Which GTX 970 should I buy?

[Constipated Crow]

Hi there,

 

Before I start my question, here's my current build:

 

-XFX FX-777A-ZNF4 Radeon HD 7000 Series; AMD; Radeon HD 7770; 1000 MHz; CrossFire; 2048 x 1536 pixels; 2560 x 1600 pixels (FX-777A-ZNF4)

-Intel Core i7 i7-4790K CPU (Quad Core 4GHz, Socket H3 LGA-1150)

-Asrock Z97M ANNIVERSARY MATX Motherboard Socket 1150 (Intel Z97, 4x DDR3, 4x SATA III)

-HyperX FURY Series 8GB (2x 4GB) DDR3 1866MHz CL10 DIMM Memory Module Kit - Black

-EVGA 500B 500W 80+ BRONZE PC Power Supply

-LiteOn IHAS124-04 24x SATA Half Height Internal DVDRW Drive

-Seagate Barracuda 3.5 inch 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB 6GB/S Internal SATA Drive

-Fractal Design Core 1000 Series Micro ATX Case

 

As you can probably tell, my PC is severely bottlenecked, with my GPU not being up-to-date with my CPU. I have decided to buy a new GTX 970 for my system during Christmas, but cannot really make up my mind. I have considered the Gigabyte G1 Gaming, but it's too large for my case and the ASUS Strix only has an 8-pin power slot, which my PSU doesn't support. My question is, which GTX 970 would you recommend?

 

I currently play games like GTA 5, The Witcher 3, Empire: Total War, Total War: Attila, Cities Skylines, War Thunder, Battlefield Hardline, and a couple of other medium-high resource-intensive games. I would like to get at least high settings on these games (if not ultra) at 1080p (single monitor), and get 60 fps. Lastly, I don't really want any fanboys or fangirls on here, arguing that one is superior, due to nothing more than them owning that particular card. They all have their pros and cons, and I'd appreciate it if you'd state the advantages AND disadvantages for going with your chosen GPU.

 

So finally, which GTX 970 would you recommend, with a 6-pin power slot, small enough to fit into my case, and generally good without the need of overclocking (because I don't really have good cooling at the moment, so a high stock speed would be awesome).

 

Thank you to anyone who responds!

 

Cheers!

[Godlygamer23]

Moved to Graphics Cards.

[FatPenguin]

Tldr 

I would get an evga one.

[rcarteraz]

Tldr 

I would get an evga one.

Agreed, and you can check out their B stock cards for a discount.

 

http://www.evga.com/Products/ProductList.aspx?type=8

[Nena Trinity]

EVGA or MSI, but there is also the Sapphire R9 390!

[Aytex]

So your not considering the 390? you seem to want to play ultra 60 fps and a R9 390 is a excellent choice for performance

 

but if you favor the 970 i would say the G1, ACX, MSI or the B stock's listed above

[luke8733]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487088

This card looks to be great for you. It does need a 6 and 8-pin connector, but in one of the photos, it looks like it comes with an adapter. EVGA is great and reliable.

 

Watch this video for more information.

 

Please do more research about if it comes with he adapter, do not buy to just see.

[,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,]

I'm not a fan of EVGA graphics cards myself, but they have two 6 pins.

[Constipated Crow]

So your not considering the 390? you seem to want to play ultra 60 fps and a R9 390 is a excellent choice for performance

 

but if you favor the 970 i would say the G1, ACX, MSI or the B stock's listed above

I did consider the r9 390s, but they simply have too high of a voltage for my PSU (with a maximum of 275 WATTS, as opposed to the 970's 145 WATTS). Also, what does B stock mean exactly?

 

Cheers!

[Aytex]

I did consider the r9 390s, but they simply have too high of a voltage for my PSU (with a maximum of 275 WATTS, as opposed to the 970's 145 WATTS). Also, what does B stock mean exactly?

 

Cheers!

i quote from their website http://www.evga.com/Products/ProductList.aspx?type=8

 

"B-Stock Products are units which may have small scratches, small dents, or noticeable use which are Factory Recertified to meet or exceed the performance of a new product of the same model. These products do not come with any accessories and include a 1 year limited warranty."

[luke8733]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487088

This card looks to be great for you. It does need a 6 and 8-pin connector, but in one of the photos, it looks like it comes with an adapter. EVGA is great and reliable.

 

Watch this video for more information.

 

Please do more research about if it comes with he adapter, do not buy to just see.

note all of their other 970s have two 6pins

[don_svetlio]

I did consider the r9 390s, but they simply have too high of a voltage for my PSU (with a maximum of 275 WATTS, as opposed to the 970's 145 WATTS). Also, what does B stock mean exactly?

 

Cheers!

you do know that the TDP is not connected to voltage nor actual power draw? The one measured for the 970 is at 1000MHz and GPU Boost takes it to 1300-1400 making it draw around 200-210W average - only 60W less than a 390. 60W is not a game changer - if a PSU can't handle the 390, chances are it won't be enough for a 970 either

[Constipated Crow]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487088

This card looks to be great for you. It does need a 6 and 8-pin connector, but in one of the photos, it looks like it comes with an adapter. EVGA is great and reliable.

