The big 970 SLI dilemma

[Marine-RX179]

I bought my 2 cards in separate orders. I assume it wouldn't matter which card is returned under which order number?

I think this you would be best ask in CS. But even if your bought two same brand and model card on two separate orders, surely you would remember which is the newer that you installed and into which slot?

 

[Dirk Diggler]

I'm sure the bottom slot was the newest. The receipt doesn't show serial numbers which is why I'm wondering if it even matters.

 

[jimmyjimmyo]

I'm keeping mine, (msi 970oc) I got them off here for a bargain price of 390 for the pair so I should be ok 're. Depreciation, I do have a 4k screen on the way but I will just drop the AA or play in 21.9 and see how it goes.

Dying light is running fine for me except the cutscenes get jerky (in-game is fine using the GeForce experience presets @ 1440) so no idea what's going on there.

I will upgrade once next gen 8gb cards hit and try to recoup what I can for the 970's at that point, I could overclock them if I needed a few extra frames as they are running @ stock but theybdont have fantastic coolers and I still use a tj07 so heat is a constant issue

 

[Legend]

Do we think a 6g or 8g is comming soon? Cause im happy with my 970s. But im tempted to refund and wait a month or two for larger memory versions.

Hard to say, but it seems inevitable to me that SOME new cards will offer 6-8GB... but it certainly won't be a case of ALL new cards, so they'll likely have a premium price! I cannot foresee a situation where bigger memory cards aren't on the roster for Nvidia/AMD over the next year or so... AMD are already making very affordable 8GB cards and these are selling well by most accounts... there's clearly demand with the rise in 4K, and more games are going over that 4GB limit, so why wouldn't they?

 

[oaksmokedbacon]

It is good to see someone do some real testing.

Agreed, and it was an interesting read.... the question seems to be How many people actually game at 4k?

I'm a very happy MSI 970 owner and yes I game at 1080p but that's all I wanted so I bought the best I could for the money I had to fit what I wanted. The 970 seemingly also works well at 1440p but I think users thought that the 970 and 980 were the golden ticket to a generation of gaming that is probably still 2/3 cycles away (to be played perfectly by all not just the hardcore enthusiasts with money to burn).

From reading reviews of the 970 it seems that 1080p and 1440p were its bread an butter and the market it was aimed at and it's big sister if you wanted more.

 

[Robzere31]

I'll be sticking with my 2x gigabyte G1 970s.
I've run a single 290x & a 295x2 before getting them, but still feel the 970s are better all round.

 

[phate101101]

I've decided to RMA my two 970's and get a 290 or 290x and with money saved put aside until the 3xx series cards come out or a 8GB 980

 

[Dirk Diggler]

After mulling it over the weekend, I've also decided to RMA my 970's. I'm just about to pull the trigger on a single 980 to tide me over until an 8GB card to match or surpass the 970/980 is launched.

These 970's were always a stop gap for me, which is why I never put them under water. The risk to resale value is just too great with this situation regarding vRam.

Once again, top marks to OCUK for their policy on this. My 980 will ordered via OCUK.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

What postage method are you all using for your 2 cards? Are you posting them both together?

I'm getting some high prices with Royal Mail...

 

[Loque]

What postage method are you all using for your 2 cards? Are you posting them both together?

I'm getting some high prices with Royal Mail...

Ipostparcels. Sent them separately. Cost me 20 quid. Would be maybe 15 quid if you sent them both together.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Ipostparcels. Sent them separately. Cost me 20 quid. Would be maybe 15 quid if you sent them both together.

Was that with cover up to the value of the card?
Have you used them before?

I've never heard of them, but they look OK from a price point of view.

 

[Loque]

Was that with cover up to the value of the card?
Have you used them before?

I've never heard of them, but they look OK from a price point of view.

No. That's with no cover. I've used them multiple times though. They are pretty reliable.

 

[Manook]

RMAd both my 970s and gone for the KFA2 980 x2. I use a rog swift so have no option to go for a 290x as it basically doesnt work with AMD cards (lots of flicker at high refresh rates and not compatible with g-sync / ulmb).

It isnt a case of going from 3.5gb to 4gb is going to make a big difference in memory, its the issue that as soon as it tries to use the .5gb of slow memory it goes to pot. The 980 just caps at 4gb without that issue so ill be happy with that.

Sending mine back via royal mail special delivery insured for £500. About £8 for next day but my msi 970 4g boxes arent that big so i dunno how much itll cost others.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

RMSD is £11 each, and that's full insurance for the value of the cards.

 

[Legend]

I'm wondering, what's the difference between 970 SLI, 980 SLI and 290X 4GB Crossfire... I'm guessing the 970 SLI route now doesn't make a great deal of sense, 980 SLI is great but uber expensive, which leaves me thinking 290X 4GB Crossfire is the best choice here?