Cosidering the EVGA Classified GTX 770....

[Carfax83]

Yet, despite this, comparing a 680 lightning at those same clocks 1406mhz / 7ghz VRAM the 780 is substantially faster (I upgraded to the 780, obviously) and it is immediately noticeable when doing any type of game or benchmark in a single card configuration. The GTX 780 smashes it.

I'm going by actual benchmarks that show the GTX 780 to be about 16% faster than the GTX 770 at stock on average, such as the Anandtech benches which I've shown in this thread.

You can gain about 10% performance by overclocking the GTX 770 to about 1250, and another 4% or 5% by going to 1320, which should put it practically at parity with the GTX 780 in the majority of benches, unless you're VRAM or bandwidth limited.

As to the veracity of these benchmarks, I have no personal input as I don't have a GTX 780.

Oh, you say, but I can overclock a 770 to be near a 780. Yeah, then you can overclock the 780 too and then what happens? You're back to where you started. The 780 is still substantially faster. I think these comparisons are worthless - nearly every card can overclock to be close to the worst higher SKU, eg a 770 can overclock to near the level of the worst garbage reference 780. But I assure you, there is absolutely no way a 770, even overclocked, will touch an aftermarket 780 with a similar overclock. I really do hate these type of comparisons "but I can overclock my card to be as fast as X" ? So what? You can overclock the OTHER card too and then you're back right to where you started.

I agree with you, if we're strictly talking about raw performance. But, when you factor in price, then the overclocked GTX 770 is a great alternative because by all reports, they can approach a stock GTX 780 which is already blisteringly fast but costs anywhere from 44% to 62% more..

That's the appeal of overclocking. Getting more performance out of your investment.

 

[blackened23]

Well, I capitulate I suppose. You do have a good point in that the price increase for the corresponding performance increase with the 780 definitely makes it less compelling than the 770, for sure.

Anyway, back to the OP's question. I feel like the classified 770 is the ultimate rip-off, that would be the last card i'd consider - nearly all of the aftermarket 770s are fantastic cards, but the best 4GB option would be the gigabyte card. If sticking with 2GB, you won't be disappointed by any of the other options. MSI twin frozr, Asus DC2, Windforce, etc. I just can't find any value in the classified, however.

 

[looper]

I would consider the Asus VG248QE over the BenQ if you want to try Lightboost. That's what I bought and I've been very happy with the monitor.

I've been at multiple tech sites, and it seems the BenQ is preferred by more folks. But I certainly could be wrong. Both do LightBoost I believe.

 

[looper]

I feel like the classified 770 is the ultimate rip-off, that would be the last card i'd consider - nearly all of the aftermarket 770s are fantastic cards, but the best 4GB option would be the gigabyte card. If sticking with 2GB, you won't be disappointed by any of the other options. MSI twin frozr, Asus DC2, Windforce, etc. I just can't find any value in the classified, however.

I meant the 2GB version of the GTX 770.

Based on your comments about EVGA, it seems you don't believe their cards are higher quality, and that all is market-spin?

 

[blackened23]

I meant the 2GB version of the GTX 770.

Based on your comments about EVGA, it seems you don't believe their cards are higher quality, and that all is market-spin?

No - I didn't say anything bad about EVGA as a whole, I have nothing against EVGA. I'm only speaking about one card - i'm speaking specifically of the rear-exhaust classified which I have used. I used the 680 classified for a month (the 770 classy is the same card with a new BIOS and better VRAM) and I was not impressed. I don't have anything against EVGA and I'm actually using an EVGA card at the present time - i'm using the EVGA SC ACX 780. Oddly enough, the SC ACX GTX 780 was only 10$ more than the reference cooled 780, so the decision was a no brainer. It is definitely a better card than the reference 780. But, back to the classified:

The classified is a ripoff, period. If it were 430$-450$ it could be a decent offering but for 510$? It is not higher quality compared to other aftermarket 770s and certainly is not worth the premium. Strangely enough, when I used the 680 classified it actually overclocked worse than many reference cards. I can't remember the exact clock speeds but it would choke at something like 1250mhz. For a card that cost 659$ at the time, I was less than impressed.

