NVIDIA Computer Graphics and Video Cards
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 computer graphics and video cards represent the mid-range option in NVIDIAs GTX 9 series. Benchmarked between the flagship GTX 980 and the low-end GTX 960, these models aim to provide the best price-performance ratio. Apart from the original model provided by NVIDIA, there are GTX 970 models produced by NVIDIAs partners, such as Gigabyte, ASUS, EVGA and MSI. There are slight variations between each partner’s version, so make sure you know how each performs and pick the one that best suits your needs.
Memory and Clock SpeedAll versions of GTX 970 come with 4 GB GDDR5 memory, but bear in mind that 0.5 GB are reserved for less demanding workloads. This means that those purchasing the GTX 970 as a gaming graphic card actually receive 3.5 GB excess at their disposal. The real difference between the cards themselves is within their stock clock speeds. In this respect, EVGA model is the front-runner. Even without overclocking, the EVGA GTX 970 will provide one or two frames per second more than the models provided by other partners. However, the ASUS GTX 970 version is an excellent option if you plan to use the graphics card without tuning, whereas EVGA traditionally offers the most tuning options. A finely tuned model can even come close to the performance of GeForce GTX 980 video cards.
Size and Noise FactorsBoth size and noise are important aspects to consider, as there are variations due to components and cooling options. Those who appreciate a silent PC should pick the MSI or ASUS version of the GTX 970. The EVGA is more compact in size, so it is a better option for limited space availability, but it is considerably noisier. While the noise of the cooler itself is negligible in a closed case, this cards electronic circuitry produces a buzzing noise during intense use. Still, if the case containing the card is not placed on the computer desk itself, the noise is relatively tolerable.