In the market for a GTX 970. Which one should I get?

[aaroncoolguy]

I'm looking into getting a GTX 970. My graphics card has died and I think it's time to take the plunge into the new era of gpus. I'm looking for the best one. Which one would you recommend?

My thoughts were that I was going to get the Nvidia version of the card with no modifications because I love the way the heatsink looks, it simply makes me drool. The card is listed at $370 at Best Buy. I don't typically like to buy from them but I have to pros to this option. I L-O-V-E the way the card looks (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-4gb-gddr5-pci-express-3-0-graphics-card-silver-black/9855169.p?id=1219441201895) and I don't have to wait for the shipping for it to get to me.

On the other side I know there's a lot of pros to getting a modified card. If I were to do that I was thinking of getting the Asus version of the card or maybe the EVGA for the price and performance and the boosted clock

I was thinking of this one since I'm running a black and red build (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121899&cm_re=gtx_970-_-14-121-899-_-Product)

Or this EVGA (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487070&cm_re=gtx_970-_-14-487-070-_-Product)

What are your thoughts? Am I losing something by not getting one of these aftermarket cards? What card do you think I should buy? I don't mind spending the extra money for the Best Buy version because of the aesthetic of the card.

Thoughts, opinions, demands?

Thanks for the help I greatly appreciate it.

 

[mudpuppet]

If you're interested in it today, Newegg has a sale for an evga 970 for $299 (includes metal gear as well): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487086&cm_re=970_gtx-_-14-487-086-_-Product . You could do the OCing yourself, but it's a good deal for a new card.

Otherwise I would suggest an open box option from someplace like amazon for $293 for SSC: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00R3NK2LE/ref=olp_tab_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used&mv_style_name=8
My 970 FTW was from an amazon Warehouse Deal, and picked it up for about $309 ish. Runs perfectly and no complaints. There may have been a heatsink fan or 3 that were a little bit at the exposed edge, but that very well could be how EVGA boxed it to start with. Again, works perfectly and no issues with it. If there was, amazon is great with returns, and just get a different/new one.

I like EVGA myself just because I've used their products in the past and have no complaints. you could go with the "plain" ones if you like, but I think its more personal preference. The EVGA cards (ACX 2.0) have fans that don't kick on till after a certain temp. This is awesome for noise reduction, so surfing the web, I don't hear a thing cause they aren't on. If it's hot enough to kick on in BF4, it's not loud at all... any sound from the game you have should drown out the noise you might hear.

 

[aaroncoolguy]

If you're interested in it today, Newegg has a sale for an evga 970 for $299 (includes metal gear as well): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487086&cm_re=970_gtx-_-14-487-086-_-Product . You could do the OCing yourself, but it's a good deal for a new card.

Otherwise I would suggest an open box option from someplace like amazon for $293 for SSC: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00R3NK2LE/ref=olp_tab_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used&mv_style_name=8
My 970 FTW was from an amazon Warehouse Deal, and picked it up for about $309 ish. Runs perfectly and no complaints. There may have been a heatsink fan or 3 that were a little bit at the exposed edge, but that very well could be how EVGA boxed it to start with. Again, works perfectly and no issues with it. If there was, amazon is great with returns, and just get a different/new one.

I like EVGA myself just because I've used their products in the past and have no complaints. you could go with the "plain" ones if you like, but I think its more personal preference. The EVGA cards (ACX 2.0) have fans that don't kick on till after a certain temp. This is awesome for noise reduction, so surfing the web, I don't hear a thing cause they aren't on. If it's hot enough to kick on in BF4, it's not loud at all... any sound from the game you have should drown out the noise you might hear.

I'm worried about open box.. I don't want to get a non-working card and I'm antsy to get the card. Are there benefits to these aftermarket cards? I always thought there were (IE boost clock but you can also just do that on your own which I can easily do) I'm just curious for the best obviously. Saving that $80 would be great.. Thanks for the input!

 

[mudpuppet]

The different type of cooler they add, sometimes LEDs etc. Each company will do something differently. I'm not going to downplay any other company, because I haven't had experience with them, I've just been happy with what EVGA has done. Some cards, like FTW, SC will have different speeds, and the other brands will have their own clocked cards. Find one you like, or build to a theme and chances are you'll be fine. I know some people like to get a clocked card so they don't have to play around with it (like myself) and others who will get a reference card so they can try and get a better clock. If you're into OCing, then by all means go for it, but I didn't want to have to and was good with the FTW speed.

With the open box stuff, I was worried about it too, but this 970 works just fine. I had 1-2 other pieces come from amazons warehouse deals (I know one was the CPU cooler that was never applied) and haven't had any issues. If you have a Microcenter nearby, you can check them out as well. If you get something defective from bestbuy, you still have to go return it just like you would from Amazon. It might take longer simply because it's a by mail service, but again, Ive had good luck and the customer service has been great for the returns (non PC items) that have arrived too small, wrong item, ended up not needing, etc.

 

[17seconds]

If you're buying from Best Buy on-line, be sure to take advantage of their price match guarantee. Look for the exact same product on Amazon, Newegg, Tiger Direct, or the other sites they specify in the policy, and then call to place your order. They'll look it up and match the price.

If you buy from Best Buy, then you do have the option of making your returns at the physical store.

I recommend a custom card, really any will do. There isn't much that separates the options you have listed, although I would lean towards the Asus Strix for its upgraded components. The custom coolers will be a little bit quieter and your turbo boost clocks will be a little more consistently higher.

If you want a stock Nvidia cooler, good for external venting of exhaust heat, look to see if Best Buy has one from PNY. They have a lifetime warranty that is nice for peace of mind.

 

[17seconds]

Checking a little more closely, it looks like PNY doesn't offer their reference design with the metallic Nvidia cooler. You have several options on Best Buy's website for around $340, much less than that Nvidia reference card. I would look at the MSI Gaming as a first choice, which you can get price matched with the Amazon price. If you venture over to Best Buy's "Marketplace" items, then you can include the Asus Strix and Gigabyte cards, but those can't be price matched. The EVGA cards are good too.