Best GTX 970: The best Geforce graphic cards to buy in 2017-2018

Graphics card is by no means simple products!

Graphics cards are one of the most complex ones and are essential when you talk of GeForce GTX 970, it means you are looking for one of the most intricate and fastest graphics cards on the planet.

If you have a reliable and fast video graphic card, it means you are enjoying the scene too!

If not, then I am afraid you need to go through what we advise you.

And reviewing it is by no means an easy task but we have selected the Best GTX 970.

Best GTX 970

So, here is our list of best GTX 970 brands that you can buy right now.

GTX 970 Brands	Boost(Clock)	Video Memory	Price
EVGA GeForce GTX 970 (Editor’s Choice)	7,010 MHz	4 GB GDDR5	Check Price
MSI GeForce GTX 970	7,010 MHz	4 GB GDDR5	Check Price
Asus STRIX GTX970 (Editor’s Choice)	7,010 MHz	4 GB GDDR5	Check Price
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970	1178 MHz / 1329 MHz	4GB GDDR5	Check Price

1. EVGA GeForce GTX 970 Hybrid – Best GTX 970

A flagship graphics card by NVIDIA and EVGA, GeForce GTX 970 is one of the best sellers in its niche. It is the best among the GTX 970 to buy especially if you are looking to power 4k graphics quality gaming in 2018.

EVGA is a brand of value and it has earned the trust of its customers over the years. While the gamers might consider EVGA GTX 970 as an average graphics card under 500 dollars, for the average consumer it’s the best graphics card they can ever think of!

PerformanceFeaturesCompatibility

Overclocking

EVGA GTX 970 has a better and higher clock rates than many of the other GTX 970 which mean you will have 4k high-quality graphics that too without interruptions. Though you can overclock it if you are looking for a high-quality GTX 970 graphics card for gaming, you won’t need it altogether.

Cooling systems

Such high quality of graphics and high base clock rates don’t necessarily mean that the graphics card will heat up and burn out with time and usage.

This is especially not the case with EVGA GTX 970 which has an efficient cooling system with dual cooling fans unlike other GTX 970 graphics cards with single fan features.

This is especially very helpful if you like playing heavier games for longer periods of time as EVGA GTX 970 has a pair of cooling fans which even reduce the sound generated while working on heavy loads.

Ports and Accessibility

EVGA GTX 970 is installed with one HDMI 2.0 connector and three DisplayPort 1.2 that enables you to enjoy graphics up to a whopping 4K graphics resolution. However, if you are still stuck with analog displays or digital displays of older versions, there is a single DVI port to serve this purpose too!

EVGA GTX 970 is one of the best Virtual Reality graphics cards in the market that enables high-quality reality graphics display. This comes in quite handy when you are playing FPS games and want a real feel for the whole scenario.
DirectX12 is also supported on EVGA GTX 970 thus making it capable of efficiently supporting latest games with high-quality graphics.
EVGA GTX 970 also comes with the game stream option to NVIDIA SHIELD which will open a vast platform for playing games online and enjoy.
EVGA’s 24/7 Technical Support ensures that the buyers don’t have many issues with installations, assembling or the usage of EVGA GTX 970.
EVGA GTX 970 is equipped with a Memory Clock of 7010 MHz supported by 1664 CUDA Cores which ensure fast flowing graphics display.
EVGA GTX 970 is run over 4096MB GDDR5 VRAM that is quite sufficient for most of the gaming requirements and all of the common buyers’ needs.
A power of 500W or greater is required to power EVGA GTX 970 graphics card which is a bit higher. This can lead to more energy dissipation in the form of heat and noise.

EVGA GTX 970 at 1080p

If you are installing EVGA GTX 970 graphics card for a single 1080p display then you are good to go. It doesn’t matter how detailed the graphics are or how heavy the load it may put on the GPU, EVGA GTX 970 will run it for you in high quality and smooth manner.

EVGA GTX 970 at UltraHD or 4K Display

However, if you are looking forward to playing games at UltraHD Displays or at 4K graphics quality, it might not be that smooth a performance. In this case, EVGA GTX 970 as others of the same family cards might stumble and cause interruptions in the otherwise flowing graphics.

If this happens we advise you to switch to GTX 980 or install a dual of EVGA GTX 970 graphics cards.

EVGA GTX 970 at multiple screens

It is often seen that customers are looking to buy graphics cards that work equally well on multiple screens especially those who want to install them in multiple PC gaming arenas or those who wish to use them for HD surveillance for security purposes.

If you are looking up to EVGA GTX 970 for this purpose then it’s a thumb up for you because EVGA GTX 970 is capable of running graphics equally well on multiple screens too.

