GTX 970 - 55 different types!

[Paul22000]

http://www.amazon.com/b/?ie=UTF8&node=11450166011 (note: link works only in desktop browsers or desktop mode in mobile chrome)

I'm trying to pick from this list in order to get the promo.

But how do you know which one is best?? I suppose the best options are EVGA, Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte, but even then there are dozens to choose from. How do you decide?

 

[HEXiT]

you choose the cheaper options... mate 90% of the cards are the same. you get a slight variance in temps with different coolers but rarely more than 1-2c.
most stock cards with the same cooler as a factory oc card will perform within 1% of the higher end higher priced card.
so yeah pick the cooler you like the sound of and buy the cheapest version of that card you can find.

 

[4745454b]

Correct, there aren't 55 different types.

Think of your favorite car. Ford Mustang or Honda Accord, etc. Imagine you live in a big city with many different dealers within ~50mi. They all sell the same car. There might be a different model trim here and there, but they are all basically the same. One dealer might offer a bigger rebate, or more for your trade in. Or might have nicer floor mats or wheels to go with it. But they are all basically selling the same car. Same thing applies here. They are all basically the same thing, the GTX970. Some might have a better cooler, or might be slightly cheaper then the others. But they should all perform around the same point.

 

[Paul22000]

you choose the cheaper options... mate 90% of the cards are the same. you get a slight variance in temps with different coolers but rarely more than 1-2c.
most stock cards with the same cooler as a factory oc card will perform within 1% of the higher end higher priced card.
so yeah pick the cooler you like the sound of and buy the cheapest version of that card you can find.

- So then the cheapest one would be the MSI GTX 970 4GD5T OC Graphics Cards GTX 970 4GD5T OC at $319 (the one with 43 reviews, not 236 reviews). Is that a good choice?

- How do you pick the cooler you like the sound of? What criteria do you use?

 

[yeskay]

you choose the cheaper options... mate 90% of the cards are the same. you get a slight variance in temps with different coolers but rarely more than 1-2c.
most stock cards with the same cooler as a factory oc card will perform within 1% of the higher end higher priced card.
so yeah pick the cooler you like the sound of and buy the cheapest version of that card you can find.

- So then the cheapest one would be the MSI GTX 970 4GD5T OC Graphics Cards GTX 970 4GD5T OC at $319 (the one with 43 reviews, not 236 reviews). Is that a good choice?

- How do you pick the cooler you like the sound of? What criteria do you use?

If you're looking for better overclocking, near silent operation (you'll never get a card that's 100% silent. May be a case with sound dampening features will make it possible) and pretty good cooling (MSI's Twin Frozr V Cooling Tech, one of the best in the industry), get this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($339.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $339.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-14 14:03 EDT-0400

else, get the one that suits your budget.

 

[HEXiT]

you choose the cheaper options... mate 90% of the cards are the same. you get a slight variance in temps with different coolers but rarely more than 1-2c.
most stock cards with the same cooler as a factory oc card will perform within 1% of the higher end higher priced card.
so yeah pick the cooler you like the sound of and buy the cheapest version of that card you can find.

- So then the cheapest one would be the MSI GTX 970 4GD5T OC Graphics Cards GTX 970 4GD5T OC at $319 (the one with 43 reviews, not 236 reviews). Is that a good choice?

- How do you pick the cooler you like the sound of? What criteria do you use?

normally i go for the quietest 1s most are reted in db's but that isnt all that accurate.
so i go on bearing type. dual ball bearings are hard wearing but noisy. fluid dynamic bearings are much much quieter but tend to sacrifice some overall air flow. this to me is the better option as quiet running is more important than an extra 1-2 fps.

 

[missdazzle24]

I have the EVGA GTX 970 FTW+ and love it. Also comes with a back plate and overclocks very nicely. But you will spend a bit more for the FTW+.

 

[Karamses]

I have the EVGA 970 FTW, and I absolutely love it. Fan is quite, temps are cool, smooth gaming at max graphics in any game I throw at it at steady 60FPS. However, seen as the FTW+ is an upgrade of my card I would go for the FTW+

 

[D_Perk]

I have the Card Yeskay posted the link to, i never hear it run. I have 0 problems with it running all games at max including GTA5 online.

Something to think about when buying a GPU... What i like to do is use the same manufacture for both GPU and MOBO. I don't know why, but i just do. something in my own mind makes it seem they will work better together even though most card are the same thing no matter the name tag.

 

[Paul22000]

you choose the cheaper options... mate 90% of the cards are the same. you get a slight variance in temps with different coolers but rarely more than 1-2c.
most stock cards with the same cooler as a factory oc card will perform within 1% of the higher end higher priced card.
so yeah pick the cooler you like the sound of and buy the cheapest version of that card you can find.

- So then the cheapest one would be the MSI GTX 970 4GD5T OC Graphics Cards GTX 970 4GD5T OC at $319 (the one with 43 reviews, not 236 reviews). Is that a good choice?

- How do you pick the cooler you like the sound of? What criteria do you use?

If you're looking for better overclocking, near silent operation (you'll never get a card that's 100% silent. May be a case with sound dampening features will make it possible) and pretty good cooling (MSI's Twin Frozr V Cooling Tech, one of the best in the industry), get this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($339.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $339.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-14 14:03 EDT-0400

else, get the one that suits your budget.

Thank you! I decided to pick that MSI suggested -- http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NN0GEXQ

Amazon has it listed as "#1 Best Seller in Computer Graphics Cards" so it must be good.