970 vs 290x vs 290

[opethdisciple]

I probably won't be overlocking initially, as there is no need for 1080p gaming. I would imagine these cards would handle everything for the next year or so at ultra?

Which 970 do you have?

I game at 1200p with the 970 Gigabyte G1.

You will max out most games (where you dont it's just a matter of turning AA down a bit)

 

[ReCoN1989]

I think I am decided on a 970. The price premium for the lower power consumption and nvidia game works seems worth it. The question now is which one; ocuk seems to endorse the "infinity black edition" I'm not sure how much of this is down to it being a good card and how much is due to their exclusivity deal they have paid for. Also the galax range seems to only have a 2 year warranty when just about every other card has 3 years. I would like a good quality cooler so the card runds cool and, more importantly, quiet. And a backplate would be preferable.

 

[opethdisciple]

I think I am decided on a 970. The price premium for the lower power consumption and nvidia game works seems worth it. The question now is which one; ocuk seems to endorse the "infinity black edition" I'm not sure how much of this is down to it being a good card and how much is due to their exclusivity deal they have paid for. Also the galax range seems to only have a 2 year warranty when just about every other card has 3 years. I would like a good quality cooler so the card runds cool and, more importantly, quiet. And a backplate would be preferable.

Gigbayte G1 if it fits in your case.

 

[ReCoN1989]

Is that the same as the standard windforce but with higher clocks? How would it compare to the galax hall of fame and asus strix?

 

[JamesM]

to be honest the performance of the 970 is very similar across the cards.

if your not fussed about overclocking then buying the quickest out of the box might appeal to you.

MSI and Gigabyte were the most popular when the 970 first arrived however the infinity black edition is meant to 100% coil whine free.

 

[ReCoN1989]

I get that. To be honest if a card had coil wine I'd return it under the dsr anyway. Also the galax cards have 50% less warranty than others?

I notice you have the msi, how is it? Quiet as the galax and gigabyte?

 

[opethdisciple]

My view is slightly biased as I have the G1.

But I did a lot of reading around the web before I bought and the fastest out the box card is the G1.

It's the same as the normal Gigabyte card, with slightly higher clocks but a longer PCB.

The MSI is also a good card. But has no backplate and when I was buying was having fan issues which are now fixed as far as I know via a bios update.

The Strix is the quietest with 0Db technology. I.e the fans will turn off completely until you reach a certain degree.

However out the box, the G1 is the fastest card.

Only downside to the G1 is possible coil whine. I’m lucky. Mine doesn’t whine during gaming 99% of the time I get a little here and there when fps are sky high, for 99% of the time I don’t get any.

The Galax comes with a no coil whine guarantee.

(And just to add the Galax cards where not available when I was buying)

 

[Jarrastafari]

To be honest if a card had coil wine I'd return it under the dsr anyway. Also the galax cards have 50% less warranty than others?

The Galax Infinity has a zero coil whine guarantee (as long as you use a 80+ gold cert PSU I believe) while a two year warranty may be relatively worse it's important to think that you should probably resell the card and upgrade within those two years if you want the best value and performance. That's how I'm looking at it anyway.