Pros

Watercooled
Flawless 1080p and 1440p gaming
EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB FTW+ 1367MHz boost clock
Low power consumption
Draws less power and generate less heat

Cons

It gets louder under load

2. MSI GeForce GTX 970

MSI GeForce GTX 970 is the sister card of MSI GeForce GTX 980 which has exactly the same specifications but is a lot faster in terms of its shader units.

If you are an ordinary buyer looking for some graphics card to help you in Virtual Ready displays, MSI GeForce GTX 970 is the best.

When we talk about MSI GeForce GTX 970 as a graphics card for gaming, even still it is quite competitive. The only area where it might lack is the flow of graphics.

According to Nvidia’s high-performance GeForce GTX 980 GPU, this enthusiast card from MSI offers a sizeable cost saving over a GTX 980 Ti while delivering plenty of performance. If you like your quality settings cranked up, then this card might be exactly what you need.

SpecificationsFeaturesPerformance

Let’s go through some of the specifications of MSI GeForce GTX 970. Ports and Accessibility MSI GeForce GTX 970 offers multiple options in terms of display connectivity.

It is equipped with two DVI ports, one HDMI port, and one DisplayPort. It means multi-display security monitoring to a wonderful gaming console, you can just enjoy anything with MSI GeForce GTX 970.

As far as sound connectivity is concerned, MSI GeForce GTX 970 is installed with HDMI 2.0 compatibility. This enables you to enjoy HD audio output and also cinematic Blu-ray 3D display. MSI GeForce GTX 970 SLI configuration Yes, if you want the best out of MSI GeForce GTX 970, you can join multiple GPUs in an SLI configuration.

Just as AMD has installed with CrossFire technology, NVIDIA SLI configuration enables you to enjoy up to three folds of 4k graphics experience by combining MSI GeForce GTX 970 together.

Cooling Systems

MSI GeForce GTX 970 has a really efficient cooling system to comprising of five heat pipes to transfer heat.

Be reminded that these pipes keep the graphics card cool even after long duration of usage. The memory unit has a separate heat sink for it that keeps it functioning well even when the card is overclocking.

MSI GeForce GTX 970 has an excellent pricing in comparison with other GPUs of same specifications. Just take a look at GTX 980 which is just faster rest all same but is a buck more expensive.
Another feature that makes GTX 970 great is its ability to work in a passive mode where it consumes much less power. This mode is automatically activated when the GPU is working on low load or is idle.
Noise is what most GPUs have issues with. However, MSI GeForce GTX 970 is very quiet while gaming. Even when it is working on a heavier load, it does not give off much noise either.
MSI GeForce GTX 970 is very power efficient as it consumes much less power than other GPUs. Even when you are overclocking or going for high graphics display, it won’t consume much power.
This great graphics card is wonderfully cool too. It works at cool temperatures even when the load is high. It has efficient cooling tubes that keep the memory unit cool at all times.

Falling in the middle of the purchase price range of our group test, the MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G provides a very nоtісеаblе реrfоrmаnсе bооst оvеr thе lеss ехреnsіvе саrds аt 1920 by 1080 resolution, although this gap can narrow as soon as you try to рush rеsоlutіоns muсh hіghеr аs thе lеss ехреnsіvе АМD Rаdеоn R9 380 and 390X cards come with double the quantity of RAM, allowing them to work with more detailed textures demanded at higher resolutions. This effect varies from game-to-game however.

Unfortunately, in a test of this card’s OC mode revealed no increase with occasional and increases declines in.

This Gaming 4G card is an example of a GeForce GTX 970. It doesn’t cost more than a standard model, but provides many improvements in quiet operation but also in performance and software support. Power consumption is kept low, enabling compatibility with less powerful system PSUs, especially if you’re considering a configuration.

Pros

Highly efficient even at 1080p display
Great overclocking potential
HDMI 2.0 supported
Absolutely noiseless

Cons

No backplate to support the card
Overclocking makes the GPU just slightly faster
Memory can’t be overclocked

3. Asus STRIX-GTX970

A GPU capable of running anything up to 1080p and even higher in some cases, Asus STRIX-GTX970 is one of the GPUs you should always be looking from among the best GTX 970 in the market.

It has recently taken place of GeForce GTX 770 but it is a lot better in performance and providing high definition gaming experience. Just go through the features if Asus STRIX-GTX970 and decide whatever suits you.

SpecificationsFeatures

Made up of exactly the same 28 nm GM204 silicon as GTX 980 and a shader count of 1,664, Asus STRIX-GTX970 is one of the fastest GPUs under 500. While its clock speeds stay over 1GHz at all times and can still be overclocked, its 256-bit memory bus bandwidth ensures smooth flow of graphics at as high as 1080p.

Cooling Systems

Asus STRIX-GTX970 uses the same cooling mechanism as ASUS GTX 780 however it has upgraded fan features. Its fans don’t work unless the card temperature exceeds 67°C.