That being said, it's your money - you can do whatever you want with your money and that's cool, but it (770 classified) sure as heck would NOT be my choice. Also, i'm not aware of a 2GB classified. If you insist on an EVGA card you may want to look at the ACX GTX 770 (non classified). IIRC it costs something like 410$ and would be a pretty decent value. There are a *ton* of great 770 offerings at the 400-410$ price level, including the EVGA ACX, MSI twin frozr, gigabyte WF3, and Asus DC2. They're all great cards with a great price. I can't say the same for the classified, which is way too expensive for what it offers - and on top of this, it is noisier and warmer than all of the aforementioned aftermarket cards.

 

[Carfax83]

I meant the 2GB version of the GTX 770.

Based on your comments about EVGA, it seems you don't believe their cards are higher quality, and that all is market-spin?

I agree with blackened23. It's not that EVGA cards aren't high quality, it's that the price isn't justifiable being that other manufacturers offer similar quality at lower prices.

The Gigabyte and MSI models are of comparable quality, but are about 50 or 60 dollars cheaper.

I know that EVGA offers a limited lifetime warranty, but who's going to be holding onto their cards for that long? Most people upgrade on a 2 year cycle, 3 being the longest.

 

[blackened23]

You have a good point about GPUs - I don't think i've ever held on to a GPU more than 2 years. Making any type of extended warranty questionable....but I actually don't think EVGA offers that (lifetime warranty) anymore. I'll double check but I think that stopped with the 500 series? - I know with the 680s and my current 780 that it is a 3 year warranty, with an option to purchase an extended warranty above that for a fee.

That being said, I have nothing but good things to say about EVGA customer service. Then again, I can count on a single hand the times i've had to use any type of customer service or RMA for a GPU in the past 10 years (once)....So if that matters, I could see that shifting the favor towards an EVGA card. But - I would highly recommend something other than the overpriced classified. I feel like it's the worst price/perf 770 out there by far, EVGA's ACX 770 cards are a much better choice if you want EVGA.

 

[bryanW1995]

RS, at least try reading your own graph correctly before you try to "convince" this guy to buy AMD..

The GTX 780 is not 40% faster than the GTX 770 according to the graph, it's 21%. And this is at 2560x1600 with MSAA 4x, which is way above what he'll be playing at.

The GTX 780 is on average 16% faster than the GTX 770, provided you don't use expensive forms of AA at already very high resolutions.

To the OP, if you're only going to hang on to the card for a year, I would get a cheaper GTX 770, like the Gigabyte version which costs 50 dollars less and is clocked almost as high as the Classified.

Although if you only game at 1080p, not sure you really need 4GB of VRAM.

I find it humorous that R'S is being accused of a red slant. Last year, he was openly mocked by amd fans as an NV tool. The common denominator? Both times he spent a lot of time talking about the higher end cards that provide the best value. Last year that was NV, now it is AMD. Quit attacking the messenger, and go tell JHH to drop his prices.

 

[SolMiester]

GTX770 is already one of the most overpriced cards out

"Overall, the GeForce GTX 770 is an average 3% faster than the Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition across all the tests."

And yet where they are mostly the same price you recommend the AMD card?

I laughed.......I really couldnt be bothered reading any more of your CnP sales pitches....I really think AMD owes you big time buddy!

Anyway, as you all were, its amusing!

 

[SirPauly]

Last year that was NV, now it is AMD.

AMD offered more price performance last round, specifically with the 5850 and 6950, imho -- heck, AMD has been very strong with price/performance over-all since the 3870 and 3850 -- where RS is very consistent is with deals, price/performance coupled with nice OC potential and scaling to me, imho!

 

[blackened23]

I find it humorous that R'S is being accused of a red slant. Last year, he was openly mocked by amd fans as an NV tool. The common denominator? Both times he spent a lot of time talking about the higher end cards that provide the best value. Last year that was NV, now it is AMD. Quit attacking the messenger, and go tell JHH to drop his prices.