 

Watch this video for more information.

 

Please do more research about if it comes with he adapter, do not buy to just see.

Okay, I know of the SSC, and it's definitely one I'm considering (I have done tons of research already), but I have one question. You said that it needs an 8 and 6-pin power connector. Does this mean that I need both, or can I get away with just connecting the 6-pin?

[Constipated Crow]

note all of their other 970s have two 6pins

Does this mena that I need two 6-pins or do I just need one?

[Constipated Crow]

I'm not a fan of EVGA graphics cards myself, but they have two 6 pins.

Do I need two 6-pin connectors in order to use the GPU, or can I simply just use one?

[don_svetlio]

Does this mena that I need two 6-pins or do I just need one?

 

Do I need two 6-pin connectors in order to use the GPU, or can I simply just use one?

you need two at the very least - some 970s need a 6+8 pin

[Titan21]

 

Hi there,

 

Before I start my question, here's my current build:

 

-XFX FX-777A-ZNF4 Radeon HD 7000 Series; AMD; Radeon HD 7770; 1000 MHz; CrossFire; 2048 x 1536 pixels; 2560 x 1600 pixels (FX-777A-ZNF4)

-Intel Core i7 i7-4790K CPU (Quad Core 4GHz, Socket H3 LGA-1150)

-Asrock Z97M ANNIVERSARY MATX Motherboard Socket 1150 (Intel Z97, 4x DDR3, 4x SATA III)

-HyperX FURY Series 8GB (2x 4GB) DDR3 1866MHz CL10 DIMM Memory Module Kit - Black

-EVGA 500B 500W 80+ BRONZE PC Power Supply

-LiteOn IHAS124-04 24x SATA Half Height Internal DVDRW Drive

-Seagate Barracuda 3.5 inch 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB 6GB/S Internal SATA Drive

-Fractal Design Core 1000 Series Micro ATX Case

 

As you can probably tell, my PC is severely bottlenecked, with my GPU not being up-to-date with my CPU. I have decided to buy a new GTX 970 for my system during Christmas, but cannot really make up my mind. I have considered the Gigabyte G1 Gaming, but it's too large for my case and the ASUS Strix only has an 8-pin power slot, which my PSU doesn't support. My question is, which GTX 970 would you recommend?

 

I currently play games like GTA 5, The Witcher 3, Empire: Total War, Total War: Attila, Cities Skylines, War Thunder, Battlefield Hardline, and a couple of other medium-high resource-intensive games. I would like to get at least high settings on these games (if not ultra) at 1080p (single monitor), and get 60 fps. Lastly, I don't really want any fanboys or fangirls on here, arguing that one is superior, due to nothing more than them owning that particular card. They all have their pros and cons, and I'd appreciate it if you'd state the advantages AND disadvantages for going with your chosen GPU.

 

So finally, which GTX 970 would you recommend, with a 6-pin power slot, small enough to fit into my case, and generally good without the need of overclocking (because I don't really have good cooling at the moment, so a high stock speed would be awesome).

 

Thank you to anyone who responds!

 

Cheers!

 

GET THE EVGA !!

[,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,]

Do I need two 6-pin connectors in order to use the GPU, or can I simply just use one?

 

You will need two.

[Godlygamer23]

Do I need two 6-pin connectors in order to use the GPU, or can I simply just use one?

You should be plugging in what the card requires. That being said, 6 to 8 pin adapters do exist.

[Constipated Crow]

you do know that the TDP is not connected to voltage nor actual power draw? The one measured for the 970 is at 1000MHz and GPU Boost takes it to 1300-1400 making it draw around 200-210W average - only 60W less than a 390. 60W is not a game changer - if a PSU can't handle the 390, chances are it won't be enough for a 970 either

Well, 6 WATTS would be a game changer actually. I've don some digging around on the internet, and people have had their GPUs fried, or just stop working, or even the PSU being overdrawn power, frying a lot of their PC components. It's just not a risk I'm willing to take. Also, I've owned 2 AMD cards in the past, and they've both served me horrendously. I'm just willing to try a new type of card, due to my personal experience.

[Constipated Crow]

you need two at the very least - some 970s need a 6+8 pin

Are there any 6-pin to 2 6-pin adapters out there? Since my PSU only has 1 6-pin.

[Constipated Crow]

You will need two.

My PSU only has one, so how would I get around this issue?

[Constipated Crow]

You should be plugging in what the card requires. That being said, 6 to 8 pin adapters do exist.

And do 6-pin to 2 6-pin adapters exist? Only because my PSU has one 6-pin, and I'm not quite sure what to do.

[Godlygamer23]

And do 6-pin to 2 6-pin adapters exist? Only because my PSU has one 6-pin, and I'm not quite sure what to do.

You will need to buy a different card or a different power supply.

[,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,]

My PSU only has one, so how would I get around this issue?

 

I've worked with the EVGA 500B extensively at work, and it has two 6+2 pin connectors. You should double-check your unit.