The GeForce GTX 960M is a popular mid-range graphics card from NVIDIA, widely used in gaming laptops. Released in 2015, it was a significant upgrade to its predecessor, the GTX 860M, offering improved performance and power efficiency. If you’re a gamer looking to upgrade your laptop or purchase a new one with a GTX 960M, you’re probably wondering what games it can run smoothly. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of gaming with the GeForce GTX 960M, exploring its capabilities, and highlighting some of the most popular games it can handle.
Understanding The GeForce GTX 960M
Before we dive into the games, let’s take a closer look at the GeForce GTX 960M’s specifications. This graphics card is based on the Maxwell architecture, which provides a significant boost in performance and power efficiency compared to the previous Kepler architecture. The GTX 960M features 640 CUDA cores, 40 ROPs, and 80 texture units, with a clock speed of 1096 MHz. It also comes with 2 GB or 4 GB of GDDR5 memory, depending on the variant.
Performance Benchmarks
To give you a better idea of the GeForce GTX 960M’s performance, let’s look at some benchmarks. In 3DMark Fire Strike, the GTX 960M scores around 4,500 points, which is comparable to the desktop GeForce GTX 750. In Unigine Heaven 4.0, it achieves an average frame rate of 30 FPS at 1080p resolution with medium graphics settings.
Games That Can Run On GeForce GTX 960M
Now that we’ve explored the GeForce GTX 960M’s specifications and performance, let’s move on to the games it can run. We’ll cover a wide range of genres, from first-person shooters to role-playing games, and highlight the graphics settings you can expect to achieve.
First-Person Shooters
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive: This popular multiplayer shooter runs smoothly on the GTX 960M, with frame rates exceeding 60 FPS at 1080p resolution with high graphics settings.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III: With medium graphics settings, you can expect an average frame rate of 40 FPS at 1080p resolution.
Role-Playing Games
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: This critically acclaimed RPG runs at an average frame rate of 30 FPS at 1080p resolution with medium graphics settings.
- Dragon Age: Inquisition: With high graphics settings, you can expect an average frame rate of 25 FPS at 1080p resolution.
Strategy Games
- StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty: This popular real-time strategy game runs smoothly on the GTX 960M, with frame rates exceeding 60 FPS at 1080p resolution with high graphics settings.
- Company of Heroes 2: With medium graphics settings, you can expect an average frame rate of 40 FPS at 1080p resolution.
Sports Games
- FIFA 15: This popular soccer game runs at an average frame rate of 50 FPS at 1080p resolution with high graphics settings.
- NBA 2K15: With medium graphics settings, you can expect an average frame rate of 40 FPS at 1080p resolution.
Graphics Settings For Popular Games
To give you a better idea of the graphics settings you can achieve with the GeForce GTX 960M, we’ve compiled a table with some popular games.
| Game | Resolution | Graphics Settings | Frame Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | 1080p | High | 60 FPS |
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 1080p | Medium | 30 FPS |
| StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty | 1080p | High | 60 FPS |
| FIFA 15 | 1080p | High | 50 FPS |
Upgrading Your GeForce GTX 960M
If you’re looking to upgrade your GeForce GTX 960M, there are a few options available. You can consider upgrading to a higher-end graphics card, such as the GeForce GTX 970M or GTX 980M, which offer significant performance improvements. Alternatively, you can upgrade your laptop’s processor, RAM, or storage to improve overall system performance.
Overclocking Your GeForce GTX 960M
Overclocking your GeForce GTX 960M can also provide a performance boost. You can use software tools like MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision XOC to overclock your graphics card. However, be careful not to overdo it, as excessive overclocking can lead to system instability and reduced lifespan.
Conclusion
The GeForce GTX 960M is a powerful mid-range graphics card that can handle a wide range of games at high graphics settings. With its Maxwell architecture and 640 CUDA cores, it provides a significant boost in performance and power efficiency compared to its predecessor. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a serious enthusiast, the GeForce GTX 960M is a great option for gaming laptops. By understanding its capabilities and limitations, you can make informed decisions when purchasing a gaming laptop or upgrading your existing one.
What Is The GeForce GTX 960M And What Makes It A Popular Choice For Gaming Laptops?
