I don't understand why we are being called NVidia haters when we purchased their product to begin with. If I was an NVidia hater I would have purchased AMD instead. I like NVidia, HOWEVER, I purchased the 970 to use every bit of the card.
A lot of other people not using the whole 4gb today (also are some of the ones telling us to stop whining, and have not used this card at its supposedly full potential), will be using the entirety of the card in the near future, or at least trying to, then realizing that when trying to play a new gen game or use current gen 4k (which is becoming the new standard for displays, including our everyday use phones) that the card advertised at 4gb can not handle running at 4gb. The fact that the specs were misrepresented stands. This card FAILS when you access more than 3.5gb.
I purchased this card over the 980 because it was $200 less AND in some cases can be OC'd to or close to a stock 980. I also purchased this card for the full 4GB, because as stated multiple times before me "You WILL, or eventually, WILL need 4gb of VRAM". Now this card, (which previous specs stated it could) can not handle some things out now, and even more to come in this year alone. My "future-proof" card is now useless. Stated in another comment somewhere "In most cases the 4gb cards run the same as 2gb cards". Sure, but you're only using 2gb? 2GB cards were the standard for the current gen gaming, and now years later, because technology advances you know, 4gb cards are the new standard for current gen gaming.
I apologize, I was trying to get some people to understand that even though you may not see a difference in performance now, you will when you try to use the 4gb you PAID for. This was unintentionally turned into a rant. For everyone stating that the specs do not matter and that the card still runs flawlessly regardless of the specs, you are wrong. I am upset with NVidia yes, but I am not a "hater". I do know that False Advertisement is illegal, and that a case against them is, in this sense justified.
I don't really care about the lawsuit in terms of a handout or lump sum of money, but getting an upgrade to the 980 for a fee would be fair. I'm not asking for a free upgrade, but I would send my card in with an x-amount of money for the 980.
I believe all NVidia would need to do to clear the air, is have the people who purchased the 970 from date of release to a reasonable time AFTER the new specs were released, sign up either for:
- A full refund with paid return
- an upgrade to the 980 for a reasonable, but discounted, price with paid return
I don't see a reason for any other option. This would appease everyone. The specs are out. If you don't like it, return it and purchase the card you want of any band with the specs that you do want.
OR
Send it back and pay a specified discounted amount for a 980.
Eventually, with the specs shown correctly, and customers with options, it will blow over and NVidia should have satisfied their customers. A class-action lawsuit IS justified, but at what cost? I'll take option 2 over ruining a good company who does make outstanding cards (when advertised correctly).