ZOTAC ZT-90101-10P GeForce GTX 970 vs GIGABYTE GV-N970G1 GAMING-4GD GeForce GTX 970

[Draydince]

My question is in regards to the regular (non amp/core/etc) version of the zotac 970 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500362&cm_re=gtx_970-_-14-500-362-_-Product

and gigabyte gaming g1 970 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125684&cm_re=gtx_970-_-14-125-684-_-Product

and to a lesser extent, a middle ground consideration, the ZOTAC ZT-90106-10P GeForce GTX 970 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500369&cm_re=gtx_970-_-14-500-369-_-Product

right now the 2 fan zotac is on sale for 309. The other two are rougly 350.

Would you say the other two models are worth the 40 dollar price jump?

Pros to the zotac 970 (2 bladed)
PRICE

Size

two 6 pin connectors vs the use of 8. This isn't a huge issue, but I feel more comfortable with 6 pin connectors than 6+2 that +2 feels like a little tumor trying to squeeze life through it's little tumor veins.

Cons: somewhat frequent in reviews reporting over heating (though I have 5 case fans, so this may not be an issue to me. It's hard to say, since most reviewers didn't include their own cooling setup while giving it a negative heating rating)

No back plate

Lesser "name brand" (I'm not a label whore, but I'm just not as familiar with zotac. I'm more than willing to give any company a try at least once)


Pros to the gigabyte gtx g1
3 fan cooling
widely regarded as a top pick for the 970 market
backplate

Cons:
PRICE

Length. I'm 99% sure i'd be able to fit it in my case, but even so the idea of that weight/strain is a bit unappealing to me.

3 fans. This was a pro for cooling, but I'm also worried about fan failure so worrying about 3 is a bit of an issue. especially considering that without looking in my computer, one could be dead and I wouldn't even know it until potential damage occured.

Annoying energy draining led light. I know this would be a pro to most, but literally the only time I see the inside of my case is if I'm changing out parts or doing general cleaning. I'd rather it not pointlessly drain energy. Not a huge issue, but a minor annoyance.

All in all, if you were in my position, would you deem the extra 40 dollars worth it? I'm not rich by any means. I'm a janitor at Walmart, so... ha.

 

[madmatt30]

For middle ground id personally go for the Asus strix.

The amp does look a monster for the money though I've no personal experience of it.

 

[Draydince]

For middle ground id personally go for the Asus strix.

The amp does look a monster for the money though I've no personal experience of it.

I was actually quite heavily considering the Asus card to begin with, but I read a lot of reports of it having hdmi issues. I frequently plug my computer into my tv via hdmi, and have been a bit turned away from that card due to the consistency in seeing that issue pop up.

 

[madmatt30]

Once you start researching you will find issues with all cards - people with problems post damning reviews,people without problems are so busy gaming they don't post reviews.

The Asus & GB g1 are solid cards with a lit of happy users.
The zotac are not popular in the USA but apart from those newegg reviews I've not really heard of any major problems with them.
I gave a less popular brand a tryout
http://www.galaxstore.net/mobile/Product.aspx?id=37511

That's the card I own ,it replaced a faulty msi gaming 970 & it has to be said the Galax is the better of the 2 cards by a long long way IMO.

Id have no hesitation recommending it but its not a card stocked by USA vendors.

 

[Draydince]

Can't say I'm too familiar with that brand, but it looks like a very nice card.

I actually recently returned an msi card. The card itself worked just fine, however at the time of me purchasing it it was advertised as coming with the witcher 3. Well they took forever to ship it to me, and by the time I actually got the card, the promotion had expired. I sent them several emails showing my purchase date was well within their promotion period, and they didn't reply to a single one. It wasn't until I searched around the web and found an email not listed on their website directly to a manager that I got a reply. After finally getting the reply, they gave me the run around so I returned the card. I didn't even really care about the game itself, but it felt like untrustworthy customer service. I figure if they were that way with a game, I can only imagine how much of a nightmare they would be if I ever had to utilize its warranty.

I suppose the Asus is back in the running of considerations. Though I'm a bit sour to it because it was on sale 10 dollars cheaper yesterday ha. Not a huge deal, but I hate paying more when I know in the back of my mind it was cheaper not very long ago.

 

[madmatt30]

The msi 970 I had developed a clicky fan after 2 weeks (not a common problem but a massive annoyance)
On a £270 card (UK prices) its not something you'd put up with.
For my first nvidia card for 6 years & the most expensive single component I've ever purchased I have to say build quality etc was ultimately a disappointment to me.
It just felt cheaply produced IMO & not a premium product,no backplate ,plastic fan shroud & too much flex.
Coming from an Asus direct cu II 280x there are not many cards around that feel as well made.
The galax was a loan card for 14 days as the msi was oos - I kept it in the end (at a £20 discount) as its plain & simple a better card irregardless of branding- build quality is pretty much identical to the Asus models.

Anyone who's owned an Asus direct cu model will understand what I'm talking about regarding build quality - they remain pretty much unmatched on that front.