The Future of GTX 960M: Performance Trends and Upgrades
The NVIDIA GTX 960M is a mobile graphics card that was released in early 2015. While it was a significant improvement over its predecessors, it now finds itself at the end of its useful life in the gaming and high-performance segments. This article delves into the current and future relevance of the GTX 960M, potential replacements, and how to plan for the evolution of gaming technology.
Performance and Relevance
The GTX 960M is still capable of running many older games and less demanding titles at reasonable settings. However, for modern AAA games or graphically intensive applications, it will struggle to deliver satisfactory performance. As game developers continue to push the boundaries of graphics and performance, the GTX 960M will become increasingly obsolete.
While the GTX 960M can still function for basic tasks, its future in gaming and high-performance applications is limited. Users will need to consider transitioning to newer hardware to stay current with the evolving software landscape.
Gaming Trends
With each passing year, new generations of GPUs offer significantly better performance, power efficiency, and support for advanced technologies like ray tracing and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). Recent models, such as the GTX 1060, 16 series, 20 series, and even the 30 series, offer substantial improvements over the GTX 960M.
For example, the GTX 1060, while still relatively powerful, is about 3-5% weaker than a desktop 1060 due to power consumption issues. Nonetheless, it offers a considerable leap in performance over the GTX 960M. For users who are not yet ready to upgrade, the GTX 1060 can likely hold out until the advent of the 11 series, which is expected to launch around 2020.
Market Position and Upgrades
The GTX 960M will likely remain in the budget or entry-level segment for used laptops and older systems. It may still be suitable for casual gaming, light productivity tasks, and multimedia consumption. Nevertheless, those looking for improved gaming performance or capabilities should consider upgrading to more recent GPUs such as those from the NVIDIA GTX 16 series, RTX 20 series, or even the RTX 30 series, depending on their budget and performance needs.
It's essential to plan for the future when upgrading your GPU. While the GTX 960M may work for your current needs, it's important to keep an eye on the latest trends in gaming technology. As game developers continue to enhance their graphics and optimization, the performance gap between GPUs will only widen.
Conclusion
In summary, the GTX 960M is nearing the end of its useful life for serious gaming and high-performance tasks. Users should look to upgrade if they want to stay current with gaming technology. By planning ahead and understanding the trends in GPU performance, users can make informed decisions to ensure they have the best gaming experience possible.