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Geforce GTX 1050 vs GeForce GTX 960

Quick Verdict

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 $65 USD against $110 USD for the GeForce GTX 960. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the Geforce GTX 1050 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 69%. The Geforce GTX 1050 is trading below its $109 USD MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce GTX 960 is trading below its $199 USD MSRP — a genuine deal.

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?

They're very close on raw performance. The Geforce GTX 1050 edges ahead on value, so price and availability should decide it.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the Geforce GTX 1050 or the GeForce GTX 960?

Neither is a dedicated 4K card; both are best at entry-level 1080p. For 4K you'd want a faster GPU, or lean on upscaling.

Is the GeForce GTX 960 worth the extra $45 USD over the Geforce GTX 1050?

Only if you need the extra performance or features; on pure value the Geforce GTX 1050 comes out ahead.

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.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

Architecture & Cores specifications comparison between Geforce GTX 1050 and GeForce GTX 960
SpecificationGeforce GTX 1050GeForce GTX 960
ArchitecturePascalMaxwell
Process NodeSamsung 14nmTSMC 28nm
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores)6401,024✓

Clock Speeds

Clock Speeds specifications comparison between Geforce GTX 1050 and GeForce GTX 960
SpecificationGeforce GTX 1050GeForce GTX 960
Base Clock1,354 MHz✓1,127 MHz
Boost Clock1,455 MHz✓1,178 MHz

Memory

Memory specifications comparison between Geforce GTX 1050 and GeForce GTX 960
SpecificationGeforce GTX 1050GeForce GTX 960
VRAM Capacity2 GB2 GB
Memory TypeGDDR5GDDR5
Memory Bus128-bit128-bit
Memory Speed7 Gbps7 Gbps
Bandwidth112 GB/s112 GB/s

Connectivity & Power

Connectivity & Power specifications comparison between Geforce GTX 1050 and GeForce GTX 960
SpecificationGeforce GTX 1050GeForce GTX 960
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
TDP75 W✓120 W
Power ConnectorsNone1x 6-pin
ReleasedOct 2016Jan 2015