Which GTX 970?

TheRealist · 27 Nov 2015 at 14:56

Want to upgrade from my R9 290 (****ing me off with its blackscreen, noise and temperatures).

I'm struggling to find which 970 i want. I prefer a good cooler and good OC potential.

Right now, i can only think of two: GTX EVGA 970 SC or GTX 970 Windforce - which one is better? Or can you lot recommend me other 970s?

Cheers.

TheRealist · 27 Nov 2015 at 23:20

Think amma get the SC cos its cheaper

thebennyboy · 27 Nov 2015 at 23:24

Out of interest, which SApphire 290 do you have? Is it a reference card?

TheRealist · 27 Nov 2015 at 23:41

thebennyboy said:
Out of interest, which SApphire 290 do you have? Is it a reference card?

Nah. Its non-ref. One ugly mofo it is.

thebennyboy · 27 Nov 2015 at 23:43

TheRealist said:
Nah. Its non-ref. One ugly mofo it is.

Is it Elpida or Hynix memory?

TheRealist · 27 Nov 2015 at 23:44

thebennyboy said:
Is it Elpida or Hynix memory?

How would one determine that?

thebennyboy · 27 Nov 2015 at 23:46

TheRealist said:
How would one determine that?

Should say in GPU-Z.

Look at "Memory Type".

TheRealist · 27 Nov 2015 at 23:47

thebennyboy said:
Should say in GPU-Z.

Look at "Memory Type".

Its Elpida

thebennyboy · 27 Nov 2015 at 23:50

TheRealist said:
Its Elpida

That's what's causing the black screens then.

Elpida is renowned for it on the 290 and 290X. I would buy the EVGA 970 SC and RMA the 290, it's a faulty card.

TheRealist · 27 Nov 2015 at 23:52

thebennyboy said:
That's what's causing the black screens then.

Elpida is renowned for it on the 290 and 290X. I would buy the EVGA 970 SC and RMA the 290, it's a faulty card.

Damn. Can't RMA it, warranty is out. I'll try to get a good deal on a 970, what with it being black friday and cyber monday. I've found one for 239£ and its an SC EVGA 970 - but i have to wait until monday for my money

ffs

thebennyboy · 27 Nov 2015 at 23:59

TheRealist said:
Damn. Can't RMA it, warranty is out. I'll try to get a good deal on a 970, what with it being black friday and cyber monday. I've found one for 239£ and its an SC EVGA 970 - but i have to wait until monday for my money ffs

When did you buy the card?

jbh110tdi · 28 Nov 2015 at 00:00

TheRealist said:
I've found one for 239£ and its an SC EVGA 970 - but i have to wait until monday for my money ffs

nice price.. wish I had held off..

I got offered a 2nd hand one dirt cheap in a deal and took it and its not the best for getting an overclock out off...

but on the plus side its a big leap up from the 7950 and in the long run stands me about £50

TheRealist · 28 Nov 2015 at 00:07

thebennyboy said:
When did you buy the card?

April 2014 but it was used

thebennyboy · 28 Nov 2015 at 00:14

TheRealist said:
April 2014 but it was used

Damn, you're stuffed with the 290 then sadly. EVGA SC 970 would be your best bet, especially since it's black friday AND EVGA have just opened a UK RMA base.

Davedree · 28 Nov 2015 at 00:26

The sc is ok for the money and so is the gig wf.
The sc has a weaker cooler and power reg on th pcb, but it's smaller than the gig wf.
Both cards should get you to 1460-1500mhz.
For 20-30 more the gig 970g1 has the same pcb as the wf but the cooler has 4 heatpipes this card will acjieve 1560-1600+. The evga ssc or ftw+ are also good too.

You have to decide if the price of the higher tier 970's are worth 3-4fps over the cheaper 970's

thebennyboy · 28 Nov 2015 at 00:29

Davedree said:
The sc is ok for the money and so is the gig wf.
The sc has a weaker cooler and power reg on th pcb, but it's smaller than the gig wf.
Both cards should get you to 1460-1500mhz.
For 20-30 more the gig 970g1 has the same pcb as the wf but the cooler has 4 heatpipes this card will acjieve 1560-1600+. The evga ssc or ftw+ are also good too.

You have to decide if the price of the higher tier 970's are worth 3-4fps over the cheaper 970's

Doesn't the G1 have common coil whine problems?

Davedree · 28 Nov 2015 at 00:44

thebennyboy said:
Doesn't the G1 have common coil whine problems?

It does when over 100fps. At stock settings 1418 mhz it doesn't whine.
The whine is very slight though when overclocked.

jbh110tdi · 28 Nov 2015 at 00:58

Davedree said:
It does when over 100fps. At stock settings 1418 mhz it doesn't whine.
The whine is very slight though when overclocked.

Ive noticed this with my gainward that once it has an overclock it doesnt whine as much as it does at stock. mines hardly does it. I dont notice it in games mainly in valley and its strange as it tends to do it once its finished with the heavy load

AiiR · 28 Nov 2015 at 01:44

Check out AMD's 390 or 390x's, there's some really awesome deals to be had on these this weekend.

If not, I found the Gigabyte or MSI 970's to be fine. I made the mistake of buying the non-G1 Gigabyte one so I missed out on the LED Windforce logo, so don't make the same mistake as it looks naff!

jbh110tdi · 28 Nov 2015 at 01:58

AiiR said:
Check out AMD's 390 or 390x's, there's some really awesome deals to be had on these this weekend.

If not, I found the Gigabyte or MSI 970's to be fine. I made the mistake of buying the non-G1 Gigabyte one so I missed out on the LED Windforce logo, so don't make the same mistake as it looks naff!

Im still half tempted to go for an MSI or Gigabyte 970 next year and then sell the gainward.. I still have my mind set on a 970 being in my machine over the 390 I just think I could get a better card than the Gainward and then see some good results.