What do they mean?!

[Jimmie481]

Firstly, thank you for your attention. I'm interested in updating my video card to a gtx 970. I'd like to know what all those numbers and acronyms mean that follow "970." When I look at prices, there are differences between 970's and I'd like to know why. Thank you.
-Jim-

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

Depends on what manufacturer you're looking at..

 

[ryguybuddy]

Hey Jimmie481,

First off, a 970 is a generation old card and a GTX 1070 would be better at the same (slightly higher) price point.

There are things called "partner cards".

Companies like EVGA, Gigabyte, Asus, etc. get the core components (GPU, etc.) from Nvidia and then create I/O ports, memory, power phases, and what differs the most, the cooler. The cooler can have 1, 2, or 3 fans on it and obviously more fans are better, but not crucial. The only cards you should not get unless in very specific circumstances are the Founders Edition or any "blower style" cooler.

Example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127948

That all said, any custom card that is not blower style and is preferably 2 fans would do the job the exact same as the rest. Pick the one that you like (be it looks, cost, size, etc.)

TL;DR They are pretty much all the same, just don't get a blower-style or FE card.

 

[littleleo]

Firstly, thank you for your attention. I'm interested in updating my video card to a gtx 970. I'd like to know what all those numbers and acronyms mean that follow "970." When I look at prices, there are differences between 970's and I'd like to know why. Thank you.
-Jim-

The GTX 970 is the Chip made by Nvidia and sold to its board partners. They in turn dress up their cards and may have several versions of them. Think about buying a car say you went to buy a Toyota Van there are many versions and many different features you can have. the same with the VGA cards you have the base unit and then the board partners add different features for different segments they are trying to hit.

Only the GTX 970 is the old EOL model if I were you I'd look at the GTX 1060 6GB model. It is less then what you would have paid for the GTX 970 and it performs like the GTX 980. A win win for you.

 

[Jimmie481]

Thank you for your reply. Now, would these cards fit into a gateway dx4850-45c chassis and would the card you suggest run a rift?

The GTX 970 is the Chip made by Nvidia and sold to its board partners. They in turn dress up their cards and may have several versions of them. Think about buying a car say you went to buy a Toyota Van there are many versions and many different features you can have. the same with the VGA cards you have the base unit and then the board partners add different features for different segments they are trying to hit.

Only the GTX 970 is the old EOL model if I were you I'd look at the GTX 1060 6GB model. It is less then what you would have paid for the GTX 970 and it performs like the GTX 980. A win win for you.[/quotemsg]

 

[littleleo]

Thank you for your reply. Now, would these cards fit into a gateway dx4850-45c chassis and would the card you suggest run a rift?

The GTX 970 is the Chip made by Nvidia and sold to its board partners. They in turn dress up their cards and may have several versions of them. Think about buying a car say you went to buy a Toyota Van there are many versions and many different features you can have. the same with the VGA cards you have the base unit and then the board partners add different features for different segments they are trying to hit.

Only the GTX 970 is the old EOL model if I were you I'd look at the GTX 1060 6GB model. It is less then what you would have paid for the GTX 970 and it performs like the GTX 980. A win win for you.

As I said before there are all kinds of versions of the cards; check your case to see how much clearance you have and buy the version that will fit.