technologies such as GeForce Experience and ShadowPlay.
Release Date of the GTX 960M
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M was officially released on March 12, 2015. This release was part of a broader launch of the GeForce 900M series, which included other models like the GTX 950M, GTX 965M, and GTX 970M. The GTX 960M was positioned as a mid-range GPU, offering a balance between performance and power consumption, making it suitable for a wide range of laptops, from thin and light ultrabooks to more powerful gaming notebooks.
Key Features of the GTX 960M
The GTX 960M came with several key features that enhanced its performance and usability. Some of the notable features include:
– Maxwell Architecture: Providing improved performance and power efficiency.
– 640 CUDA Cores: Offering enhanced processing power for games and applications.
– 5 GHz Memory Speed: Ensuring fast data transfer and reduced latency.
– Support for DirectX 12: Allowing for better performance in games that utilize DirectX 12.
– NVIDIA GeForce Experience: Providing an easy way to keep drivers up to date and optimize game settings.
– NVIDIA ShadowPlay: Enabling the recording of gameplay without significant performance impact.
Performance of the GTX 960M
The performance of the GTX 960M was a significant improvement over its predecessors, such as the GTX 860M. It was capable of running modern games at high settings, albeit at lower resolutions such as 1366×768 or 1600×900. For more demanding games or higher resolutions, users might need to adjust the graphics settings to achieve smooth frame rates. The GTX 960M was also well-suited for general computing tasks, video playback, and content creation, thanks to its efficient architecture and feature set.
Comparison with Other GPUs
In comparison to other GPUs in its class, the GTX 960M offered competitive performance. It was generally faster than AMD’s Radeon R9 M275 and R9 M285, which were part of the competition at the time of its release. However, the performance gap between the GTX 960M and higher-end models like the GTX 965M and GTX 970M was noticeable, especially in more demanding games and applications.
Benchmarks and Real-World Performance
Benchmarks and real-world tests showed that the GTX 960M could handle a variety of tasks with ease. In 3DMark tests, it scored competitively against other mid-range GPUs of its time. In real-world gaming, it could run games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and World of Warcraft at high frame rates, even at higher graphics settings. For more demanding titles like Assassin’s Creed and Batman: Arkham Knight, it might require reducing some graphics settings to maintain smooth gameplay.
Conclusion
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M was a significant release in the laptop GPU market, offering a balance of performance, power efficiency, and features that appealed to both gamers and general users. Released on March 12, 2015, it was part of NVIDIA’s effort to bring high-quality gaming and computing experiences to laptops. With its Maxwell architecture, enhanced CUDA cores, and support for advanced technologies, the GTX 960M was well-positioned in the mid-range segment, competing effectively with AMD’s offerings. While it has been surpassed by newer generations of GPUs, the GTX 960M remains an important part of NVIDIA’s history and a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation and performance in the graphics processing unit market.
Legacy and Impact
The legacy of the GTX 960M can be seen in the subsequent generations of NVIDIA GPUs, which continued to build upon the foundations laid by the Maxwell architecture. The Pascal and Turing architectures that followed introduced even more significant improvements in performance, power efficiency, and features, further solidifying NVIDIA’s position in the market. The impact of the GTX 960M is also evident in the broader adoption of laptops as viable gaming platforms, thanks in part to the balance of performance and portability it and other GPUs in its class provided.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M was a crucial release that marked an important step in the evolution of laptop GPUs. Its release date, features, and performance made it an attractive option for those seeking a powerful yet efficient graphics solution for their laptops. As technology continues to advance, the GTX 960M serves as a reminder of how far GPU technology has come and the significant role NVIDIA has played in shaping the modern computing and gaming landscape.
What is the release date of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M was released on March 12, 2015. This graphics processing unit (GPU) was part of NVIDIA’s GeForce 900M series, which was designed to provide improved performance and power efficiency for laptops. The release of the GTX 960M marked a significant milestone in the development of mobile graphics technology, offering users a more powerful and efficient solution for gaming and graphics-intensive applications.
The release of the GTX 960M was accompanied by a range of new features and technologies, including NVIDIA’s Maxwell architecture, which provided improved performance and power efficiency. The GPU also supported a range of advanced technologies, including DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.5, and NVIDIA’s proprietary technologies such as PhysX and CUDA. With its release, the GTX 960M quickly became a popular choice among laptop manufacturers and gamers, offering a powerful and efficient solution for a wide range of applications.
