The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 is a popular mid-range graphics card that was released in 2015. It was designed to provide a balance between performance and power consumption, making it an attractive option for gamers who wanted to play the latest games at high settings without breaking the bank.
A Brief History of the GeForce GTX 950
The GeForce GTX 950 was announced by NVIDIA on August 20, 2015, and it was released to the public on August 20, 2015. It was based on the Maxwell architecture, which was a significant improvement over the previous Kepler architecture. The Maxwell architecture provided a number of improvements, including improved performance, reduced power consumption, and support for new technologies such as DirectX 12 and Vulkan.
Key Features of the GeForce GTX 950
The GeForce GTX 950 had a number of key features that made it an attractive option for gamers. Some of the key features include:
- 1024 CUDA Cores: The GeForce GTX 950 had 1024 CUDA cores, which provided a significant boost in performance compared to the previous generation.
- 2GB GDDR5 Memory: The GeForce GTX 950 had 2GB of GDDR5 memory, which provided fast memory bandwidth and low power consumption.
- 128-Bit Memory Bus: The GeForce GTX 950 had a 128-bit memory bus, which provided a fast connection between the GPU and the memory.
- Support for DirectX 12 and Vulkan: The GeForce GTX 950 supported DirectX 12 and Vulkan, which provided improved performance and reduced power consumption.
Performance of the GeForce GTX 950
The GeForce GTX 950 provided excellent performance for its time. It was capable of playing the latest games at high settings, including games such as Assassin’s Creed: Unity, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and Grand Theft Auto V.
| Game | Resolution | Frames Per Second (FPS) |
|---|---|---|
| Assassin’s Creed: Unity | 1080p | 60-70 FPS |
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 1080p | 50-60 FPS |
| Grand Theft Auto V | 1080p | 60-70 FPS |
Power Consumption of the GeForce GTX 950
The GeForce GTX 950 had a relatively low power consumption compared to other graphics cards of its time. It had a TDP of 90W, which made it an attractive option for gamers who wanted to build a power-efficient gaming PC.
Comparison with Other Graphics Cards
The GeForce GTX 950 was compared to other graphics cards of its time, including the AMD Radeon R7 370 and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960. The GeForce GTX 950 provided better performance than the Radeon R7 370, but it was outperformed by the GeForce GTX 960.
Comparison with the Radeon R7 370
The GeForce GTX 950 provided better performance than the Radeon R7 370 in a number of games, including Assassin’s Creed: Unity and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
| Game | Resolution | GeForce GTX 950 FPS | Radeon R7 370 FPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin’s Creed: Unity | 1080p | 60-70 FPS | 40-50 FPS |
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 1080p | 50-60 FPS | 30-40 FPS |
Comparison with the GeForce GTX 960
The GeForce GTX 960 provided better performance than the GeForce GTX 950 in a number of games, including Grand Theft Auto V and Far Cry 4.
| Game | Resolution | GeForce GTX 960 FPS | GeForce GTX 950 FPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto V | 1080p | 70-80 FPS | 60-70 FPS |
| Far Cry 4 | 1080p | 60-70 FPS | 50-60 FPS |
Conclusion
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 was a popular mid-range graphics card that was released in 2015. It provided excellent performance for its time, and it was capable of playing the latest games at high settings. The GeForce GTX 950 had a relatively low power consumption, making it an attractive option for gamers who wanted to build a power-efficient gaming PC. While it was outperformed by the GeForce GTX 960, it provided better performance than the Radeon R7 370.
What is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 and what makes it a mid-range gaming GPU?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 is a mid-range graphics processing unit (GPU) designed for gaming computers. It is part of NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 900 series and is based on the Maxwell architecture. The GTX 950 is positioned between the entry-level GTX 750 and the high-end GTX 970, offering a balance between performance and price.
The GTX 950 features 768 CUDA cores, 48 ROPs, and 2GB of GDDR5 memory. It has a base clock speed of 1024 MHz and a boost clock speed of 1188 MHz. The GPU also supports DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.5, and Vulkan, making it compatible with a wide range of games and applications.
What are the key features of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 has several key features that make it an attractive option for mid-range gaming. One of its main features is its support for NVIDIA’s proprietary technologies such as PhysX, GeForce Experience, and ShadowPlay. The GPU also features NVIDIA’s Dynamic Super Resolution (DSR) technology, which allows for improved image quality and performance.
Another key feature of the GTX 950 is its power efficiency. The GPU has a TDP of 90W, which is relatively low compared to other mid-range GPUs. This makes it an ideal option for those who want to build a gaming PC without breaking the bank or worrying about high power consumption.
How does the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 perform in games?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 is capable of delivering smooth performance in a wide range of games at 1080p resolution. In games such as League of Legends, Dota 2, and Overwatch, the GTX 950 can deliver frame rates of over 60 FPS. In more demanding games such as Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and The Witcher 3, the GTX 950 can deliver frame rates of around 40-50 FPS.
However, the GTX 950 may struggle with more demanding games at higher resolutions. At 1440p or 4K resolution, the GTX 950 may not be able to deliver the same level of performance as more powerful GPUs. Nevertheless, the GTX 950 remains a solid option for those who want to play games at 1080p resolution.
Is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 compatible with my computer?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 is compatible with most modern computers that have a PCIe x16 slot. The GPU requires a minimum of 300W power supply and a 6-pin power connector. It also requires a 64-bit operating system, such as Windows 10 or Linux.
In terms of motherboard compatibility, the GTX 950 is compatible with most motherboards that support PCIe 3.0. However, it’s always best to check with the motherboard manufacturer to ensure compatibility before making a purchase.
How does the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 compare to other mid-range GPUs?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 is a solid mid-range GPU that competes with other GPUs such as the AMD Radeon R9 370 and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960. In terms of performance, the GTX 950 is generally faster than the R9 370 but slower than the GTX 960.
However, the GTX 950 has a lower power consumption than the R9 370 and is generally more power-efficient than the GTX 960. The GTX 950 also has a lower price point than the GTX 960, making it a more affordable option for those on a budget.
Can I overclock the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950?
Yes, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 can be overclocked using software such as EVGA’s Precision XOC or MSI’s Afterburner. Overclocking the GTX 950 can result in improved performance in games and applications.
However, overclocking also increases the risk of overheating and reducing the lifespan of the GPU. It’s essential to monitor the GPU’s temperature and adjust the overclocking settings accordingly. It’s also recommended to use a high-quality cooling system to keep the GPU at a safe temperature.
Is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 still a good option for gaming in 2023?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 is an older GPU that was released in 2015. While it was a solid mid-range option at the time of its release, it may not be the best option for gaming in 2023.
The GTX 950 may struggle with more demanding games at higher resolutions, and it may not support the latest graphics technologies such as ray tracing and artificial intelligence-enhanced graphics. However, the GTX 950 can still deliver smooth performance in less demanding games and applications, making it a viable option for those on a tight budget or with older systems.