Jump to content

Returning GTX 970

ignorethisone
Go to solution Solved by SteveGrabowski,

hey guys! I bought a EVGA GTX 970 last month and have until today to return it. I decided might as well, and buy something else. I just need some advice on what i should buy to replace it. I am currently running 27 inch 1440p monitor and plan on adding a second possibly in the spring. I play games such as shadows of mordor, skyrim, LOL, etc, and want to keep my options open for any new games coming out this year and the next. Any recommendations? 

 

R9 290x is the way to go if you're returning it. Email AMD Roy and you might get a discount on a 290x.

 

https://twitter.com/amd_roy/status/560462075193880576

 

I'm not sure what the Canadian promotion is (or if there even is one), but in the US I got offered 10% off an XFX Double Dissipation R9 290x plus a free XFX baseball cap from newegg. With the discount it would have come to $285US after rebate for their 290x, which is a pretty nice price (though I would have bought the $300 MSI Lightning R9 290x had I returned the 970). I opted to just stick with my GTX 970 since the problem didn't look too bad from reviews done the last couple of days explicitly targeting that last 0.5GB of memory. But if you're returning your 970 check to see if AMD is offering anything to you to switch.

hey guys! I bought a EVGA GTX 970 last month and have until today to return it. I decided might as well, and buy something else. I just need some advice on what i should buy to replace it. I am currently running 27 inch 1440p monitor and plan on adding a second possibly in the spring. I play games such as shadows of mordor, skyrim, LOL, etc, and want to keep my options open for any new games coming out this year and the next. Any recommendations? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

290x

 

"My opinion is that your opinion is wrong." - AlwaysFSX    CPU I5 4690k MB MSI Gaming 5 RAM 2 x 4GB HyperX Blu DDR3 GPU Asus GTX970 Strix,  Case Corsair 760T Storage 1 x 120GB 840EVO 1 x 1TB WD Blue, 1 x 500GB Toshiba  

 The cave/beast v2 (OLD) http://imgur.com/a/8AmeH                                  PSU 600W Raidmax RX600AF Displays ASUS VS278Q-P x2, BenQ Xl2720z Cooling Dark Rock 3, 4 AP120s Keyboard Logitech G710+ Mouse Razer Deathadder 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

290X/980

Main Rig: CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X | RAM: 32GB (2x16GB) KLEVV CRAS XR RGB DDR4-3600 | Motherboard: Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX | Storage: 512GB SKHynix PC401, 1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus, 2x Micron 1100 256GB SATA SSDs | GPU: EVGA RTX 3080 FTW3 Ultra 10GB | Cooling: ThermalTake Floe 280mm w/ be quiet! Pure Wings 3 | Case: Sliger SM580 (Black) | PSU: Lian Li SP 850W

 

Server: CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3100 | RAM: 32GB (2x16GB) Crucial DDR4 Pro | Motherboard: ASUS PRIME B550-PLUS AC-HES | Storage: 128GB Samsung PM961, 4TB Seagate IronWolf | GPU: AMD FirePro WX 3100 | Cooling: EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB | Case: Corsair 5000D Airflow (White) | PSU: Seasonic Focus GM-850

 

Miscellaneous: Dell Optiplex 7060 Micro (i5-8500T/16GB/512GB), Lenovo ThinkCentre M715q Tiny (R5 2400GE/16GB/256GB), Dell Optiplex 7040 SFF (i5-6400/8GB/128GB)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

Why are you returning the GTX 970? The 3.5GB of (effective) frame buffer is enough.

 

Otherwise I'd suggest an R9 290/X.

CPU: 5820k 4.5Ghz 1.28v, RAM: 16GB Crucial 2400mhz, Motherboard: Evga X99 Micro, Graphics Card: GTX 780, Water Cooling: EK Acetal CPU/GPU blocks,


240mm Magicool slim rad, 280mm Alphacool rad, D5 Vario pump, 1/4 ID 3/4 OD tubing, Noctua Redux 140/120mm fans. PSU: Evga 750w G2 SSD: Samsung 850 Pro 256GB & Seagate SSHD 2TB Audio: Sennheiser HD558s, JBL! speakers, Fiio E10k DAC/Amp Monitor: Xstar DP2710LED @ 96hz (Korean Monitor) Case: Fractal Node 804

