Which GTX 970 is preferred for gaming with a 4th Gen i5?

[1405]

Naturally, I would like the fastest out-of-the-box core clock. But more important is the dependability and lack of coil whine that I have heard so much about with 970s here on the forum. Can you recommend a make and model for me? Thanks.

Btw, I will be gaming at 1920x1080 for now. But that may change if the card's performance seems to indicate that it would be able to perform well at higher resolutions.

 

[i7Baby]

For fastest see http://www.tomshardware.de/nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-gtx-980-roundup-vergleichstest,testberichte-241658-18.html eg Gigabyte G1

For best all round see http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2014/09/19/nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-review/14 MSI Gaming

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Give this a quick look.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1516121/gtx-970-comparison-strix-vs-msi-gaming-vs-gigabyte-g1
GTX 970 Comparison: STRIX vs MSI Gaming vs Gigabyte G1

I have the MSI GREAT CARD.

 

[Alex Kelly]

They're all the same chip. Really depends on what you think will look better in your case, all cards will be within 1-3 fps of each other during gaming.
I think the best 970s out right now are the MSI, EVGA FTW+ and new SSC, and the ASUS Strix.

 

[ONKI]

my suggestion would be Gigabyte G1 gaming.
better specs better cooling, better design with backplate

 

[Alex Kelly]

Gigabyte is the loudest & ugliest card though 😛 I'd rather have no backplate than have the one that's on the G1.

It does usually perform the best out of the bunch though.

 

[1405]

Thanks for all the replies. Lots of valuable reading. But the more I read, the more I keep changing my mind. I like the Gigabyte, and I have plenty of room for its length, and appearance isn't a big deal because I don't have a windowed side panel. But I also like the Evga FTW, but heard it had coil whine problems. But it does have the fastest out of box core clock.

I wonder why card designers never standardized on 'pretty side up' when they build cards.

 

[Alex Kelly]

I think you should wait for some EVGA FTW+ reviews. It has a backplate, and is completely redesigned with new MOSFETs. Hopefully that means no coil whine.