What are the key features of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M features a range of advanced technologies and specifications, including 640 CUDA cores, 40 texture mapping units, and 16 render outputs. The GPU also has a clock speed of 1096 MHz, with a boost clock speed of up to 1200 MHz. In terms of memory, the GTX 960M has 2 GB or 4 GB of GDDR5 memory, with a memory bandwidth of up to 80 GB/s. These features make the GTX 960M a powerful and efficient solution for gaming and graphics-intensive applications.
The GTX 960M also supports a range of advanced technologies, including NVIDIA’s GeForce Experience, which provides users with a range of tools and features to optimize their gaming experience. The GPU also supports NVIDIA’s BatteryBoost technology, which helps to improve battery life by reducing power consumption during gaming. Additionally, the GTX 960M supports a range of display technologies, including 4K resolution and NVIDIA’s G-Sync technology, which helps to reduce screen tearing and improve the overall gaming experience.
How does the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M perform in games?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M is a powerful and efficient GPU that offers excellent performance in a wide range of games. In terms of frame rates, the GTX 960M is capable of delivering smooth and responsive performance in games such as League of Legends, Dota 2, and World of Warcraft, with frame rates of up to 60 FPS or more. The GPU also performs well in more demanding games such as Assassin’s Creed Unity and The Witcher 3, with frame rates of up to 40 FPS or more.
The performance of the GTX 960M is also dependent on the specific laptop configuration and the settings used in each game. For example, the GPU may perform better in laptops with faster processors and more memory, and may also benefit from the use of NVIDIA’s GeForce Experience software, which can help to optimize game settings and improve performance. Overall, the GTX 960M is a powerful and efficient GPU that offers excellent performance in a wide range of games, making it a popular choice among gamers and laptop manufacturers.
What is the power consumption of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M has a typical power consumption of around 50-60 watts, although this can vary depending on the specific laptop configuration and the workload. The GPU also has a range of power-saving features, including NVIDIA’s BatteryBoost technology, which helps to reduce power consumption during gaming. This technology works by dynamically adjusting the GPU’s clock speed and voltage to reduce power consumption, while also maintaining a smooth and responsive gaming experience.
The power consumption of the GTX 960M is also influenced by the specific laptop design and the components used. For example, laptops with more efficient cooling systems and lower-power components may be able to reduce the power consumption of the GTX 960M, while also improving its overall performance. Additionally, the GTX 960M supports a range of power-saving features, including NVIDIA’s Optimus technology, which helps to switch between the integrated and discrete GPUs to reduce power consumption and improve battery life.
Is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M compatible with DirectX 12?
Yes, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M is compatible with DirectX 12, which is a range of technologies developed by Microsoft to improve the performance and efficiency of games and graphics-intensive applications. The GTX 960M supports a range of DirectX 12 features, including multi-threaded rendering, which helps to improve performance in games that use multiple threads. The GPU also supports DirectX 12’s asynchronous compute technology, which helps to improve performance in games that use complex compute tasks.
The compatibility of the GTX 960M with DirectX 12 makes it an attractive option for gamers and developers who want to take advantage of the latest technologies and features. The GPU’s support for DirectX 12 also ensures that it will remain compatible with the latest games and applications, even as new technologies and features are developed. Additionally, the GTX 960M’s compatibility with DirectX 12 is also influenced by the specific laptop configuration and the operating system used, with Windows 10 providing the best support for DirectX 12 and its features.
Can the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M be used for professional applications?
Yes, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M can be used for a range of professional applications, including video editing, 3D modeling, and graphics design. The GPU’s powerful processing capabilities and advanced features make it an attractive option for professionals who need a reliable and efficient solution for their work. The GTX 960M also supports a range of professional applications, including Adobe Premiere Pro, Autodesk Maya, and SolidWorks, and is compatible with a range of operating systems, including Windows and Linux.
The GTX 960M’s performance in professional applications is also influenced by the specific laptop configuration and the settings used. For example, the GPU may perform better in laptops with faster processors and more memory, and may also benefit from the use of NVIDIA’s proprietary technologies, such as CUDA and OpenCL. Additionally, the GTX 960M’s compatibility with professional applications is also influenced by the specific software and drivers used, with NVIDIA providing a range of drivers and tools to support professional applications and workflows.