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

MSI R9 290X lightning

RIG: I7-4790k @ 4.5GHz | MSI Z97S SLI Plus | 12GB Geil Dragon RAM 1333MHz | Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 970 (1550MHz core/7800MHz memory) @ +18mV(Maxed out at 1650/7800 so far) | Corsair RM750 | Samsung 840 EVO 120GB, 1TB Seagate Barracuda | Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Closed) | Sound Blaster Z                                                                                                                        Getting: Noctua NH-D15 | Possible 250GB Samsung 850 Evo                                                                                        Need a console killer that actually shits on every console? Here you go (No MIR/Promo)

This is why you should not get an FX CPU for ANY scenario other than rendering on a budget http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/286142-fx-8350-r9-290-psu-requirements/?p=3892901 http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/266481-an-issue-with-people-bashing-the-fx-cpus/?p=3620861

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

Why are you returning the GTX 970? The 3.5GB of (effective) frame buffer is enough.

 

Otherwise I'd suggest an R9 290/X.

I understand that the "problem" is only under certain conditions like 4k and stuff. But games and such are becoming more and more depending in terms of the graphics card power they require. While I am 99% sure I wont run into the problem, its just that if I do upgrade my display to 4k, I dont want to also have to get another graphics card. I was willing to buy another 970 to go SLI, but it would be useless to have a card sitting around which I cant do anything with. I only bought a 970 and not another cheaper card is because I can't aford to buy a card everytime something new comes out. It needs to last at least a few more years.   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

I understand that the "problem" is only under certain conditions like 4k and stuff. But games and such are becoming more and more depending in terms of the graphics card power they require. While I am 99% sure I wont run into the problem, its just that if I do upgrade my display to 4k, I dont want to also have to get another graphics card. I was willing to buy another 970 to go SLI, but it would be useless to have a card sitting around which I cant do anything with. I only bought a 970 and not another cheaper card is because I can't aford to buy a card everytime something new comes out. It needs to last at least a few more years.   

I like that there is rational thinking behind this. Good job OP, you got past the NVIDIA bashing/astroturfing and arrived at a sensible conclusion.

Main Rig: CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X | RAM: 32GB (2x16GB) KLEVV CRAS XR RGB DDR4-3600 | Motherboard: Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX | Storage: 512GB SKHynix PC401, 1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus, 2x Micron 1100 256GB SATA SSDs | GPU: EVGA RTX 3080 FTW3 Ultra 10GB | Cooling: ThermalTake Floe 280mm w/ be quiet! Pure Wings 3 | Case: Sliger SM580 (Black) | PSU: Lian Li SP 850W

 

Server: CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3100 | RAM: 32GB (2x16GB) Crucial DDR4 Pro | Motherboard: ASUS PRIME B550-PLUS AC-HES | Storage: 128GB Samsung PM961, 4TB Seagate IronWolf | GPU: AMD FirePro WX 3100 | Cooling: EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB | Case: Corsair 5000D Airflow (White) | PSU: Seasonic Focus GM-850

 

Miscellaneous: Dell Optiplex 7060 Micro (i5-8500T/16GB/512GB), Lenovo ThinkCentre M715q Tiny (R5 2400GE/16GB/256GB), Dell Optiplex 7040 SFF (i5-6400/8GB/128GB)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

290X/980

do you know any Canadian retailers that offer a fair price for the 980? I have seen many 290x, but the US prices compared to Canadian is almost always $100-$150.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

do you know any Canadian retailers that offer a fair price for the 980? I have seen many 290x, but the US prices compared to Canadian is almost always $100-$150.

I know not of any at the moment. It's too bad, Newegg CA did a sale where the 980 was $400 CAD ($315 USD.)

 

The cheapest card as of now is the AMP!.

Main Rig: CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X | RAM: 32GB (2x16GB) KLEVV CRAS XR RGB DDR4-3600 | Motherboard: Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX | Storage: 512GB SKHynix PC401, 1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus, 2x Micron 1100 256GB SATA SSDs | GPU: EVGA RTX 3080 FTW3 Ultra 10GB | Cooling: ThermalTake Floe 280mm w/ be quiet! Pure Wings 3 | Case: Sliger SM580 (Black) | PSU: Lian Li SP 850W

 

Server: CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3100 | RAM: 32GB (2x16GB) Crucial DDR4 Pro | Motherboard: ASUS PRIME B550-PLUS AC-HES | Storage: 128GB Samsung PM961, 4TB Seagate IronWolf | GPU: AMD FirePro WX 3100 | Cooling: EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB | Case: Corsair 5000D Airflow (White) | PSU: Seasonic Focus GM-850

 

