What is the best GTX 970 Variant?

[SS12]

I know there are a few threads out there that ask the same question about the GTX 970, but none of them have satisfied me with a good enough answer. I'm stuck between all of the following non-reference cards:


Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 970 ($359.99): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125684&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

EVGA FTW ACX 2.0 GTX 970 ($359.99): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487077&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

EVGA SuperClocked ACX 2.0 GTX 970 ($349.99): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487076&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

MSI 4G Gaming Twin Frozr V ($349.99): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127832&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Asus Strix GTX 970($348.99): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121899&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=


So which is is the best for the money? I'm looking to overclock, so I'm looking for the best potential. I also appreciate silence, although a bit of noise won't bother me. I was leaning towards the EVGA cards, since they have the fastest stock base clock speeds and their size doesn't require me to remove my hard drive cage (not that I need them anyways), but then I saw other reviews saying MSI and Gigabyte are better. I also saw that the Asus Strix was the quietest. I'm not planning for to game at 4k resolutions, just at 1080p. Please take the time to justify your response; I'd like to know how you arrived at your conclusion.

So which one is the best overall card for the price?

Thanks in advance! 😀.

 

[unknownofprob]

In terms of Overclocking Potential, the Gigabyte G1 Gaming would be the best of the lot. The new cooler has an excellent TDP capability, which exceeds all of the other coolers.

For the money, there all pretty close to the same cost really, making the choice even easier.

Overclock.net made a lovely review here -

http://www.overclock.net/t/1516121/gtx-970-comparison-strix-vs-msi-gaming-vs-gigabyte-g1

 

[SS12]

The only problem with the Gigabyte card is its length. It will fit in the case, but I have to take out the drive cages. I wish that comparison included the EVGA cards.

 

[CAaronD]

They are all very VERY similar. Does aesthetics matter to you? If it doesn't, as Unknownofprob said, get the Gigabyte model. The MSI is a very popular choice too. Not too certain about Strix. I use Galaxy's exoc black 970 myself.

The Gigabyte is better than the EVGA in terms of potential. Also since they're the same price I would rather go for the Gigabyte.

 

[unknownofprob]

The only problem with the Gigabyte card is its length. It will fit in the case, but I have to take out the drive cages. I wish that comparison included the EVGA cards.

removing the drive cages would be worth it. The EVGA is a solid card, but it's cooler is not a match for even the MSI gaming twin forzr. The only reason to buy and consider the EVGA would be for their customer support.

 

[nikoli707]

all 4 brands are going to be bottlenecked by the air cooler long before the core is starved of voltage. none of them are binned chips either. get whatever card you think looks the best, has the quietest cooler, has the lowest temps, etc. otherwise there is nothing special about 970 boards.

 

[Sezanmk]

I know there are a few threads out there that ask the same question about the GTX 970, but none of them have satisfied me with a good enough answer. I'm stuck between all of the following non-reference cards:


Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 970 ($359.99): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125684&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

EVGA FTW ACX 2.0 GTX 970 ($359.99): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487077&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

EVGA SuperClocked ACX 2.0 GTX 970 ($349.99): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487076&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

MSI 4G Gaming Twin Frozr V ($349.99): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127832&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Asus Strix GTX 970($348.99): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121899&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=


So which is is the best for the money? I'm looking to overclock, so I'm looking for the best potential. I also appreciate silence, although a bit of noise won't bother me. I was leaning towards the EVGA cards, since they have the fastest stock base clock speeds and their size doesn't require me to remove my hard drive cage (not that I need them anyways), but then I saw other reviews saying MSI and Gigabyte are better. I also saw that the Asus Strix was the quietest. I'm not planning for to game at 4k resolutions, just at 1080p. Please take the time to justify your response; I'd like to know how you arrived at your conclusion.

So which one is the best overall card for the price?

Thanks in advance! 😀.

Get the msi gtx 970 gaming 4g ....... For this reasons:
1\ Its the best one out there for overclocking.......
2\Some people actually got it to 1556 MHZ which is +225 and also +550 on the memory......
3\Even with fully overclocked mode & running heavy benchmarks; temprature never gets up to 68 C....
4\It's also the most quite one..... You can barely hear it......
5\The card is not so long AS GIGABYTE and will easily fit into your case.....

Only problem is it does not have a backplate....... Which is not a big deal for me ..... As any graphics card's home is inside the pc not outside.... So why a backplate???? If that's not a big deal with you TOO...... Then just get MSI....... I'm sure you won't regret it........