Any point going for a non Founder's Edition 1070?

CurlySturly · 8 Sep 2016 at 16:18

I've changed my mind from a 980ti to a GTX 1070 but I'm unsure as to which 1070 to choose or whether to actually worth get anything different from the Founder's Edition card?

The Zotac AMP edition cards have taken my fancy (if not for the colour scheme..) but I'm interested to hear what you guys think I should get?

I believe that the Zotac performs better than the gtx 980 ti reference card from what I've read but is it worth paying that little bit more for 1070 or are there any other aftermarket cooled cards that people would suggest?

Thank you in advance

Daaaveee · 8 Sep 2016 at 16:34

I had a Founders Edition before my Gaming X, it was louder, hotter and not as fast. I would definitely recommend something else

The Zotac AMP Extreme is a fantastic card, its very big and heavy though so make sure you have space for it!

If it was me buying today I would go for the EVGA FTW.

CurlySturly · 8 Sep 2016 at 16:41

Daaaveee said:
The Zotac AMP Extreme is a fantastic card, its very big and heavy though so make sure you have space for it!

If it was me buying today I would go for the EVGA FTW.

It was between the EVGA FTW and the Zotac AMP cards before I saw that the Zotac has customisation on it's LEDs (going for a red and black build) but luckily the Zotac just fits into my case (12mm of clearance!).

How does the gaming X perform though because I had a look at that one too?

Daaaveee · 8 Sep 2016 at 16:45

If you're going for a red and black build then the Gaming X must be the top choice?!

It performs great, really quiet, cool and happily overclocks to 2100mhz. The only reason I would go EVGA instead is I believe their UK based RMA gets better reviews and feedback. I chose the Gaming X as it was very early on and it was the only non-FE card available, but I don't regret it, its a lovely bit of kit

Aretak · 8 Sep 2016 at 16:45

CurlySturly said:
It was between the EVGA FTW and the Zotac AMP cards before I saw that the Zotac has customisation on it's LEDs (going for a red and black build) but luckily the Zotac just fits into my case (12mm of clearance!).

How does the gaming X perform though because I had a look at that one too?

The FTW's lighting is full RGB too, so you can have it fit your build.

Having had both the Gaming X and FTW, there's zero difference between them in terms of noise or temperatures really. They both run around 70 under heavy load with the stock fan curve and were completely inaudible in my case. The FTW's lighting is the nicest I've seen on a card though. The Gaming X's red LEDs are really dull. It didn't bother me as I don't have a windowed case, but if aesthetics are important I'd pick the FTW over it every time.

Cleeecooo · 8 Sep 2016 at 16:48

Daaaveee said:
If you're going for a red and black build then the Gaming X must be the top choice?!

It performs great, really quiet, cool and happily overclocks to 2100mhz. The only reason I would go EVGA instead is I believe their UK based RMA gets better reviews and feedback. I chose the Gaming X as it was very early on and it was the only non-FE card available, but I don't regret it, its a lovely bit of kit

I've used a Gaming X 390 and I really liked the card. It looks nice and performs well and is very solidly built. However, I have been less than impressed by MSI's prices (the 1070 is the only reasonably priced Gaming X card they make) and their customer services. RMA time is adequate at best.

Given there's £10 in it, I went for the 1070 FTW and I've been incredibly impressed by it. The only minor complaint I have about the card is the E on the evga logo is slightly brighter because that's where the LED is

CurlySturly · 8 Sep 2016 at 17:40

I think it's between the Zotac and the EVGA FTW card now... Anything to decide it?

AllBodies · 8 Sep 2016 at 17:50

Yes. The Founder Edition cooler is sub-par and will not allow it to sustain high clocks without being at near 100% fan speed (which is loud).

The reason for this is the 'Boost 3.0' system is designed to run the card at the highest clock possible + simultaneously keeping it under 82 degrees. Therefore a poor cooler makes the card run at lower clockspeeds.

Aretak · 8 Sep 2016 at 17:52

CurlySturly said:
I think it's between the Zotac and the EVGA FTW card now... Anything to decide it?

Personally, I'd go with EVGA for the better warranty service. Their general customer service is second to none, and they have a UK-based RMA centre, whilst Zotac's cards have to be returned to China for repair. But you do get an extra two years of warranty with the Zotac, which is something.

Other than that, pick which one you like the look of more.