Miscellaneous: Dell Optiplex 7060 Micro (i5-8500T/16GB/512GB), Lenovo ThinkCentre M715q Tiny (R5 2400GE/16GB/256GB), Dell Optiplex 7040 SFF (i5-6400/8GB/128GB)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

I understand that the "problem" is only under certain conditions like 4k and stuff. But games and such are becoming more and more depending in terms of the graphics card power they require. While I am 99% sure I wont run into the problem, its just that if I do upgrade my display to 4k, I dont want to also have to get another graphics card. I was willing to buy another 970 to go SLI, but it would be useless to have a card sitting around which I cant do anything with. I only bought a 970 and not another cheaper card is because I can't aford to buy a card everytime something new comes out. It needs to last at least a few more years.   

Even at 4k the 3.5GB of VRAM does fine in BF4 at least. http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Graphics-Cards/Frame-Rating-Looking-GTX-970-Memory-Performance/Battlefield-4-Results

Wait to see some more benchmarks done and/or try running some DSR 4k downsampling and see if it is an issue.

 

Otherwise my previous recommendation of R9 290/x still stands.

CPU: 5820k 4.5Ghz 1.28v, RAM: 16GB Crucial 2400mhz, Motherboard: Evga X99 Micro, Graphics Card: GTX 780, Water Cooling: EK Acetal CPU/GPU blocks,


240mm Magicool slim rad, 280mm Alphacool rad, D5 Vario pump, 1/4 ID 3/4 OD tubing, Noctua Redux 140/120mm fans. PSU: Evga 750w G2 SSD: Samsung 850 Pro 256GB & Seagate SSHD 2TB Audio: Sennheiser HD558s, JBL! speakers, Fiio E10k DAC/Amp Monitor: Xstar DP2710LED @ 96hz (Korean Monitor) Case: Fractal Node 804

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

Even at 4k the 3.5GB of VRAM does fine in BF4 at least. http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Graphics-Cards/Frame-Rating-Looking-GTX-970-Memory-Performance/Battlefield-4-Results

Wait to see some more benchmarks done and/or try running some DSR 4k downsampling and see if it is an issue.

 

Otherwise my previous recommendation of R9 290/x still stands.

thanks :) see I would have waited to see if AMD released any new cards and such.. but I had until JAN 31 (today) to return through amazon, because I didnt want to have to deal with nvidia refunds and bla bla dont know if they even return if there isn't actually a REAL problem.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

The R9 290X is the best option from AMD at the moment

OMG WHAT!? wow... I missed it..when was this?? I bought my 970 for $410 ($462 with tax and such)

Australia gets screwed on prices more then Canada, $565 for mine (including tax).

"We also blind small animals with cosmetics.
We do not sell cosmetics. We just blind animals."

 

"Please don't mistake us for Equifax. Those fuckers are evil"

 

This PSA brought to you by Equifacks.
PMSL

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

hey guys! I bought a EVGA GTX 970 last month and have until today to return it. I decided might as well, and buy something else. I just need some advice on what i should buy to replace it. I am currently running 27 inch 1440p monitor and plan on adding a second possibly in the spring. I play games such as shadows of mordor, skyrim, LOL, etc, and want to keep my options open for any new games coming out this year and the next. Any recommendations? 

 

R9 290x is the way to go if you're returning it. Email AMD Roy and you might get a discount on a 290x.

 

https://twitter.com/amd_roy/status/560462075193880576

 

I'm not sure what the Canadian promotion is (or if there even is one), but in the US I got offered 10% off an XFX Double Dissipation R9 290x plus a free XFX baseball cap from newegg. With the discount it would have come to $285US after rebate for their 290x, which is a pretty nice price (though I would have bought the $300 MSI Lightning R9 290x had I returned the 970). I opted to just stick with my GTX 970 since the problem didn't look too bad from reviews done the last couple of days explicitly targeting that last 0.5GB of memory. But if you're returning your 970 check to see if AMD is offering anything to you to switch.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

The R9 290X is the best option from AMD at the moment

Australia gets screwed on prices more then Canada, $565 for mine (including tax).

hah that sucks ;( I would have assumed that becuase we are literally right beside eachother that the prices would be at least similar.. but i guess not. I need friends that live across the border to buy things for me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

Why are you returning the GTX 970? The 3.5GB of (effective) frame buffer is enough.

 

Otherwise I'd suggest an R9 290/X.

