The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M is a popular mid-range graphics card designed for laptops, released in 2015. It’s known for its balance between performance and power efficiency. On the other hand, Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) is a highly acclaimed, graphics-intensive game that demands a lot from a computer’s hardware. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of gaming and explore whether the GTX 960M can handle the demands of GTA 5.
Understanding The GTX 960M
The GTX 960M is based on the Maxwell architecture, which provides improved performance and power efficiency compared to its predecessors. It features 640 CUDA cores, 40 ROPs, and 80 texture units. The graphics card also comes with 2GB or 4GB of GDDR5 memory, depending on the variant. The GTX 960M has a memory bandwidth of 128 GB/s and a boost clock speed of up to 1176 MHz.
Key Features Of The GTX 960M
- DirectX 12 Support: The GTX 960M supports DirectX 12, which provides improved performance and reduced power consumption.
- NVIDIA BatteryBoost: This feature helps to reduce power consumption while gaming on laptops, resulting in longer battery life.
- NVIDIA GeForce Experience: The GTX 960M comes with the GeForce Experience software, which provides easy driver updates, game optimization, and more.
GTA 5 System Requirements
To determine whether the GTX 960M can run GTA 5, we need to look at the game’s system requirements. Here are the minimum and recommended system requirements for GTA 5:
| Component | Minimum Requirement | Recommended Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 8.1 64-bit, Windows 8 64-bit, Windows 7 64-bit Service Pack 1 | Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 8.1 64-bit, Windows 8 64-bit, Windows 7 64-bit Service Pack 1 |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40 GHz (4 CPUs) / AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs) @ 2.5 GHz | Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2 GHz (4 CPUs) / AMD X8 FX-8350 @ 4 GHz (8 CPUs) |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA 9800 GT 1GB / AMD HD 4870 1GB (DX 10, 10.1, 11) | NVIDIA GTX 660 2GB / AMD HD 7870 2GB (DX 10, 10.1, 11) |
| Storage | 72 GB available space | 72 GB available space |
Can The GTX 960M Meet The System Requirements?
Based on the system requirements, the GTX 960M meets the minimum graphics card requirement. However, it’s essential to note that the recommended graphics card requirement is a NVIDIA GTX 660 2GB or AMD HD 7870 2GB. The GTX 960M is a more modern graphics card with improved performance and power efficiency, but it’s still a mid-range graphics card.
Benchmarking The GTX 960M With GTA 5
To get a better understanding of the GTX 960M’s performance with GTA 5, let’s look at some benchmarking results. We’ll consider the game’s performance at different resolutions and graphics settings.
Low Settings (1080p, 30 FPS)
- The GTX 960M can handle GTA 5 at low settings (1080p, 30 FPS) with ease. The frame rate is smooth, and the game is playable.
- Average frame rate: 40-50 FPS
Medium Settings (1080p, 30 FPS)
- The GTX 960M can handle GTA 5 at medium settings (1080p, 30 FPS) with some minor frame rate drops. The game is still playable, but you may experience some occasional stuttering.
- Average frame rate: 30-40 FPS
High Settings (1080p, 30 FPS)
- The GTX 960M struggles to handle GTA 5 at high settings (1080p, 30 FPS). The frame rate is choppy, and the game is not playable.
- Average frame rate: 20-30 FPS
Ultra Settings (1080p, 30 FPS)
- The GTX 960M cannot handle GTA 5 at ultra settings (1080p, 30 FPS). The frame rate is extremely low, and the game is not playable.
- Average frame rate: 10-20 FPS
Conclusion
In conclusion, the GTX 960M can run GTA 5, but the performance depends on the graphics settings and resolution. At low settings (1080p, 30 FPS), the game is playable, and the frame rate is smooth. However, at higher settings, the GTX 960M struggles to maintain a smooth frame rate.
If you’re looking to play GTA 5 on a laptop with a GTX 960M, we recommend the following:
- Play the game at low or medium settings (1080p, 30 FPS) for a smooth gaming experience.
- Reduce the graphics settings if you experience frame rate drops or stuttering.
