With 2GB of GDDR5 vRAM, this MSI GeForce GTX 950 2GD5 OCV1 Graphics Card allows for an improved overall gaming experience. In addition to its clock speed, this card features 768 CUDA cores linked to 2GB of GDDR5 vRAM by a 128-bit memory bus. Outputs on this card include one DisplayPort output, an HDMI output, and a DVI-I output.
Not just for driving displays, this card features NVIDIA's Maxwell architecture. Graphics intensive programs can utilize the Maxwell architecture's parallel configuration of the 768 CUDA cores to speed up render times and other tasks that benefit from parallel processing. The arrangement of the cores also allows the card to run efficiently and quietly, even under a full processing load.
To keep this card cool, MSI implemented their single open-air fan, which are most useful in medium to large towers where airflow inside the case is not a concern.
SLI Ready
With a compatible motherboard and a connecting bracket, two NVIDIA GTX 950 GPUs of the same model can combine processing power using NVIDIA's Scalable Link Interface (SLI). How the cards work together can be customized to suit your preferences. Alternate frame rendering has each alternating card prepare the next frame, essentially multiplying the capabilities of a single card's maximum capable frame rate output. Each card in the configuration can also be used to improve anti-aliasing by being able to process an image in parallel with the other cards before filtering out jagged edges.
Note:The benefits of SLI will differ based on CPU configuration.
Note:The benefits of SLI will differ based on CPU configuration.
CUDA
NVIDIA's parallel computing platform which enables an increase in computing performance by harnessing the parallel nature of GPU processing. CUDA compatible applications can assign intensive parallel computing tasks, such as real-time video rendering, to the GPU to process, freeing up the computer's CPU to run other tasks.
PhysX
NVIDIA's hardware accelerated physics engine computes how objects move in space in real time. Having a physics engine precludes the need for programs to pre-animate rendered objects which can give an unrealistic "canned animation" feel. The PhysX engine also allows for designers to create more detailed objects, relying on the GPU's processing power rather than a bloated programming back end.
Adaptive V-Sync
NVIDIA's Adaptive Vertical Sync minimizes stuttering and tearing by monitoring and adjusting the card's frame rate output. At high frame rates, Adaptive V-Sync is enabled to slow down the output frame rate to prevent tearing as a result of losing sync with your monitor. At lower frame rates, Adaptive V-Sync will automatically be disabled to minimize stuttering.
GPU Boost 2.0
Boosts the card's clock speed in real time based on the target temperature. If the card is running below the set target temperature, GPU Boost 2.0 will increase the clock speed to improve performance. The target temperature can be reset depending on your preference so you can have the card run more quietly for everyday tasks and older games, and run at full tilt during intense high-resolution gaming sequences.
G-Sync
When used with a monitor that has G-Sync hardware installed, the monitor's refresh rate will sync and lock with the graphics card's output frame rate. Establishing this sync removes tearing and stuttering which can result from conventional fixed screen refresh rates, especially important for gaming in stereoscopic 3D. An additional benefit of G-Sync is reduced lag so gamers will benefit from the improved command response time as well.
4K
Display graphics, games, and video in UHD resolution (3840 x 2160) for increased detail on 4K resolution displays. Games which support 4K resolutions will display greater detail for enhanced realism and reduced artifacts. 4K video from services such as Netflix and YouTube can deliver full resolution video for an enhanced media experience.
Surround
With a single card you can expand your PC games across three displays in stereoscopic 3D for an "inside the game" experience. Add in a fourth accessory display to get access to your email, web, and other applications.
VXGI
Introduced with NVIDIA's Maxwell architecture, Voxel Global Illumination can process advanced indirect lighting and reflections in real time, enabling programs to rely on the processing hardware to render reflections and shades rather than memory hogging pre-rendered textures.
MFAA
NDVIDIA's Multi-Frame Anti-Aliasing is an efficient anti-aliasing method introduced with their Maxwell architecture. MFAA leverages the processing efficiency of the GPU architecture in order to analyze textures as they change rather than preloading larger textures into the card's memory.
DSR
NVIDIA's Dynamic Super Resolution is a scaling utility introduced with their Maxwell architecture. DSR uses the GPU architecture in order to take advantage of 4K capabilities with lower screen resolutions by having the graphics card render at 4K and then intelligently down-sample the output to fit the smaller screen. Aliasing and jagged artifacts are reduced by having a high-quality filter applied before the image is scaled down.