 

People casually forget that the 660Ti had the same split buffer arrangement, leaving 1.5GB of fast GDDR5 and 0.5GB of slow GDDR5, yet it survived (and still survives) just fine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

R9 290x is the way to go if you're returning it. Email AMD Roy and you might get a discount on a 290x.

 

https://twitter.com/amd_roy/status/560462075193880576

 

I'm not sure what the Canadian discount is, but in the US I got offered 10% off an XFX Double Dissipation R9 290x and an XFX baseball cap from newegg. With the discount it would have come to $285US after rebate for their 290x. I opted to just stick with my 970 since the problem didn't look too bad from reviews done the last couple of days explicitly targeting that last 0.5GB of memory. But if you're returning your 970 check to see if AMD is offering anything to you to switch.

THANKS! luv you <3

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

People casually forget that the 660Ti had the same split buffer arrangement, leaving 1.5GB of fast GDDR5 and 0.5GB of slow GDDR5, yet it survived (and still survives) just fine.

Hmm, didn't know this. Have any proof?

Main Rig: CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X | RAM: 32GB (2x16GB) KLEVV CRAS XR RGB DDR4-3600 | Motherboard: Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX | Storage: 512GB SKHynix PC401, 1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus, 2x Micron 1100 256GB SATA SSDs | GPU: EVGA RTX 3080 FTW3 Ultra 10GB | Cooling: ThermalTake Floe 280mm w/ be quiet! Pure Wings 3 | Case: Sliger SM580 (Black) | PSU: Lian Li SP 850W

 

Server: CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3100 | RAM: 32GB (2x16GB) Crucial DDR4 Pro | Motherboard: ASUS PRIME B550-PLUS AC-HES | Storage: 128GB Samsung PM961, 4TB Seagate IronWolf | GPU: AMD FirePro WX 3100 | Cooling: EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB | Case: Corsair 5000D Airflow (White) | PSU: Seasonic Focus GM-850

 

Miscellaneous: Dell Optiplex 7060 Micro (i5-8500T/16GB/512GB), Lenovo ThinkCentre M715q Tiny (R5 2400GE/16GB/256GB), Dell Optiplex 7040 SFF (i5-6400/8GB/128GB)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hmm, didn't know this. Have any proof?

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6159/the-geforce-gtx-660-ti-review/2

 

The best case scenario is always going to be that the entire 192bit bus is in use by interleaving a memory operation across all 3 controllers, giving the card 144GB/sec of memory bandwidth (192bit * 6GHz / 8). But that can only be done at up to 1.5GB of memory; the final 512MB of memory is attached to a single memory controller. This invokes the worst case scenario, where only 1 64-bit memory controller is in use and thereby reducing memory bandwidth to a much more modest 48GB/sec.

 

 

Its Anand Tech, Ryan explained it very well (maybe Nvidia gave him information on this or he made a correct assumption on the layout) so before people start crying "DAE NVIDIA APOLOGISTS?" realize that Anand Tech doesn't give a damn about fanboyism of this degree. 

They called it like they saw it. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6159/the-geforce-gtx-660-ti-review/2

 

 

 

Its Anand Tech, Ryan explained it very well (maybe Nvidia gave him information on this or he made a correct assumption on the layout) so before people start crying "DAE NVIDIA APOLOGISTS?" realize that Anand Tech doesn't give a damn about fanboyism of this degree. 

They called it like they saw it. 

 

the 550ti 1GB, 660 2GB and 660ti 2GB cards all had similar slow memory partitions. luckily the 660/660Ti had 3GB versions without the slow partition. 

R9 3900XT | Tomahawk B550 | Ventus OC RTX 3090 | Photon 1050W | 32GB DDR4 | TUF GT501 Case | Vizio 4K 50'' HDR

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

the 550ti 1GB, 660 2GB and 660ti 2GB cards all had similar slow memory partitions. luckily the 660/660Ti had 3GB versions without the slow partition. 

Would the GTX650Ti 2GB (cut down GTX660) have the same issues? Because I have one here that I could test.

"We also blind small animals with cosmetics.
We do not sell cosmetics. We just blind animals."

 

"Please don't mistake us for Equifax. Those fuckers are evil"

 

This PSA brought to you by Equifacks.
PMSL

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

Would the GTX650Ti 2GB (cut down GTX660) have the same issues? Because I have one here that I could test.

 

no. its got a 128bit bus. you're fine.

R9 3900XT | Tomahawk B550 | Ventus OC RTX 3090 | Photon 1050W | 32GB DDR4 | TUF GT501 Case | Vizio 4K 50'' HDR

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×