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

[SteveGrabowski]

Sucks that they don't have the vapor chamber!

Yeah, for a $50 sticker price higher than the Zotac and EVGA 970s that should be a ridiculous cooler. The cooler looks nice and all, but that $50 could go towards getting a case with good airflow (NZXT Source 210 is $40), or even something really nice like a HAF 922 if you factor in the tax you're paying to get this from Best Buy.

 

[shovelgut]

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

BB Employee here!

The reference card comes with an in-store 1 year warranty, meaning if within a year you decide "eh I want another card" you come into the store and get your money back without question. The card itself does have a 3 yr with Nvidia.

 

[Rvenger]

Thanks for the clarification and welcome to Anandtech Forums!

 

[shovelgut]

Thank you very much. I'm the guy who sold you the card BTW haha.

 

[Rvenger]

Oh I knew that without a doubt. I just didn't want to call you out.

 

[shovelgut]

Haha. Well I appreciate it lol.

 

[Rvenger]

PCB shots of the BestBuy Nvidia GTX 970.

 

[tg2708]

The best buy closest to me has one. Is it a good buy or should I stick with my 770. I'm debating though should I go for a monitor, aoc q2770qpu or a graphics card upgrade?

 

[mcbaes72]

The best buy closest to me has one. Is it a good buy or should I stick with my 770. I'm debating though should I go for a monitor, aoc q2770qpu or a graphics card upgrade?

It depends, probably best to get a new monitor first. Then, see how many FPS, if 60+ you're good. If not, may require a 2nd GPU to SLI if game is graphic-intensive. The Nvidia 970 seems ideal to run multiple cards, exhausts heat outside case. If I had to choose, sell 770 and buy 970. May be a side-grade, but should be lower power and quiet fan.

For example, I have 780 SC, gets 120 FPS on 1080 playing Skyrim on Ultra settings. Yet when I play Dragon Age Inquisition on Ultra, I average in mid 40s FPS, not good. So, I'm getting two for SLI, hoping it gives me 100+ on Ultra or High settings.

EDIT: I meant to say I'm getting two 970s, already ordered, undecided if selling 780 or keep as back up.

 

[tg2708]

Yea i have a 120hz 1080p monitor that I never gets close to in games with details maxed, even though I don't care too much. But judging by the performance of the 770 in recent games I hate the fps it's putting out.

 

[Headfoot]

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

lol, surely it cant be

 

[Leyawiin]

Hey Rvenger, any noticeable coil whine on that one?

 

[Rvenger]

Nope, no coil whine on either 970s.

 

[toyota]

Nope, no coil whine on either 970s.

Yeah basically zero audible whine here either on the reference 980. if I stick my head right up the card I can hear tiny faint whine under heavy load but once I move my head away just a few inches I hear nothing like coil whine. I really like this reference card.

 

[Madpacket]

I'm tempted to sell my coil whiney Asus 970 Strixx and pick up one of these reference style cards. The missing vapo chamber doesn't really bother me considering the amount of energy these cards produce. I don't trust the Asus RMA service and I'm outside my window to return the card to the vendor.

 

[Kenmitch]

Well I hope I don't regret it but I just ordered one of these for in store pickup at my local BestBuy. Just can't hang with the integrated video anymore.

Used a 10% off coupon code and $10 in rewards certs to offset the somewhat high price tag at BestBuy

BestBuy keeps sending me coupon codes for 10% off a single item from my recent move....I've used 3 of them so far!