Geforce GTX 1050 vs GeForce GTX 960
On performance, the Geforce GTX 1050 and GeForce GTX 960 are effectively a dead heat — under a few percent apart. It is also the stronger value pick here, so it's the easy recommendation if your budget allows.
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Geforce GTX 1050 vs GeForce GTX 960: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: Geforce GTX 1050 vs GeForce GTX 960
The Geforce GTX 1050 and GeForce GTX 960 post nearly the same score in our performance index, so neither holds a meaningful raw-speed advantage. Both are best suited to entry-level 1080p gaming.
Price & Value
Right now the Geforce GTX 1050 starts at $210 EUR against $333 EUR for the GeForce GTX 960. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the Geforce GTX 1050 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 59%. The Geforce GTX 1050 still sits about $101 EUR above its $109 EUR MSRP. The GeForce GTX 960 still sits about $134 EUR above its $199 EUR MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
The Geforce GTX 1050 sips power at 75W next to the GeForce GTX 960's 120W, and still leads on performance-per-watt — quieter, cooler, and gentler on your PSU. Its more modern Pascal architecture on a Samsung 14nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
Which should you buy: Geforce GTX 1050 or GeForce GTX 960?
The Geforce GTX 1050 is the all-round winner here — it's faster and the better value, so buy it if it fits your budget. Only consider the GeForce GTX 960 if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Geforce GTX 1050 better than the GeForce GTX 960?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the Geforce GTX 1050 or the GeForce GTX 960?
Is the GeForce GTX 960 worth the extra $123 EUR over the Geforce GTX 1050?
Which should you buy: Geforce GTX 1050 or GeForce GTX 960?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | Geforce GTX 1050 | GeForce GTX 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal | Maxwell |
| Process Node | Samsung 14nm | TSMC 28nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 640 | 1,024✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | Geforce GTX 1050 | GeForce GTX 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,354 MHz✓ | 1,127 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,455 MHz✓ | 1,178 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | Geforce GTX 1050 | GeForce GTX 960 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bus | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 7 Gbps | 7 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 112 GB/s | 112 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | Geforce GTX 1050 | GeForce GTX 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 75 W✓ | 120 W |
| Power Connectors | None | 1x 6-pin |
| Released | Oct 2016 | Jan 2015 |