- Consider upgrading to a more powerful graphics card if you want to play the game at higher settings.
Overall, the GTX 960M is a capable mid-range graphics card that can handle GTA 5 at lower settings. However, if you’re looking for a more immersive gaming experience, you may want to consider a more powerful graphics card.
Can GTX 960M Run GTA 5?
The GTX 960M is a mid-range graphics card that was released in 2015. While it’s not the most powerful graphics card available, it’s still capable of running many modern games, including GTA 5. However, the performance may vary depending on the game settings and the laptop’s overall specifications.
To run GTA 5 smoothly, you’ll need to adjust the game settings to a level that your laptop’s hardware can handle. This may mean reducing the graphics quality, turning off some of the advanced features, or lowering the resolution. You can also try updating your graphics drivers to the latest version to ensure that you’re getting the best performance possible.
What Are The System Requirements For GTA 5?
The system requirements for GTA 5 vary depending on the level of graphics quality you want to achieve. For a smooth gaming experience, you’ll need a laptop with a dedicated graphics card, at least 4GB of RAM, and a recent-generation processor. The GTX 960M meets the minimum graphics card requirement, but you may need to upgrade your RAM or processor to achieve the best performance.
In terms of specific system requirements, GTA 5 recommends a graphics card with at least 2GB of video memory, a processor with at least 2.4GHz clock speed, and 8GB of RAM. You’ll also need a 64-bit version of Windows 7 or later, and a minimum of 72GB of free disk space.
How To Optimize GTA 5 For GTX 960M?
To optimize GTA 5 for the GTX 960M, you’ll need to adjust the game settings to a level that your laptop’s hardware can handle. Start by reducing the graphics quality to a lower setting, such as “medium” or “low”. You can also turn off some of the advanced features, such as anti-aliasing or motion blur, to improve performance.
Another way to optimize GTA 5 is to adjust the resolution. If you’re playing on a laptop with a lower-resolution display, you may be able to get away with a higher graphics quality setting. However, if you’re playing on a higher-resolution display, you may need to reduce the graphics quality to achieve a smooth frame rate.
What Is The Average FPS For GTX 960M In GTA 5?
The average FPS (frames per second) for the GTX 960M in GTA 5 will depend on the game settings and the laptop’s overall specifications. However, based on benchmarks and user reports, here are some approximate FPS ranges for the GTX 960M in GTA 5:
At low graphics settings, the GTX 960M can achieve an average FPS of around 40-50. At medium graphics settings, the average FPS drops to around 30-40. At high graphics settings, the average FPS is typically around 20-30.
Can I Upgrade My Laptop’s Graphics Card To Improve GTA 5 Performance?
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to upgrade a laptop’s graphics card in most cases. Laptops have integrated graphics cards that are soldered onto the motherboard, making it difficult or impossible to upgrade. However, you can try updating your graphics drivers to the latest version to ensure that you’re getting the best performance possible.
If you’re looking to upgrade your laptop’s hardware to improve GTA 5 performance, you may want to consider upgrading your RAM or processor instead. Adding more RAM or upgrading to a faster processor can help improve overall system performance and may also improve gaming performance.
Is GTX 960M Still A Good Graphics Card For Gaming?
The GTX 960M is an older graphics card that was released in 2015. While it’s still capable of running many modern games, it’s not as powerful as newer graphics cards. If you’re looking to play the latest games at high graphics settings, you may want to consider upgrading to a newer graphics card.
However, if you’re looking to play older games or games that don’t require high-end graphics, the GTX 960M can still be a good option. It’s also worth noting that the GTX 960M is a relatively power-efficient graphics card, which can be beneficial for laptops.
What Are Some Alternatives To GTX 960M For GTA 5?
If you’re looking for alternatives to the GTX 960M for playing GTA 5, here are a few options to consider:
The GTX 970M is a more powerful graphics card that can provide better performance in GTA 5. The GTX 980M is another option that can provide even better performance. If you’re looking for a more modern graphics card, you may want to consider the GTX 1660 Ti or the RTX 2060.
Keep in mind that these graphics cards may require a more powerful laptop to run, and may also require more power to operate.