EVGA Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 SC 2GB Review

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In this article, I give you my EVGA Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 SC 2GB review with specs included. Right away, I can tell you that this is the deal of all Nvidia 9th-generation graphics cards.

This is the GeForce GTX 960 Superclocked graphics card, and most computer gamers should buy this card. It is the best value in the business today, and I mean that in every sense of the word. It is the best performance per dollar on the market, as 60 series of every generation usually are.

If you want to play modern games like Battlefield, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, Assassin’s Creed, Witcher, the new Division that just came out, etc. If you want to play modern AAA game titles like that and you want to play them at a high frame rate (we’re talking 40, 50, 60 frames per second) at 1080p with the graphic detail turned up to High, this is your card.

Yes, you can spend more, but you don’t actually get that much for it, and if you spend less, the performance falls off for your money. This is kind of the sweet spot of gaming.

Let me give you two examples. This (the GTX 960) card is 180 dollars on Amazon. The GTX 950 is $150 dollars on Amazon, which is 15% less money, but it’s 25% less performance. That’s not a good deal: 25% less performance for only 15% less money, just no. You’re actually getting less for your money as you spend less.

Now, going the other direction, the card up from this would be the GTX 970; it’s a 320 dollar card. So, it’s almost not quite double the cost of this, but it’s not double the performance, at least not at 1080p; it changes when you want to go to a higher resolution. This article is all about 1080p, and this card is all about 1080p.

EVGA GTX 960 2GB SC
EVGA GTX 960 2GB SC Ports

Designed for Smooth 1080p Gaming

The GTX 960 SC is built specifically for 1080p gaming. A Full HD resolution of 1920×1080 contains roughly 2 million pixels, making it the standard resolution for most modern TVs and computer monitors. While higher resolutions such as 1440p and 4K exist, this graphics card is intended for gamers who primarily play at 1080p.

If you’re using a lower-resolution display, such as 1600×900 or 1680×1050, the card performs even better. However, the GTX 960 truly shines when paired with a Full HD monitor.

A Great Upgrade for Pre-Built PCs

One of the best uses for the GTX 960 is upgrading a pre-built desktop from manufacturers such as Dell, HP, or ASUS.

Many systems in the $300–$600 range include capable processors, adequate memory, and decent storage, but they often rely on integrated graphics or entry-level graphics cards that struggle with modern games.

Cards such as the GT 710, GT 730, AMD R7 240, or even the R7 250 can technically run games, but performance is very limited. The GTX 960 delivers a dramatic improvement, often offering several times the gaming performance of those entry-level options.

For example, a game like Tomb Raider can run at 1080p with High or Ultra settings at approximately 60 FPS on the GTX 960, while lower-end cards may struggle to reach even 15 FPS under the same conditions.

Excellent Value for Custom Gaming Systems

The GTX 960 is also an excellent choice for custom-built PCs or systems from builders such as iBUYPOWER and CyberPowerPC.

Many preconfigured gaming systems advertise attractive prices but often cut costs by including very weak graphics cards. Upgrading one of these machines with a GTX 960 can transform it into a capable gaming platform for significantly less money than purchasing a high-end gaming PC outright.

A budget desktop combined with a GTX 960 can provide a strong gaming experience while keeping overall costs relatively affordable.

Why EVGA?

While manufacturers like MSI and Gigabyte Technology also produce quality graphics cards, EVGA has earned a strong reputation for reliability, quiet cooling, and solid performance.

The reviewer notes owning numerous EVGA cards across multiple generations, ranging from the GTX 750 Ti to the GTX 980 Ti, with consistently positive results.

Compact Design with Efficient Cooling

This particular GTX 960 SC uses a single-fan design, although EVGA also offers a dual-fan version.

Despite having only one fan, cooling performance is more than adequate. The card consumes around 120 watts under load, which doesn’t generate enough heat to require a larger cooling solution.

The shorter design offers an additional advantage by fitting easily into smaller cases and avoiding clearance issues with motherboard components and drive cages.

Power Requirements

Before purchasing, it’s important to check whether your power supply includes a 6-pin PCI Express power connector.

Many custom-built systems already include this connector, but pre-built desktops often do not. Fortunately, EVGA includes an adapter that converts two Molex power connectors into a single 6-pin PCIe connector.

If your system lacks both a PCIe connector and the required Molex connections, replacing the power supply may be necessary.

The reviewer recommends EVGA’s affordable 500-watt power supply, which includes the required connectors and provides room for future upgrades.

Future Expansion with SLI

One useful feature of the GTX 960 is support for SLI, allowing two cards to be linked together for additional performance.

Although SLI does not double performance, it can provide a noticeable improvement in supported games. This gives users an upgrade path without immediately replacing their existing graphics card.

Monitor Connectivity Options

The GTX 960 offers a variety of display outputs, including:

  • Two DVI ports
  • One HDMI port
  • One DisplayPort

This flexibility allows compatibility with most modern monitors and TVs.

An included DVI-to-VGA adapter also supports older displays, although digital connections such as HDMI, DVI, or DisplayPort are strongly preferred whenever possible.

Multi-Monitor Support

The card can support multiple displays simultaneously, making it ideal for users who want to game on one monitor while using another for web browsing, streaming video, email, or other tasks.

While the GTX 960 can technically connect three monitors, it lacks the graphics power needed for demanding triple-monitor gaming setups in most modern titles.

There are some exceptions. Older, CPU-dependent games such as Star Wars: The Old Republic can run surprisingly well across three displays when paired with a capable processor.

For most modern games, however, the GTX 960 is best suited to a single 1080p gaming monitor.

What’s Included in the Box?

Inside the package, users will find:

  • The GTX 960 SC graphics card
  • Driver CD (though downloading the latest drivers online is recommended)
  • DVI-to-VGA adapter
  • Molex-to-PCIe power adapter
  • User documentation
  • EVGA stickers and promotional materials

One notable feature of EVGA’s ACX cooling system is that the fan remains off during low temperatures, helping keep the card extremely quiet during everyday use.

Final Verdict

The EVGA GTX 960 SC 2GB strikes an excellent balance between price and performance. It delivers strong 1080p gaming capabilities with High to Ultra settings in many modern titles while remaining relatively affordable.

Compared to the GTX 950, the performance increase justifies the modest additional cost. At the same time, stepping up to a GTX 970 requires a significantly larger investment that many gamers may not need.

For users looking for smooth Full HD gaming, a reliable upgrade for a pre-built PC, or a cost-effective graphics card for a custom build, the GTX 960 SC remains a highly attractive option. It provides impressive value, quiet operation, and enough power to handle the vast majority of games at 1080p with excellent results.

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EVGA Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 SC 2GB
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