NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960

Pros

• Extremely low entry cost on the used market (often $30-$40).
• Low power requirements, typically needing only a 300W PSU and a single 6-pin connector.
• Some models feature multiple DisplayPorts, making it useful for multi-monitor office setups.
• Still capable of handling 1080p gaming on medium settings for older or less demanding titles.

Cons

• Significant bottleneck for modern CPUs and games.
• The 2GB VRAM variant is severely limited by modern standards.
• High risk of hardware failure due to the age of the cards (10+ years).
• NVIDIA driver issues on Linux compared to AMD alternatives.

Caveats

• Used units likely have dried-out thermal paste and may require a repaste to prevent overheating.
• Performance in modern games is often limited to 30-60 FPS even on lower settings.
• Hardware reliability is a gamble; some units are failing while others remain functional.

Best for

• Ultra-budget secondary PCs.
• Basic office work and web browsing.
• Temporary placeholder builds while saving for a modern GPU.

Avoid if

• You intend to play modern AAA games at stable frame rates.
• You are looking for a long-term reliable component without maintenance.
• You primarily use Linux and prefer open-source driver support.