Are there any models of 970 that I should avoid 2nd hand?

[Goose]

I'm after a used 970 for a build for my dad and since its not a card i have any experience with I was wondering if there are any I should avoid due to reliability concerns, over heating etc?

Thanks

 

[Nelly]

The EVGA cards listed below are good - 6% cooler, better power phases and higher power target. Avoid other EVGA 970 cards, as they used previous gen cooler design, which run hotter and can run into overheating issues.

04G-P4-3975-KR - EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC GAMING ACX
04G-P4-3978-KR - EVGA GeForce GTX 970 FTW+ GAMING ACX 2.0+

 

[Nasher]

I'd say Gigabyte as well. Mine was shockingly bad quality.

 

[Goose]

Thanks chaps.

 

[wedrum]

EVGA as the warranty is by serial number should it have any remaining.

 

[orbitalwalsh]

Having both stripped an Asus Turbo and Gigabyte Turbo, Asus did not cool the ram chips at all, left naked. gigabyte used Heat pipes and was a better sound but had a drone fan sound.
My EVGA SSC was of a better quality then current generation .

 

[jonessa]

What's the going rate for a decent (used)970 then?

Sightly off topic, but may want to sell my OCUK/Cooler edition in the near future and interested to hear how much the prices have crashed!

 

[subbytna]

Get, if you can, a MSI 970. Great cards

 

[pandem0nium]

I'd enquire about coil whine.