MSI Announces GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 4GB Graphics Card

[btarunr]

MSI is excited to announce the new GTX 960 GAMING 4G, a sturdy new member of the MSI GAMING graphics cards lineup. This new card is equipped with 4GB of GDDR5 memory and ready to meet the ever increasing demand from next generation games with high definition content.

The new GTX 960 GAMING 4G is fitted with a metal backplate to complement the striking appearance of the renown Twin Frozr V graphics card cooler. This combination is sure to provide a solid, cool and silent gaming experience. A sample of the brand new card will be unveiled on the MSI booth during the Intel Extreme Masters event in Katowice, Poland. The Intel Extreme Masters are a series of international eSports tournaments held in various countries around the world. From 12 - 15 March, the World Championships of League of Legends and StarCraft II are being held in Katowice, where over 120.000 visitors are expected.



Twin Frozr V Thermal Design
The MSI Twin Frozr V thermal design is the pinnacle of graphics card air cooling. With a smaller than 2-slot design the Twin Frozr V is able to surpass previous generations by a large margin. The 10cm Torx fans ensure huge amounts of silent airflow and visually match the bold new look of the Twin Frozr V. The heatsink itself is re-organized through the SuperSU design which increases heatpipe efficiency, especially when combined with Airflow Control Technology. Hybrid Frozr is a throwback to 2008 when MSI was the first to market high-end, zero noise graphics cards thanks to fans that stop spinning in low-temperature situations.

MSI GAMING APP
With the addition of the GTX 960 GAMING 4G to the next generation of MSI GAMING graphics cards, MSI is levelling-up the PC gaming experience. The MSI GAMING App allows gamers to quickly switch between OC, Gaming and Silent modes, depending on their needs. Now featuring the EyeRest tab, which offers quick access to specific monitor color profiles for games, movies and a specific EyeRest mode which reduces blue light for less strain during nightly gaming sessions. Also featuring the LED control tab, allowing gamers to choose from 5 unique lighting modes to set the right ambience for their gaming moments with just one click.



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[rtwjunkie]

Inno 3D, Gigabyte, EVGA, and now MSI have all announcements made on 4GB 960's, but have yet to see any for sale yet.

 

[RazrLeaf]

MSI! WHY YOU NOT PUT THIS BACKPLATE ON 970 AND 980 GAMING?!?!?!

But seriously, that backplate is beautiful...I wonder if you can take the backplate off of the 970 and slap it on the 970...

 

[EarthDog]

4GB on a card that can't even drive 1080p properly... thanks?

 

[rtwjunkie]

4GB on a card that can't even drive 1080p properly... thanks?

Huh? Did you read W1zzard's review of the 960? At 1080 it was neck and neck with 770 in most tests, and came close to the 780 in a couple. Unless I'm completetly misremembering the review? Pretty darned good for a budget card. With newer games and near-future games, the 4GB will allow AA to still be used, and games that have alot of graphical mods can benefit too.

 

[EarthDog]

Perhaps I forgot how it performs?

EDIT: I did... its slower than a 770 and 7970... Its the price compared to the 280x/7970 that was the kick in the pants.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Perhaps I forgot how it performs?

EDIT: I did... its slower than a 770 and 7970... Its the price compared to the 280x/7970 that was the kick in the pants.

This is true, price could be alot better.

 

[Daemmon]

Perhaps I forgot how it performs?

EDIT: I did... its slower than a 770 and 7970... Its the price compared to the 280x/7970 that was the kick in the pants.

If you average most benchmarks it's: Between 760 and 770, and between 280 and 280x.

Without considering used or eventual promotions (that can happen in both cards, that's why I'm not considering them) the 280x is 40-60$ more expensive, with slightly more noise/heat/power consumption and some decent extra performance on certain scenarios.

Up to 1080p is a decent card, and in obscure markets like mine is a clear winner.

 

[Tallencor]

Cool card but not quite enough juice to upgrade too from my 7870xt. Am I wrong?

 

[rtwjunkie]

Cool card but not quite enough juice to upgrade too from my 7870xt. Am I wrong?

Nope. IMO, it would just be an incremental increase.

 

[AlienIsGOD]

i can afford this card, but i dont really see an upgrade to a 4gb 960 when my 680 is still doing fine.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Well, on the Nvidia side, it would have to be a 660 Ti and below to be much of an upgrade, and even the 660 Ti might be stretching it.

 

[64K]

i can afford this card, but i dont really see an upgrade to a 4gb 960 when my 680 is still doing fine.

It would actually be a small downgrade for you from a 680 to a 960 if comparing reference to reference and OC to OC

Spoiler: W1zzard's Benches

I had a GTX 680 before my 970 and it was doing just fine at 1080p in most games. The only reason I felt a need to upgrade to the 970 was because I went with a 1440p monitor.

 

[AlienIsGOD]

then i guess im saving for a 970 towards xmas

 

[EarthDog]

then i guess im saving for a 970 towards xmas

I'm going to imagine that there will be a better choice in 9 months...

 

[Sony Xperia S]

I'm going to imagine that there will be a better choice in 9 months...

But you already have the better choice with R9 290X.

4 GB for this card and 3.5 real GB + 0.5 fake ones for the 970?!

"Thanks" nvidia.

 

[PLAfiller]

DAT backplate...nuff said

 

[AlienIsGOD]

well im still at 1080P having just purchased a PLS Samsung 24" Monitor in the fall, so im pretty sure this 2GB card will do just fine for another year

 

[EarthDog]

On most titles... But not on the top AAA. BF4 uses well over 2GB at 1080p Ultra for example. Many others like that. 2GB is long in the tooth now honestly... assuming you like to play and have it look better than a console.

 

[AlienIsGOD]

On most titles... But not on the top AAA. BF4 uses well over 2GB at 1080p Ultra for example. Many others like that. 2GB is long in the tooth now honestly... assuming you like to play and have it look better than a console.

i only play a bit of BF4 and dont need ALL ultra settings, i mostly play Blizzard games atm and my card is doing just fine Dont have alot of cash to spend on games, so im not worried about the latest AAA titles either.

 

[Nabarun]

Now we're talking. I just hope the pricing isn't ridiculous. Now we just have to see what Asus brings. IIRC they did a LOT of models for the 760 - DCU-II, MARS, STRIKER... What's holding them from doing the same for the 960??