Which 970 is the best?

[ThatOneGuyThatOnlyPlaysPC]

So for Christmas I am going to order a gtx 970, and I need to know which one would be the best and last for several years. I can get the most expensive one at this point, which is the Zotac 970 Amp Extreme, and I'm leaning toward buying that card because it looks awesome and it's clocked really high. So any help from you guys would be appreciated!

[Toddwjp]

the gigabyte G1 gaming one is the best. it has binned chips and probably the best cooler

[vlkn´]

Why would you buy the most expensive. The reason to get a 970 instead of a 980 is to save money.

Get a decent boardpartner design,

Asus/msi/gigabyte

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

I like the ASUS strix or EVGA with reference cooler.

[helpingaskewcokemansarcasm]

G1 Gaming, no questions really it's faster and cooler than the rest, Gigabyte have good RMA service and it's not a bank breaker.

 

ASUS card is nice, but ASUS is a trainwreck when it comes to customer support.

[Createinator]

ITS GALAX HOF, ITS ALWAYS GALAX HOF!

[MountainDrew]

Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming.

[ThatOneGuyThatOnlyPlaysPC]

ITS GALAX HOF, ITS ALWAYS GALAX HOF!

If you can link me to a place to buy it at then I will buy it!

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

ITS GALAX HOF, ITS ALWAYS GALAX HOF!

 

Pretty white, but doesn't fit my color scheme lel.

[Imakuni]

RUN AWAY FROM ZOTAC AMP CARDS. I've seen at least 3 reviews where they had problems to OC the card. In fact, you can only OC it with Zotac's software, and can't use the be all end all Msi Afterburner. Do a favor to yourself, don't get it.

 

To all the guys saying G1 Gaming: there is another option that costs much less, while granting the very same OC capabilities. That option is the Gigabyte NON-g1 gaming windforce edition. Really, you are paying more for a backplate, a blue LED and a factory OC that you'll override anyway.

 

That said, I suggest getting either the MSI Gaming 4G or the Gigabyte 'stock' Windforce. If you'll SLI, get the MSI card, hands down. Otherwise, if pricing is about the same, get the one that looks best for you. And last, if there is a major price disparity, get the cheapest.

[dadasmithywinkle]

I have the Golden Edition MSI TwinFrozr V 970 and it works great! Regardless of the fact that the GE's were limited to a production of 2,000 and are now sold out, I'd believe that the normal aluminum Gaming 970 with the TwinFrozr V from MSi will work great, too.