This can come in quite handy if you are trying to save power while gaming. A backplate is also installed in Asus STRIX-GTX970 to keep it safe any external heat or dust.

Asus STRIX-GTX970 has three heat pipes installed in its STRIX cooler to keep the graphics card cool. A smaller heatsink is also there to provide cooling for the VRM.

Ports and Accessibility

Asus STRIX-GTX970 has many options available for you when it comes to display and sound connectivity. It is installed with two DVI(Digital Visual Interface) ports, one HDMI port, and one DisplayPort to support multiple graphics display. You can even use all of these at once and enjoy triple monitor gaming experience.

As far as sound connectivity is concerned, Asus STRIX-GTX970 is equipped with built-in HDMI sound device. It is also compatible with HDMI 2.0 as well as Blu-ray 3D cinematic support.

Maxwell Architecture

Asus STRIX-GTX970 is built on latest Maxwell architecture supporting the ultra-efficient GM204 GPU processor. This process is installed with a booming 5.2 billion transistors that mean you can even overclock the processor over its limits to enjoy the best GTX 970 gaming experience.

Asus STRIX-GTX970 is installed with 1253 MHz Boost clock for better performance and outstanding gaming experience even when you are playing games with more load on the GPU.
DirectCU II fan technology ensures that you aren’t disturbed as Asus STRIX-GTX970 practically gives off no noise. It lets you experience hardcore gaming in 30% cooler system and 3X quieter environment.
GPU Tweak feature helps you select the kind of experience you like yourself. It enables you to modify clock speeds, power supply, fan cooling and a lot more. It has an instinctive interface where you will feel like home.
6-phase Super Alloy Power feature enhances the cooling operation by 70% and reduces power loss inside the GPU circuitry. It also helps the card to overpower load and produce best flowing graphics.

Pros

Competitive pricing
Power saving passive operation in idle or low load
Very quiet in gaming especially in case of lighter games
Low power consumption due to 6-phase super alloy power
More efficient operation especially by Maxwell processor architecture
Great potential to overclock for heavier games
Backplate included protecting GPU from exterior damage

Cons

Overclocking results in small performance gains
Memory can’t be overclocked for heavier games

4. Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 is more like a genie among all the best GTX 970 list. Not only it delivers flawless gaming experience at a display of 1080p, but it also is the best graphics card for gaming at 1440p.

Just atke a look at its specifications because there is a reason why it is among the best GTX 970 list!

A part of G1 gaming edition, Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 comes with a faster clock speed and a wonderful black matte design. It is installed with a WindForce cooler to keep the heat off it and give you the best gaming graphics.

Features

This card is a bit longer in length due to the WindForce Cooler installed in it. As it is the SOC edition of GeForce G1 Gaming series, it has impressive factory clock speeds by default.

While its base clock is around 1178 MHz, you can just overclock it to 1329 MHz which is exactly like the base clock of GTX 980 G1 gaming series! It means you can enjoy the normal clock speeds of GTX 980 by overclocking Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970!

When it comes to processors and memory, Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 has lesser shader processors than GTX 980 of course. The reference memory of this GPU is 7.0 GHz supported by a memory bus of 256 bit.

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 is installed with a VRAM of 4GB GDDR5 which enables extraordinary liquid flow graphics to be served at your screen.

Cooling Systems

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 has a cooling solution that is circulated through a network of heat pipes. These heat pipes absorb heat from the GPU and keep it cool and functioning properly.

It is also installed with WindForce fan technology that keeps the air circulating in the GPU to regulate the temperature. The fan has a striped curve design to regulate the flow of air in all directions. These fans are even working in the idle or low load state.

Power and Overclocking

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 is designed with the ability to be overclocked when required. As already mentioned, Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 can be overclocked in some cases where it can actually acquire the specifications of GTX 980 in normal mode.

The GPU is designed to work at 145 Watts but on the account of overclocking, you may need to increase the power supply to about 170 watts as well. The card has 2 input options; 6 pin header input and 8 pins header input. So you can have six different phases of input as it entirely depends on what are you doing with this card.

Ports and Accessibility

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 has multiple options for display connectivity which include three full-size DisplayPorts, two Digital Visual Interface(DVI) ports, and a full-size HDMI 2.0 port too.

All these connectivities will make sure that you enjoy ultra-HD gaming display at the frame rate of 60Hz with high defined pixel display. You can also engage all of these connector ports to set up a multi-monitor gaming console to take the experience to next level!

Also, dual-link DVI ports enable you to enjoy ultra-HD surround graphics on as much as 3 monitors in an SLI configuration.

DSR – Dynamic Super Resolution

Having a 1080p monitor and enjoying 4k graphics display?
Sounds crazy, right?
Yes, it is possible as with Dynamic super-resolution (DSR) technology of Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 you can actually enjoy it. This particular feature renders the game graphics in a higher resolution and then converts them to a lower one. This is something that is mind-blowing!

