Any ideas about this NVIDIA branded GTX 970 reference card? EDIT: Now for sale at BB.

[JM Popaleetus]

I was able to add the part to my cart when I first made this post here (and on Reddit). So that's the source of my confusion in regard to Toyota's posts. It appears Newegg fixed whatever happened to me, as I too now get that error.

I apologize to Toyota and the forum if it seemed like I was trolling and/or goading. I was legitimately just asking if anyone knew anything about this part...and since I was able to add it to my cart, Toyota's answers made no sense.

Obviously now, I realize that this is indeed just a system-builder only part, and not like the ones at Best Buy. So that answers my initial question.

And I apologize again.

 

[JM Popaleetus]

Nevertheless, I'm still extremely curious about this part.

Almost want to buy the combo...for science. Use my Newegg Premier's return protection.

 

[f1sherman]

Stop apologizing. If it wasn't for Keysplayer

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=36873895&postcount=13

I'd still be wtf-ing about his "not for individual sale" on this nice ref. 970

 

[JM Popaleetus]

Well, as I predicted, the "NVIDIA Brand" reference design is now for sale at Best Buy:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1525046/best-buy-sells-the-reference-970

UPC is 850438005716
Part number is 900-1G401-2510-000
Best Buy SKU is 9855169

 

[Ryanrenesis]

Apprently doesn't use a vapor chamber, but heatpipes instead

 

[96Firebird]

People at the EVGA forums are saying it was $379.99... For $300, that is a good deal. Wonder if that is USD?

 

[SteveGrabowski]

Apprently doesn't use a vapor chamber, but heatpipes instead

Is that the same cooler as on the reference 980? No idea why people rave over that one if it's not a real Titan cooler.

 

[f1sherman]

Well, as I predicted, the "NVIDIA Brand" reference design is now for sale at Best Buy:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1525046/best-buy-sells-the-reference-970

I predicted this, and earlier than you :thumbsup:

I'll buy reference over custom overclocked no problemo. Even without SLI

 

[Rvenger]

Got one in my car. Only had one in stock.

 

[SteveGrabowski]

Got one in my car. Only had one in stock.

Was it $380?

 

[Termie]

Got one in my car. Only had one in stock.

Now that's what I call proof!

Rvenger, please share more details when you have them! The Best Buy website doesn't list these, so how did you know it might be available? Did you call ahead or just go in blind?

 

[Rvenger]

Yes, but I had some best buy points to use though so it was all good. Same reference PCB and cooler as 980 and with the nice backplate too.

 

[toyota]

so they finally made it. 380 bucks would not be all that bad but with sales tax here that puts it at 414 bucks.

 

[Rvenger]

so they finally made it. 380 bucks would not be all that bad but with sales tax here that puts it at 414 bucks.

Sales tax was a bummer but I had $40 in chase points and $20 in best buy rewards. Honestly our Bestbuy here is awesome because they actually have some decent hardware and I can always quote competitors prices and they match without even worrying about shipping charges. I am glad to pay the 7% sales tax to support the brick and mortar stores. I couldn't match this because this is a best buy exclusive.


One thing to note, since Nvidia doesn't really have warranty support, this card has a 1 year warranty supported by Best Buy. This could be a deal breaker for many but the good news is you can just go back to Best Buy and get a refund/replace for 1 year.

 

[Rvenger]

So far this cooler is really good for the 970. On the standard fan curve so far it doesn't even throttle! 76c max temps so far and boost is 1265mhz. That's higher than my reference Gigabyte 980. This is a very nice card and I am glad I picked it up so far.


No burning smells like my old one either.

Now that's what I call proof!

Rvenger, please share more details when you have them! The Best Buy website doesn't list these, so how did you know it might be available? Did you call ahead or just go in blind?

I went in blind and asked for the sku on the first page. He asked me where I found it and I said OCN.

 

[f1sherman]

One thing to note, since Nvidia doesn't really have warranty support, this card has a 1 year warranty supported by Best Buy.

Are you sure of that?

http://www.nvidia.com/object/manufacturer_warranty.html

 

[Rvenger]

Are you sure of that?

http://www.nvidia.com/object/manufacturer_warranty.html

Well then if that's the case then the sales rep was misinformed. I rather have the 3 year warranty. Good find F1sherman!

 

[SolMiester]

Yes, but I had some best buy points to use though so it was all good. Same reference PCB and cooler as 980 and with the nice backplate too.

Are you saying this was an individual sale?....In the USA?...LOL..Comedy gold!

 

[Termie]

So far this cooler is really good for the 970. On the standard fan curve so far it doesn't even throttle! 76c max temps so far and boost is 1265mhz. That's higher than my reference Gigabyte 980. This is a very nice card and I am glad I picked it up so far.


No burning smells like my old one either.



I went in blind and asked for the sku on the first page. He asked me where I found it and I said OCN.

I'll have to look for this next time I'm at BB. I'm interested in the reference design for my ITX system due to the external exhaust.

You mentioned burning smells - I noticed that with my MSI 780 Ti Gaming. Any thoughts on what the cause could be? I've looked for leaking oil but haven't found any. It's strong enough, though, that it actually bothers my eyes/nose when the fans kick up during gaming. Very strange. Performance is totally fine.

 

[Rvenger]

No, it was my reference GTX 980. Turned out to be a bad card. Then I replaced it with a Gigabyte Windforce 290 out of rage since my Zotac 980 never shipped from newegg. The Windforce was a bad egg as well. I have the worst luck when it comes to cards but I just think I need to stay away from Gigabyte and I will be ok. I have some more pictures to upload if you guys want me to. Termie, I believe you know me enough that I take good care of my hardware.

 

[Termie]

No, it was my reference GTX 980. Turned out to be a bad card. Then I replaced it with a Gigabyte Windforce 290 out of rage since my Zotac 980 never shipped from newegg. The Windforce was a bad egg as well. I have the worst luck when it comes to cards but I just think I need to stay away from Gigabyte and I will be ok. I have some more pictures to upload if you guys want me to. Termie, I believe you know me enough that I take good care of my hardware.

Wow, that is a run of bad luck. Nice thing about buying local is that it will be easy to return if you have to, but hopefully this one's a keeper!

I bought some AV gear at BB this year and actually felt good about supporting a local store...even if it is the local store that put all other local stores out of business! The guys and gals there work hard (at least at my BB) and deserve to have customers actually buy stuff rather than just window shop.

 

[KaRLiToS]

Sucks that they don't have the vapor chamber!

 

[toyota]

Sucks that they don't have the vapor chamber!

well that have to save that for the real high end cards when they come out.

 

[KaRLiToS]

well that have to save that for the real high end cards when they come out.

Yeah, true. If GM200 has it, it's a big win. (GM200 could be very tempting, but....depends on the price of it.)

 

[Rvenger]

This heatsink cools the reference 970 much better than the 980