Hmm yes, i had the 960 in mind but so far hard to get accurate infos regarding this card. Not even sure if there will be 4 GB added in some versions, many different entrys regarding 960. Certainly the 2 GB era is "over" for true gamers... to many games are starting to become serious RAM issues, especially when modding. The 960 should be a true gamer card and not some "minimalistic approach for people that only play on sunday".
I mean, i could still use a 970 GTX and simply downclock a bit in term stuff is becoming to hot/noisy. However, the price is insane for a GPU that is not used at full potential. Most likely the 970 seems to be about same TDP such a 7950, and the 960 is probably in the 7870 range. Usually i am not playing games in need of max performance but with sometimes insane RAM demand (especially Skyrim), when max RAM is used the game will start to freeze (i had the issue on several games already, even WoW)... really annoying and totally unplayable. However, my games usually run fine (40-60 FPS) using a mid range card and most settings at max quality (maybe AA reduced but difference is rather minor), so i rather enjoy the sweet spot with less heat/noise issues. My newest game is "The Legend of Heroes (on PC)", i could probably even run the stuff using IGP
So im not truly a performance user but i need the
&R/%)ç) RAM!!! Next game is probably Witcher 3*, surely gonna buy it but i think it will run great using a mid range card (960 or 970 @1080P) and almost max settings. Probably one of the most demanding games i may own for this year (next year new PC.., so it doesnt matter).
*Regarding Witcher 3 system specs: I think there is to much speculations and assumptions on the net and probably not a single true spec. Officially the game is still under development and not optimized yet, so there is no official specs until the day of release.
Still have to check realistic TDP (not the paper numbers, 145 W is not realistic at all, its probably above 7870) perhaps the 970 can become another option, but i think the difference to the 960 is minor and the price clearly higher.
*EDIT because price situation has changed*
Another thing to consider is the
totaly unknown design (starts to give me headache the constant secretmongers regarding new GPU specs until the day of release.) In term the interface is only 128 bit the 960 GTX is probably a inferior card not powerful enough for 4 GB or so, it may require insane memory OC to make anything out of it and is in need of good memory that can drive up to 8000 MHz (guess Samsung stuff) and good coolers. Nvidia loves to cut the memory interface in order to save up on cost, while AMD rarely is doing it. Cutting a memory interface in any way at the current timeline is in my mind a bad choice and Nvidia may shot themself in the feet doing so (giving room for AMD to strike back)... just as i told already, the 2 GB and "baby memory era" is over. But AMD is not really a option as long as they dont release new stuff because the old series are to much of a hair dryer to me, memory interface clearly supreme... AMD was rarely cheap on that matter.
Another option is to go crazy, taunting anyone by buying a Galax http://www.overclockers.com/Galax-+GTX970HOF-Review and then downclocking it in front of everyones eyes... Oh man... that would be a fun moment. Nah, just kidding, 2x8 PIN = this is totaly freaky and made for ill fated OC and possible TDP of 375 W (single GPU only). On top of that this card is really ugly, a white plastic cover for the card? No way.., great Alu backplate and ugly fan housing.