Anyone running a GTX 970 video card?

[Skyyr]

I've been running an AMD 6970 2GB card and, while it can run everything on max, frame rates would drop to the low 20's when the card was stressed (e.g. Over detailed terrain in a large furball in an arena with clouds).

I'm considering the Gigabyte Gaming G1 970GTX 4GB card, provided no one has any negative experience with them

Link to card: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NH5T1MS/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?pc_redir=T1

Thanks.

[Gman]

I have 2 970s in one system from another maker (eVGA).  I think everyone who has a 970 or 980 has been pretty happy with them, I've had no trouble with either the 970sli or 980 single I'm using, and am pretty happy with the jump in performance/$ over previous cards.

I think Spikes has that Gigabyte G1 card - IMO it's probably the best 970 available, although I think eVGA may be easier to deal with so far as warranty goes, I've heard little bad about Gigabyte in this regard either.  The G1 has a high stock clock, dual bios, and 4 heatpipes in the heatsink.  Many reviews I've read rate it the best 970 card out there right now.

Shoot Spikes a PM, I'm pretty certain that's the 970 he is running.

[gpwurzel]

I'm running a geforce gtx970 - replaced cross fired 5770's - no negative experience so far. My screen has a refresh rate of 60, and it runs at that consistently, regardless of what I'm flying over/in.

Wurz

[ImADot]

I recently replaced the guts of my computer and can run everything maxxed. Even though I can fully max it, I opted to only have the environmental mapping on the second setting (the one just above a static image so it at least moves). I have had zero issues so far, and am also playing around with FarCry 4 and Elite: Dangerous fully maxxed.

Current Rig:
Antec 1200 ATX Tower Case
GigaByte GA-X99-UD4 Mobo w/ 16Gb RAM
Intel i7 5820k, Win7 64-bit
NVidia GTX 970 4Gb ACX 2.0
Track IR, CH Fighterstick, CH Pro Throttle, CH Pro Pedals

[Spikes]

I have 2 970s in one system from another maker (eVGA).  I think everyone who has a 970 or 980 has been pretty happy with them, I've had no trouble with either the 970sli or 980 single I'm using, and am pretty happy with the jump in performance/$ over previous cards.

I think Spikes has that Gigabyte G1 card - IMO it's probably the best 970 available, although I think eVGA may be easier to deal with so far as warranty goes, I've heard little bad about Gigabyte in this regard either.  The G1 has a high stock clock, dual bios, and 4 heatpipes in the heatsink.  Many reviews I've read rate it the best 970 card out there right now.

Shoot Spikes a PM, I'm pretty certain that's the 970 he is running.

Gman is correct, I do have the G1 and it is fantastic. In my opinion it is the best card in the 970 line...just make sure you pick up the G1 and not the WFOC since they are two different cards. It has been flawless for me so far, though.

[Bino]

GTX 980 here, and very happy with it:

http://kenshelby.us/docs/pc-parts.htm

[Skyyr]

Awesome - thanks for the feedback. I ordered the card and it should be here tomorrow.

Thanks!

[ebfd11]

Skyrr you should have looked around... sorry to say ..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125685

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487076

I run the EVGA 970 on a water cooling loop and I have had no problems whatsoever.

You will enjoy the card and see a total difference in the game.

LAwnDart

[Skyyr]

Skyrr you should have looked around... sorry to say ..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125685

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487076

I run the EVGA 970 on a water cooling loop and I have had no problems whatsoever.

You will enjoy the card and see a total difference in the game.

LAwnDart

Hey LawnDart,

If that rebate is a manufacturer rebate, it'll apply to the card I purchased. I prefer dealing with Amazon due to their no-hassle return policy, even for computer parts. Newegg has a no return/no refund policy with that card (and many other components). Factor in free two-day shipping from Amazon vs 4-7 day shipping from Newegg, and Amazon is the better seller, in my opinion.

Thanks for the good report on the card - it should be here today. Can't wait to use it.

-=S=-

[Zerstorer]

I got two of the Zotac 970 cards for xmas.  I've alternated between eVGA and MSI for years but I've been impressed with these so far.

[Gman]

A bit O/T, but Lawndart, many of those who are just running stock air cooling on their eVGA 970 cards have found that they don't overclock nearly as well as many reviewers initially said with their test/demo cards.  This is very common, and I have 2 Superclock ACX non ref coolers, and they don't o/c very well, either in SLI or singly.

Just wondering with the water cooling loop you're running if you're overclocking them, and what kind of numbers you can pull while doing so?  I've always used a closed factory liquid cooling deal from Corsair or whatever for the CPU, but have never gotten into full water cooling for the entire system, but am thinking about it.  Just like to know what it's doing for your GPUs, as I assume if you're going through the trouble/cost of a water loop, you're going to take some advantage of that by o/c'ing.

[ebfd11]

A bit O/T, but Lawndart, many of those who are just running stock air cooling on their eVGA 970 cards have found that they don't overclock nearly as well as many reviewers initially said with their test/demo cards.  This is very common, and I have 2 Superclock ACX non ref coolers, and they don't o/c very well, either in SLI or singly.

Just wondering with the water cooling loop you're running if you're overclocking them, and what kind of numbers you can pull while doing so?  I've always used a closed factory liquid cooling deal from Corsair or whatever for the CPU, but have never gotten into full water cooling for the entire system, but am thinking about it.  Just like to know what it's doing for your GPUs, as I assume if you're going through the trouble/cost of a water loop, you're going to take some advantage of that by o/c'ing.

Well I have never gotten in to OC'ing and the only reason is I live in Ga now and it gets mighty hot down here during the summer months. So I took advantage of the water cooling. The card I have is the http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=04G-P4-2978-KR and I love this card as it comes O/C already.

[Spikes]

Lawndart the Gigabyte card you posted is the WFOC card which has no dual bios, plastic fan shrouds, a lower stock clock and most importantly two heatpipes compared to the G1's four heat pipes, thus the lower cost.

[Rob52240]

I have one but it's from EVGA.

I would avoid gigabyte products and I've been working with electronics for a living for 15 years.

They skimp on materials, especially copper in order to sell their products at a lower price point than their competitors.

I would suggest a 970 made by Asus or Evga.

[Masherbrum]

Lawndart the Gigabyte card you posted is the WFOC card which has no dual bios, plastic fan shrouds, a lower stock clock and most importantly two heatpipes compared to the G1's four heat pipes, thus the lower cost.

Correct.