VXGI (Voxel Global Illumination)

Only applicable for GPUs with Maxwell Architectural design and will produce detailed information about lighting details just as CG scenes n movies. It means while you are playing games at any rate between 40 and 60 FPS, you will enjoy the awesome light details of the scene including the wonderful flares. This technology is actually patented by NVIDIA Gameworks.

VXGI will add up awesome details to the amount of light in each object in a scene thus making each scene more detailed and your gaming experience more realistic.

Pros

Excellent pricing
Low power consumption
Excellent temperatures while working on heavy load
Greatly improved efficiency at 1080p
Overclocked features resembling GTX 980
HDMI 2.0 supported
4 GB efficient VRAM
New technology upgrades

Cons

No backplate to safeguard the card exterior
May cause noise when on high load

Why GTX 970 graphic card?

You might be wondering why we are so much stressing upon GTX 970 as the best graphics card but not the others.

Well, it is because our experts have tested, tested and compared GeForce GTX 970 with the popular graphics cards in the market.

And, guess what did they find?

GeForce GTX 970 is the graphics card highly recommended by sellers too.
Hardcore gamers are of the opinion that GeForce GTX 970 is by far the best graphics card technology that offers the most efficient 4k display.
Virtual reality specialists also agree that GTX 970 is the best graphics card for VR effects.

What makes it a great GTX 970?

GeForce GTX 970 is the best graphics card for gaming, virtual reality effects and 4k streaming alike because the following features make it so.

Overall Performance:
Yes, a card has to be overall good in performance and once it comes to GTX 970s, you will notice that they have some really good attributes that give you the best 4k gaming experience. GTX 970s are also known for their quieter operation and power saving features.
So once you have one from the given list of best GTX 970, you will be free from Fan noise and overheating of graphics once used for longer durations.
Cooling Systems:
Graphics cards nowadays have a sophisticated cooling system to reduce the amount of heat produced during operations. It’s quite normal for your graphics card to heat up but when you are considering best GTX 970, it’s certainly not recommended.
This is the sole reason why modern companies are laying stress on it. NVIDIA manufactured GTX 970s usually have an upper hand over other ordinary graphics cards when it comes to
Memory Types:
When you talk about memory types of GTX 970s, you usually mean the type of RAM used on the video card. It is a deciding factor in terms of which GTX 970 graphic card is the best for you. In modern graphics cards, you will find two types of RAM; DDR3 and GDDR5. While DDR3 is used in older versions of graphics cards and its usage has reduced to great extent, you can still find it in some very basic graphics cards.
On the other hand, GDDR5 is an upgraded and optimized version of DDR3 that is specially designed to suit the modern GTX 970’s memory requirements.
Clock Speed:
Clock speed is the measure of how fast your graphics card can access the data it is given and then process it for displaying graphics later on. It is stored in MHz and GTX 970 has the best clock speed among other graphics cards of the same kind. That is one of the many reasons why GTX 970 provides 4k flowing graphics without any interruptions or quality loss!
Pricing:
GTX 970s mostly fall in the same price category, however, there are some extra or fewer features in each of its different manufacturer’s products. What you need to do is to find the best GTX 970 as per your needs and then look for the right time to buy them.
Yes, I am talking about various deals and events such as Black Friday and daily deals!

Related Buyer’s guides and Reviews of the Products:

Comments

Danish Ayaz says
May 21, 2017 at 4:11 pm
Thanks for the great guide. I really appreciate that
Aleem Iqbal says
August 13, 2017 at 11:44 am
I was really looking for this Guide Thanks for sharing this awesome Guide with us.
Parkash says
February 8, 2018 at 5:48 pm
The best article. Thank you for this.
Chasity says
February 26, 2018 at 8:48 pm
Informative review
after reading review
I like think that i should give a try to GTX 970
Timmy says
February 28, 2018 at 8:17 pm
Just wanted to buy a GTX 970
You review is great
You have explained everything very well

Best GTX 970 2018 – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews

Best GTX 970

1. EVGA GeForce GTX 970 Hybrid – Best GTX 970

Overclocking

Cooling systems

Ports and Accessibility

EVGA GTX 970 at 1080p

EVGA GTX 970 at UltraHD or 4K Display

EVGA GTX 970 at multiple screens

2. MSI GeForce GTX 970

Cooling Systems

3. Asus STRIX-GTX970

Cooling Systems

Ports and Accessibility

Maxwell Architecture

4. Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970

Cooling Systems

Power and Overclocking

Ports and Accessibility

DSR – Dynamic Super Resolution

VXGI (Voxel Global Illumination)

Why GTX 970 graphic card?

What makes it a great GTX 970?

Overall Performance:

Cooling Systems:

Memory Types:

Clock Speed:

Pricing:

About John Corner

Comments