ASUS vs. EVGA vs. MSI : GTX 970

[camberto5]

I am building a gaming pc and looking to use one of the new GTX 970s in my build. I have seen many reasons for why each GPU is good, however the one that everyone recommends most is out of stock. Most of what I have seen has favored the ASUS STRIX GTX 970, but this card is very hard to find in stock on Amazon or Newegg. I have also seen that the MSI is a good balance between cooling and performance. The EVGA Superclocked GTX 970 with ACX 2.0 cooling is supposed to fix the problem of coil whine that was present in the ACX cooler, but I have seen someone that said their Super Superclocked EVGA 970 with ACX 2.0 cooling did have a bit of coil whine. Also I have heard that EVGA makes pretty good products so hearing this suprised me. In terms of clock speed, the EVGA has the fastest ( I think) followed by the MSI Card, but on the ASUS card there is no core clock speed shown. Similarly, the boost clock speed on the EVGA is the highest followed by the MSI card. I have also seen the Gigabyte GTX 970, however Newegg says it is 15 inches long which seems ridiculous and it is a bit more expensive. So this leaves the question of which card I should purchase and they are all 350 on Newegg. Should I wait for the ASUS STRIX to be available or buy the EVGA Superclocked 970 with ACX 2.0 cooling or the MSI GTX 970? I will have links to the 3 cards below and thanks for your input. In addition I have a Fractal Design Define R4 as the Case I will be using if that helps with clearance since the cards are all different sizes.

ASUS STRIX:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121899&cm_re=asus_strix-_-14-121-899-_-Product

EVGA Superclocked with ACX 2.0 cooling:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487076&cm_re=evga_gtx_970-_-14-487-076-_-Product

MSI GAMING:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127832

 

[cowboydude99]

I have the same case.

I bought it for its sound dampening ability.

If you bought yours for the same reason I'd go Asus or MSI.

I chose the MSI. Installed today and over clocked it.

Core +220
Memory +500
Voltage +87

I could barely hear the card with 99% usage.

Great OC, noise level and stays cool. On load 77c.

If you go with MSI just be careful removing the sticker from the second fan.

I held the center of the fan down while carefully removing the sticker.

 

[SlayZombi]

Evga for sure. They are the highest quality and most known and reviewed. ASUS has lots of problems and MSi is kinda in the middle.

 

[cowboydude99]

I have read a bunch of reviews. The gigabyte is the only one I haven't seen any negatives for.

Evga and MSI both have coil whine.

Mine didn't, others do.

 

[sora]

The MSI is quiet, ASUS has great customer support, and EVGA has a strong clock core. It is all personal preference and nothing else.

 

[SlayZombi]

I'd disagree with that. Most EVGA cards have no problems. On the other hand, look how many ASUS cards show problems just on this forum alone...

 

[EVGA_ChrisB]

Hi cowboydude99,

Please rest assured that coil whine is not at all common with the EVGA GTX 970 card, but if you should receive a EVGA GTX 970 card with coil whine then we are here to help with fast warranty exchange options at no costs to you.

I would also like to mention that we are now offering free backplates for the EVGA GTX 970 card and more information is available at: http://forums.evga.com/EVGA-GTX-970-Free-Backplate-Promotion-m2227910.aspx.

 

[cowboydude99]

Hi cowboydude99,

Please rest assured that coil whine is not at all common with the EVGA GTX 970 card, but if you should receive a EVGA GTX 970 card with coil whine then we are here to help with fast warranty exchange options at no costs to you.

I would also like to mention that we are now offering free backplates for the EVGA GTX 970 card and more information is available at: http://forums.evga.com/EVGA-GTX-970-Free-Backplate-Promotion-m2227910.aspx.

Hi EVGA_Chris,
I'm sure it is just a handful of people experiencing issues... not just with EVGA, but with all manufacturers.

Free backplate = Very nice!