NVIDIA GTX 950 2GB Graphics Card

NVIDIA's GTX 950 2GB card was launched in August 2015 and is part of the GeForce 900 series. It's also built on the Maxwell architecture, known for its excellent power efficiency and performance-per-watt ratio. Compared to the GTX 750 Ti, this card comes with more CUDA cores and better memory bandwidth, giving it a step-up in performance over its older sibling.

This card is specifically designed for gaming at medium to high settings at 1080p resolution. It delivers smooth performance in esports titles like League of Legends, Dota 2, and CS:GO, and can even run some lightweight AAA games with a little adjustment of settings. However, the 2GB of VRAM makes it a bit limited at high settings in newer and heavier games.

Performance and Architecture

The GTX 950's base clock ranges from 1024-1089 MHz to 1188-1266 MHz, with slightly different models and brands (ASUS, MSI, ZOTAC, GIGABYTE). The card features 768 CUDA Cores, 48 ​​Texture Units, and 32 ROPs. Support for DirectX 12 (feature level 12_1) and OpenGL 4.5 makes it well-compatible with modern APIs.

In terms of power, this card draws around 90W to 150W (depending on the variant) and requires a 6-pin power connector. Recommended power supplies range from 300W to 400W, which is easily available in most standard budget PSUs.

Memory and memory bandwidth

This card features 2GB of GDDR5 video memory, running at an effective speed of 6610 MHz over a 128-bit memory interface. This provides memory bandwidth of up to 105.76 GB/s, which is significantly better than the GTX 750 Ti. This allows this card to deliver smoother frame rates than the GTX 750 Ti, even in texture-heavy games.

Display Output and Connectivity

The GTX 950 features DisplayPort 1.2 (4K @ 60Hz), HDMI 2.0 (4K @ 60Hz), and Dual-Link DVI outputs. This allows the card to support up to a Quad Display setup, which is useful for multi-monitor work or streaming setups. The PCI Express 3.0 x16 interface allows the card to easily fit into any modern motherboard.

Another special thing is that GTX 950 also supports 2-way SLI configuration, which means if a user wants to increase performance by connecting two cards, then that option is also available, although nowadays the use of SLI has become quite limited.

Cooling and Build

Most variants feature a single 90mm fan cooling solution, while some brands like MSI and ASUS have also launched custom models with dual-fan coolers that offer better airflow and silent operation. The card measures around 174mm in length, allowing it to fit comfortably in most Micro-ATX and ATX cabinets.

Things to keep in mind during installation

Ensure the card is properly seated in its PCIe x16 slot and the 6-pin power connector is connected, as the card will not boot without it. The motherboard and PSU must have a minimum of 300-400W. Since this is an older card, download drivers from NVIDIA's legacy driver list, as the latest driver versions do not support this card.

Who is this graphics card for?

The GTX 950 2GB is a good option for users looking for 1080p esports gaming or a light AAA gaming experience on a budget. It's also ideal for upgrading older systems, especially those with a 300W+ PSU. For newer, more heavy-duty games or high-resolution gaming, it's best to consider more modern cards.

GTX 950 2GB Specifications Table

GTX 950 2GB Price (New vs Second-Hand)

Note: This card is also an older model, launched in 2015 and no longer officially in production, so finding a "new" unit is difficult. The second-hand market is the most common and affordable way to purchase this card. Be sure to check the condition of the card and its cooling fan before purchasing.