Davanius · 8 Sep 2016 at 17:54

Check out this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf__ZGD9SUQ

Steviepunk · 8 Sep 2016 at 18:20

Davanius said:
Check out this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf__ZGD9SUQ

Really good video, thanks

CurlySturly · 9 Sep 2016 at 00:37

Davanius said:
Check out this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf__ZGD9SUQ

I agree good vid! I think now for me it's between the EVGA and Zotac, again... But because I get paid every fortnight I still have to work another week before I can buy one so thank you for all the help everyone

Smrtka · 9 Sep 2016 at 08:06

Aretak said:
Personally, I'd go with EVGA for the better warranty service. Their general customer service is second to none, and they have a UK-based RMA centre, whilst Zotac's cards have to be returned to China for repair. But you do get an extra two years of warranty with the Zotac, which is something.

Other than that, pick which one you like the look of more.

This is untrue, OCUK deals with Zotac full 5 year warranty, you send the card to OCUK. If the card is for replacement ocuk then deals with manufacturer.

eddiew · 9 Sep 2016 at 10:26

Smrtka said:
This is untrue, OCUK deals with Zotac full 5 year warranty, you send the card to OCUK. If the card is for replacement ocuk then deals with manufacturer.

It's nice to hear this sort of thing for RMA processes; puts manufacturers straight to the top of my shortlist when they have UK returns via any mechanism ^^

nashathedog · 9 Sep 2016 at 10:56

CurlySturly said:
I've changed my mind from a 980ti to a GTX 1070

Good decision.

but I'm unsure as to which 1070 to choose or whether to actually worth get anything different from the Founder's Edition card?

It depends on your build, Do you need a blower style card? If so go for the Founders, If not you can get a quieter card and lower the chance of thermal throttling by going for an aftermarket model

The Zotac AMP edition cards have taken my fancy (if not for the colour scheme..) but I'm interested to hear what you guys think I should get?

I believe that the Zotac performs better than the gtx 980 ti reference card from what I've read but is it worth paying that little bit more for 1070 or are there any other aftermarket cooled cards that people would suggest?

Thank you in advance

There's very little in it with the Pascal cards, They seem to reach there Nvidia controlled limits before the coolers limits so there won't be much of a difference between the cheaper models and the pricier models, certainly nothing to warrant paying much more. One may be a few decibels quieter but from what I understand the cheapest version are not loud anyway. There seems to be very little to warrant over paying for a beefier cooler with this generation of cards.

For example the experience with this https://www.overclockers.co.uk/gain...ddr5-pci-express-graphics-card-gx-207-gw.html probably won't be worth the price difference when compared to this once you match the clocks with something like afterburner https://www.overclockers.co.uk/inno...ddr5-pci-express-graphics-card-gx-068-in.html It's certainly not worth an additional £70.

CurlySturly · 9 Sep 2016 at 12:06

nashathedog said:
For example the experience with this https://www.overclockers.co.uk/gain...ddr5-pci-express-graphics-card-gx-207-gw.html probably won't be worth the price difference when compared to this once you match the clocks with something like afterburner https://www.overclockers.co.uk/inno...ddr5-pci-express-graphics-card-gx-068-in.html It's certainly not worth an additional £70.

So would I not notice much of a dip in performance if I went for a cheaper card, such as the Inno3d card you linked?

Aretak · 9 Sep 2016 at 13:38

Smrtka said:
This is untrue, OCUK deals with Zotac full 5 year warranty, you send the card to OCUK. If the card is for replacement ocuk then deals with manufacturer.

Yes, I'm aware of that. It's the case that you return the card to the original retailer for most manufacturers. You send the card to OcUK, but they then send the card on to Zotac in Hong Kong, which means the process is still going to take a lot longer than dealing with a company with a UK RMA base. That's entirely the point. Dealing directly with a company with a UK base like Gigabyte or EVGA is going to have your card back to you a lot faster.

maonayze · 9 Sep 2016 at 16:39

Shouldn't the OP's question read "Any point going for a Founders Edition?"

Whichever side you chose your card from....Always go custom.

nashathedog · 9 Sep 2016 at 21:08

CurlySturly said:
So would I not notice much of a dip in performance if I went for a cheaper card, such as the Inno3d card you linked?

No not really, They all overclock too similar numbers and a basic dual fan cooler is fine for the chip, All it'll require is some clock and fan tweaks with something like Afterburner and it'll run just as well as the cards that cost £70 or so more. With all the limitations put on the chips by Nvidia it doesn't seem to matter as much as it did in the past. The top end cards might manage to cool it a bit better and do it a little quieter but it not a necessity if the cheaper card is doing a good enough job anyway.

IvanDobskey · 9 Sep 2016 at 21:36

I don't think there are huge differences between 1070's to be honest. May as well get the cheapest one you can get your hands on unless there's a specific brand / card you really like.

I have a preference for evga and thought the Evga SC card was worth a little extra to me personally.