Which GTX 970?

[Spev]

I have been nervous about upgrading to the 900 series because of reports of coil whine...but Frys has 30 day money back guarantee so I'm gonna try it out.

 

My current preferred pick from ASUS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121899&cm_re=gtx970-_-14-121-899-_-Product

 

EVGA: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487076&cm_re=gtx970-_-14-487-076-_-Product

 

GIGABYTE: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125685&cm_re=gtx970-_-14-125-685-_-Product

 

Recommendations? I watched Linus' review on the Asus model. I was really impressed about the 0db mode as I play a ton of League! I have been a fan of EVGA in the past and noticed it has some higher clock speeds. I don't have any experience with GIGABYTE GPUs but figured it should be included in comparison. 

 

What do you guys think would be best? Thanks for any input!!

 

[Menzenski]

Personally I'm a big fan of that gigabyte one for its output connectors.  Other than that, all three should be fast, quiet cards.

[thekeemo]

^ also higher quality components

[DeViLzzz]

I would not touch the EVGA cards with that controversy about them using old coolers with the new cards.  No way I'd buy from them due to that.

[spenser_l]

Good luck getting a Strix card, they're on back order in most places. I'm gonna be waiting 1+ months for mine, but hopefully it's worth it.

 

Edit: As for comparing the different versions of the card, here's someone's post with some benchmarks: http://www.overclock.net/t/1516121/gtx-970-comparison-strix-vs-msi-gaming-vs-gigabyte-g1

[Spev]

I would not touch the EVGA cards with that controversy about them using old coolers with the new cards.  No way I'd buy from them due to that.

Wowza, had not heard about that Yikes.

[Spev]

Good luck getting a Strix card, they're on back order in most places. I'm gonna be waiting 1+ months for mine, but hopefully it's worth it.

 

Edit: As for comparing the different versions of the card, here's someone's post with some benchmarks: http://www.overclock.net/t/1516121/gtx-970-comparison-strix-vs-msi-gaming-vs-gigabyte-g1

Yup, I couldn't find any online that weren't necessarily marked up. Gonna be a 30 min drive to this Frys but it's the closest one =/ They have it in stock fortunately.

[ZiggyManSaad]

I'm really liking my Gigabyte. I was able to get it clocked up to 1543 MHz. I'm pretty sure that's the roof though. I shall keep investigating. 

[Spev]

Does anyone think the 0db will effect the life of the card? Or is the automatic staying under 65C temp low enough to where that won't effect longevity? Although it seems like an awesome feature it almost seems better to have fans at least on low all the time.

[TheProfosist]

The new mini ITX one that Chibi PC wants pretty badly.