Is the GTX 960 worth it for me?

[TheKurtster]

Hi all,

I was wondering if the GeForce GTX 960 would be worth it in my use case.

My use case includes the following:

• 1080p Gaming @ Very High - Ultra Settings (Minimum 48FPS) [More than 60FPS isn't needed as I only have a 60Hz monitor]
• Video Editing in Premiere Elements

I don't care to use things like DSR or Higher-End AA (MSAA, MFAA).

I have no plans to upgrade from 1080p for the foreseeable future.

I would be upgrading from a GTX 760.

I'm a bit of a graphics whore and like things turned up (Granted, who doesn't).

I mainly play the following games (@ 1080p):

• GTA V [Advanced Graphics aren't needed] (A game I play constantly)
• GMod
• H1Z1
• PAYDAY 2
• Euro Truck Simulator 2
• Watch_Dogs
• Black Mesa
• Sleeping Dogs
• Max Payne 3

 

EDIT: What about SLIing my 760?

[ShadowCaptain]

SNIP

 

For the money you can get a 280x, or maybe a 290/380 if you shop around, which has much better 1080p performance

 

 

(if you are a graphics whore you should totally look to upgrade form 1080p.. just saying)

[Mew]

I don't think the 960 is the sizeable upgrade you think it is. It usually is a horrible value when compared to the similarly performing R9 285 and the R9 280 which has more VRAM. I don't think it's worth upgrading your graphics card unless you can buy a graphics card that can at least double your current performance at the same price.

[Guest MinimalEffort]

Yeah, AMD would be the better option here. Any reason why you want 48 fps? Why not 47? Just seems a little specific to me

[TheKurtster]

For the money you can get a 280x, or maybe a 290/380 if you shop around, which has much better 1080p performance

 

 

(if you are a graphics whore you should totally look to upgrade form 1080p.. just saying)

 

I'm more concerned about getting more FPS and higher quality before getting higher than 1080p.

I haven't even considered looking at a 280X or 380 because I knew it was older hardware and was concerned that wouldn't necessarily be a good idea.

Plus the driver issues.

[TheKurtster]

Yeah, AMD would be the better option here. Any reason why you want 48 fps? Why not 47? Just seems a little specific to me

 

 

Just a standard for high frame rate that I've always liked as a minimum.

[TheKurtster]

I don't think the 960 is the sizeable upgrade you think it is. It usually is a horrible value when compared to the similarly performing R9 285 and the R9 280 which has more VRAM. I don't think it's worth upgrading your graphics card unless you can buy a graphics card that can at least double your current performance at the same price.

 

So, I should be going with AMD for the higher VRAM and similar performance?

Never thought of that.

[,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,]

I don't think the 960 is the sizeable upgrade you think it is. It usually is a horrible value when compared to the similarly performing R9 285 and the R9 280 which has more VRAM. I don't think it's worth upgrading your graphics card unless you can buy a graphics card that can at least double your current performance at the same price.

 

The whole vRAM thing with the 960 vs 280 with more vRAM is dumb since the 960 can hardly utilize all 2GB as its limited performance wise. I'd say sure buy based on vRAM if you had a 1440P monitor but why the hell would you run a 960 or 280 on 1440p. I would go for a 960 since I prefer nvidias software and efficiency but if you want pure performance then 280.

[ShadowCaptain]

I'm more concerned about getting more FPS and higher quality before getting higher than 1080p.

I haven't even considered looking at a 280X or 380 because I knew it was older hardware and was concerned that wouldn't necessarily be a good idea.

Plus the driver issues.

 

It might be "older" but its still way more powerful. What driver issues? AMD drivers are fine 99% of the time and besides the odd nvidia optimized title a 280x or similar will perform better in every game

 

Unless there are specific features you want from going camp nvidia, ie shadowplay, gamestream etc, (which are good)

 

The 960 is not capable of maxing out every game at 1080p 60

 

 

Well it comes down to budget, ultra 1440p is like a billion times nicer looking than 1080p, I just meant if you have the budget for a better GPU now, you could buy it, and save up for a monitor upgrade

[Notree]

I'm more concerned about getting more FPS and higher quality before getting higher than 1080p.

I haven't even considered looking at a 280X or 380 because I knew it was older hardware and was concerned that wouldn't necessarily be a good idea.

Plus the driver issues.

The 960 wont get you ultra settings at 1080p.. Neither will a 380 although it performs better then a 960 in most games. If you want ultra 1080p in the latest titles your looking at r9 390 or gtx 970.

[PineappleHolidays]

So, I should be going with AMD for the higher VRAM and similar performance?

Never thought of that.

Yes

the 960 is at a weird pricepoint.

 

Either get a R9 280x/285/380/290 etc at that pricepoint

[Mew]

So, I should be going with AMD for the higher VRAM and similar performance?

Never thought of that.

 

Games like GTA5 likes lots of vram. Besides, you can usually find the 280 for cheaper than you would the 960.

[Nena Trinity]

I would have gotten the 280X or the 380... (maybe even 4GB version of 380)

[JerkyMcDilerino]

Yes

the 960 is at a weird pricepoint.

 

Either get a R9 280x/285/380/290 etc at that pricepoint

I think the GTX 970 should be in there as well right?

[PineappleHolidays]

I think the GTX 970 should be in there as well right?

It's quite a bit above the GTX 960 pricepoint,

All the cards I stated can be gotten for around the price of the 960