What GTX 970 is the best?

[megalizardfish]

I'm trying to decide which model 970 to get. I heard the MSI version is the best, but I want to know for sure.

 

[daniel_blacke]

I did a lot of research and I chose the MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4 GB. I regret it not one bit. It rocks!

 

[jdw_swb]

From overclock.net - GTX 970 Comparison: STRIX vs MSI Gaming vs Gigabyte G1

MSI GTX 970 Gaming

- Base core clock of 1051mhz w/boost 1178mhz (silent mode) / 1114mhz w/boost 1253mhz (gaming mode) / 1140mhz w/boost 1279mhz (OC mode); these selections apply to MSI's gaming app, otherwise the default core clock is 1114mhz w/boost 1253mhz
- Memory clock of 1753mhz (7010mhz effective); Samsung IC's
- 6 Phase power delivery
- 2 x DVI port, 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DP v1.2
- Dual fan HSF design featuring idle fan shutoff (when under 60c); the overall height of the cooling solution is slightly less than two slots to provide better cooling for sli configurations.
- *1 x 6pin ATX power connector and 1 x 8 pin ATX power connector; combined max rated draw of 300w (75w pcie, 75w 6pin, 150w 8pin).
- Overall length of ~27cm (269mm)

Pros:

- Improved power delivery
- Samsung memory IC's; factory clocked for 7ghz but will often overclock to 7800-8000mhz
- *High maximum rated power draw (for overclocking purposes)
- Quiet air cooling solution
- Smallest/thinnest card (of the three compared); better for small cases and will perform better in sli configurations temperature wise
- Features a metal plate/heatsink covering the memory IC's and some circuitry on the front side of the PCB; more effective cooling in comparison to the STRIX card

Cons:

- No backplate
- *4 memory IC's on the rear side of the PCB; could result in lower overclocks due to no airflow/heatsink contact, also loses potential for a full cover block to properly cool all the memory IC's
- *Poor vrm cooling solution; small secondary heatsink that receives little airflow due to the placement of the 2 fan HSF design

ASUS GTX 970 STRIX

- Base core clock 1114mhz w/boost 1253mhz
- Memory clock of 1753mhz (7010mhz effective); Samsung IC's
- 6 Phase power delivery
- 2 x DVI port, 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DP v1.2
- Dual fan HSF design featuring idle fan shutoff (when under 60c)
- *1 x 8 pin ATX power connector; combined max rated draw of 225w (75w pcie and 150w 8pin).
- Overall length of 28cm
- GPU Backplate

Pros:

- Improved power delivery
- Samsung memory IC's; factory clocked for 7ghz but will often overclock to 7800-8000mhz
- Passive cooling during idle/non-3d load; offers quieter performance
- Quiet air cooling solution
- Backplate
- *All 8 memory IC's are located on the front side of the pcb; better airflow and cooling (although the stock heatsink does not make any contact with the IC's), best solution when considering water cooling for highest memory overclocks

Cons:

- *Lowest stock TDP/Power limit; only 1 x 8pin ATX power connection, note this is fine for general overclocking and stock use but do not expect possible benchmark record performance
- Least effective cooling solution of the three concerning core, memory, and vrm temperatures.
- *Poor vrm cooling solution; small secondary heatsink that receives little airflow due to the placement of the 2 fan HSF design


Gigabyte GTX 970 Gaming G1

- Base core clock 1178mhz w/boost 1329mhz
- Memory clock of 1750mhz (7000mhz effective); Samsung IC's
- 5 Phase power delivery
- 2 x DVI port, 1 x HDMI 2.0, 3 x DP v1.2
- Triple fan HSF solution
- 1 x 6pin ATX power connector and 1 x 8 pin ATX power connector; combined max rated draw of 300w (75w pcie, 75w 6pin, 150w 8pin).
- Overall length of ~31cm (312mm)
- GPU Backplate

Pros:

- Improved power delivery
- Highest factory core clock/boost
- Samsung memory IC's; factory clocked for 7ghz but will often overclock to 7800-8000mhz
- High maximum rated power draw (for overclocking purposes)
- Most effective cooling solution (especially when it comes to VRM section of the board)
- Best air cooled solution
- *Highest stock TDP/Power Limit (for overclocking purposes)
- Backplate
- Most display connectivity 3xDP 1xHDMI 2xDVI

Cons:

- Loudest cooling solution of the three cards
- Largest and tallest card; not ideal for small cases or Sli conifgurations
- *4 memory IC's on the rear side of the PCB; could result in lower overclocks due to no airflow/heatsink contact, also loses potential for a full cover block to properly cool all the memory IC's

 

[manmeetpaul]

One advice.
Whichever one is the cheapest. They are all good. All run cool, power efficient. This is nothing to think about. Save yourself 10$( I don't think the difference can be more than that) and specially time. No card is better than the other.
Very best