GeForce GTX 1050 vs GeForce GTX 960M

When comparing GeForce GTX 1050 and GeForce GTX 960M, we look primarily at benchmarks and game tests. But it is not only about the numbers. Often you can find third-party models with higher clock speeds, better cooling, or a customizable RGB lighting. Not all of them will have all the features you need. Another thing to consider is the port selection. Most graphics cards have at least one DisplayPort and HDMI interface, but some monitors require DVI. Before you buy, check the TDP of the graphics card - this characteristic will help you estimate the consumption of the graphics card. You may even have to upgrade your PSU to meet its requirements. An important factor when choosing between GeForce GTX 1050 and GeForce GTX 960M is the price. Does the additional cost justify the performance hit? Our comparison should help you make the right decision.

GeForce GTX 960M is a Laptop Graphics Card

Note: GeForce GTX 960M is only used in laptop graphics. It has lower GPU clock speed compared to the desktop variant, which results in lower power consumption, but also 10-30% lower gaming performance. Check available laptop models with GeForce GTX 960M here:

Main Specs

  GeForce GTX 1050 GeForce GTX 960M
Power consumption (TDP) 75 Watt 75 Watt
Interface PCIe 3.0 x16 MXM-B (3.0)
Supplementary power connectors None
Memory type GDDR5 GDDR5
Maximum RAM amount 4 GB 4 GB
Display Connectors 1x DVI, 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort No outputs
Recommended system power (PSU) 300 Watt
  Check Price Check Price
  • Both graphics cards have the same power consumption of 75 Watt.
  • GeForce GTX 1050 is connected by PCIe 3.0 x16, and GeForce GTX 960M uses MXM-B (3.0) interface.
  • GeForce GTX 1050 and GeForce GTX 960M have maximum RAM of 4 GB.
  • GeForce GTX 1050 is used in Desktops, and GeForce GTX 960M - in Laptops.
  • GeForce GTX 1050 is build with Pascal architecture, and GeForce GTX 960M - with Maxwell.
  • Core clock speed of GeForce GTX 1050 is 194 MHz higher, than GeForce GTX 960M.
  • GeForce GTX 1050 is manufactured by 14 nm process technology, and GeForce GTX 960M - by 28 nm process technology.
  • Memory clock speed of GeForce GTX 1050 is 4508 MHz higher, than GeForce GTX 960M.

Game benchmarks

high / 1080p 35−40 18−20
ultra / 1080p 21−24 10−11
QHD / 1440p 16−18 4−5
4K / 2160p 10−11 4−5
low / 720p 60−65 35−40
medium / 1080p 40−45 21−24
The average gaming FPS of GeForce GTX 1050 in Assassin's Creed Odyssey is 100% more, than GeForce GTX 960M.

Full Specs

  GeForce GTX 1050 GeForce GTX 960M
Architecture Pascal Maxwell
Code name N17P-G1 N16P-GX
Type Desktop Laptop
Release date 25 October 2016 12 March 2015
Pipelines 640 640
Core clock speed 1290 MHz 1096 MHz
Boost Clock 1392 MHz 1202 MHz
Transistor count 3,300 million 1,870 million
Manufacturing process technology 14 nm 28 nm
Texture fill rate 58.20 47.04
Floating-point performance 1,862 gflops 1,505 gflops
Length 5.7" (14.5 cm)
Memory bus width 128 Bit 128 Bit
Memory clock speed 7008 MHz 2500 MHz
Memory bandwidth 112 GB/s 80 GB/s
Shared memory - -
G-SYNC support +
VR Ready +
DirectX 12 (12_1) 12 (11_0)
Shader Model 6.4 5.1
OpenGL 4.5 4.5
OpenCL 1.2 1.2
Vulkan 1.2.131 1.1.126
CUDA + +
Monero / XMR (CryptoNight) 0.3 kh/s
CUDA cores 640 640
Bus support PCIe 3.0 PCI Express 3.0
Height 4.38" (11.1 cm)
SLI options +
Multi monitor support +
HDMI +
HDCP 2.2
Bitcoin / BTC (SHA256) 279 Mh/s 175 Mh/s
Laptop size medium sized
DisplayPort Multimode (DP++) support +
H.264, VC1, MPEG2 1080p video decoder +
Optimus +
Decred / DCR (Decred) 0.85 Gh/s
Zcash / ZEC (Equihash) 143.76 Sol/s
Width 2-slot
GameStream + +
GeForce ShadowPlay +
GPU Boost 3.0 2.0
GameWorks +
BatteryBoost +
SLI -
  Check Price Check Price