The GeForce GTX 960M is a high-performance graphics processing unit (GPU) designed by NVIDIA for gaming laptops. It is a popular choice among gamers due to its ability to deliver smooth and fast performance in a wide range of games. The GTX 960M is based on the Maxwell architecture, which provides a significant boost in performance and power efficiency compared to its predecessors.
The GTX 960M features 640 CUDA cores, 40 ROPs, and 80 texture mapping units, making it a powerful GPU for its class. It also supports advanced technologies such as NVIDIA’s BatteryBoost, which helps to extend battery life while gaming on the go. Additionally, the GTX 960M is compatible with a wide range of games, including popular titles such as Fortnite, League of Legends, and Overwatch.
What Are The Key Features Of The GeForce GTX 960M That Make It Suitable For Gaming?
The GeForce GTX 960M has several key features that make it suitable for gaming. One of its most notable features is its high clock speed, which allows it to handle demanding games with ease. The GTX 960M also features NVIDIA’s proprietary technologies such as PhysX, which provides realistic physics simulations, and TXAA, which offers advanced anti-aliasing techniques.
Another key feature of the GTX 960M is its support for DirectX 12, which provides improved performance and reduced power consumption. The GTX 960M also features NVIDIA’s GeForce Experience software, which allows users to optimize their gaming settings and update their drivers with ease. Additionally, the GTX 960M is compatible with a wide range of display resolutions, including 4K and QHD.
How Does The GeForce GTX 960M Compare To Other GPUs In Its Class?
The GeForce GTX 960M is a high-performance GPU that compares favorably to other GPUs in its class. In terms of performance, the GTX 960M is generally faster than its competitors, including the AMD Radeon R9 M395X. The GTX 960M also has a lower power consumption than many of its competitors, making it a more efficient choice for gaming laptops.
In terms of features, the GTX 960M is also competitive with other GPUs in its class. It supports many of the same technologies as its competitors, including DirectX 12 and Vulkan. However, the GTX 960M has a few unique features, such as NVIDIA’s BatteryBoost technology, which sets it apart from its competitors.
What Types Of Games Can The GeForce GTX 960M Handle?
The GeForce GTX 960M is capable of handling a wide range of games, including popular titles such as Fortnite, League of Legends, and Overwatch. It can also handle more demanding games such as The Witcher 3 and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, although it may require some compromises in terms of graphics settings.
In general, the GTX 960M is well-suited for games that require a balance of performance and power efficiency. It is particularly well-suited for games that use NVIDIA’s proprietary technologies, such as PhysX and TXAA. However, it may struggle with games that require extremely high levels of performance, such as 4K gaming.
How Can I Optimize My GeForce GTX 960M For Gaming?
To optimize your GeForce GTX 960M for gaming, there are several steps you can take. First, make sure that your drivers are up to date, as this can help to improve performance and fix any bugs. You can update your drivers using NVIDIA’s GeForce Experience software.
You can also optimize your graphics settings to get the best performance out of your GTX 960M. This may involve reducing the resolution or turning off certain graphics features, such as anti-aliasing or motion blur. Additionally, you can use NVIDIA’s GeForce Experience software to optimize your gaming settings and find the best balance between performance and image quality.
Can The GeForce GTX 960M Handle 4K Gaming?
The GeForce GTX 960M is capable of handling 4K gaming, but it may require some compromises in terms of graphics settings. The GTX 960M can handle 4K resolutions at lower frame rates, but it may struggle to maintain high frame rates at higher resolutions.
To get the best performance out of your GTX 960M at 4K resolutions, you may need to reduce the graphics settings or turn off certain features, such as anti-aliasing or motion blur. Additionally, you can use NVIDIA’s GeForce Experience software to optimize your gaming settings and find the best balance between performance and image quality.
Is The GeForce GTX 960M Still A Good Choice For Gaming In 2023?
The GeForce GTX 960M is still a good choice for gaming in 2023, although it may not be the most powerful option available. The GTX 960M is an older GPU, and it has been surpassed by newer models such as the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti and the GeForce RTX 2060.
However, the GTX 960M is still a capable GPU that can handle a wide range of games, including popular titles such as Fortnite and League of Legends. It is also a relatively affordable option, making it a good choice for budget-conscious gamers. Additionally, the GTX 960M is still supported by NVIDIA, which means that it will continue to receive driver updates and support for the foreseeable future.