14 DAY TRIAL // So far, we have seen NVIDIA OEMs that didn't stray at all from the reference specifications of the GeForce GTX 960, as well as OEMs that refused to even consider releasing stock-clocked versions. Now we get the middle ground in MSI.
Micro-Star International is one of the NVIDIA partners that have both “normal” GeForce GTX 960 graphics cards up for sale, as well as factory-overclocked ones.
The latter are also equipped with coolers different from the ones that NVIDIA made, not that it's any sort of surprise.
The trio of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 graphics cards from MSI are called MSI GeForce GTX 960, GTX 960 2GD5T OC, and GTX 960 GAMING 2G.
The specs of the new MSI video boards
The MSI GeForce GTX 960 is the normal one, obviously. With the regular NVIDIA cooler (single-fan, black shroud), it runs the GPU at 1,127 MHz Base / 1,178 MHz and the 2 GB of memory at 7 GHz via the 128-bit interface.
Three DisplayPorts allow for a connection to a monitor or TV, or you could use the HDMI or dual-link DVI connector instead.
The second video card, called MSI GTX 960 2G5T OC, has the GM206-300 Maxwell GPU clocked at 1,178 MHz / 1,241 MHz.
Also, it is cooled by the Armor 2X cooler, with two fans and black and white shroud. Otherwise, the board is more or less identical to the reference one.
That leaves the MSI GeForce GTX 960 GAMING 2G, with a twin-fan Twin Frozr 5 cooler and a black and red shroud.
The heatsink has high-efficiency heatpipes and is helped by a pair of 100 mm Torx fans, complete with Airflow Control Technology. The designers claim it is vastly superior to previous generations of Twin Frozr cooling modules.
Availability
The three MSI GeForce GTX 960 graphics cards are priced upwards of $200 / €200 and should be available through every common retailer, and some not so common ones.
You can use the MSI Gaming App to switch between OC, Gaming and Silent modes whenever you want, and even an EyeRost mode that reduces the monitor's blue light, cutting eye strain greatly. Ambience can also be controlled via the LED control tab (you can select from 5 lighting modes).