Indeed, I remember this - prior to last year he always spoke heavily in favor of NV cards. Several months after the release of the 680, AMD reduced their prices in which he changed his opinion -- as the 7970 with price drops (420$? I think then) clearly represented a better value. It's a closer call now, and I won't get into all that, but I think the critical thing to remember here is that opinions are always subject to change. Both AMD and nvidia could do something really impressive that sways opinions and buyers, as AMD has done in the past. And nvidia as well. Anyone with a completely static and never-changing opinion is probably as stubborn as a mule.

Right now, I think the critical thing is that AMD hurry up and get their next gen parts released. And the frame pacing driver, it's been way too long. AMD has improved developer relations (let's not get into an overblown debate about this) and they've made some headway on their drivers. The last thing i'd like to see is the crossfire issue put to rest, and then hopefully AMD will have both value and performance based contender with the 9000 series which gives the 780 a true run for the money. Competition is always a great thing regardless of which brand one prefers.

 

[SirPauly]

The added premiums for the OC edition GTX 770's may actually lower price performance over-all.

In this example the premium equates to 6 percent less price/performance than a reference GTX 770 at 1080p:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_770_Lightning/28.html

However for this OC Edtion GTX 780 -- the premium equates to 9 percent more price/performance than a reference GTX 780 at 1080p:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/EVGA/GTX_780_SC_ACX_Cooler/28.html

 

[tweakboy]

Get it but keep it at 30 percent fan auto... cuz when it revs up its fast and noisy. gl

 

[cmdrdredd]

At 1080p you aren't vram starved so you won't necessarily need 4GB of memory. Now that I've said that, the Asus DC2 and Gigabite GTX 770 cards are $100 less than the classified and both IMO have better cooling and a more robust PCB design. The Zotac card is $399. If you're looking for a card that can be overclocked well, the Gigabyte Windforce 3 770 is $449 and the MSI Lightning 770 is $459.

I personally don't see a reason to choose EVGA in this case. If you must have the cooler to push air out the back, go with the standard EVGA with the ACX cooler, the zotac, the galaxy (also $399). Save the cash.

Alternatively you can get a Sapphire 7970 for under $400 right now. Not a bard card there. Put the extra $100 or so toward your new build fund.

 

[SirPauly]

Indeed!

If the GTX 770 classified are over-priced there are many GTX 770's for 399.

 

[Elfear]

I've been at multiple tech sites, and it seems the BenQ is preferred by more folks. But I certainly could be wrong. Both do LightBoost I believe.

I think the BenQ is more preferred but the difference isn't that great. IIRC the BenQ had slightly better color reproduction after calibration. The deciding factor for me was $250 vs $360. I wasn't sure if I wanted to jump into a smaller monitor for Lightboost so I went with the less expensive option to test it out. I'm very impressed with it.

 

[looper]

Ok already...lol.

I see the point being made. I will look at others rather than the 'Classified'. I appreciate the input.

I'm not just getting that card to use for a year. The new 770 will be the card in that new rig I'll build in the Winter of 2014.

 

[looper]

I think the BenQ is more preferred but the difference isn't that great. IIRC the BenQ had slightly better color reproduction after calibration. The deciding factor for me was $250 vs $360. I wasn't sure if I wanted to jump into a smaller monitor for Lightboost so I went with the less expensive option to test it out. I'm very impressed with it.

Thanks, Elfear. I'll consider it.

 

[looper]

Wow, you guys are dropping bombs on each other! BOOM......

I'm the OP, and I'm the BOSS...

I typically have bought, since 1993, a video card @ 2-3 steps below the top end. I think the 770 sits in that vicinity. And I like the idea of the card blowing air out the back ( do you feel that's significant? )... so that leaves me with the EVGA/acx, the Zotac, and the Galaxy... hmm... any one of those stand out?

 

[amenx]

The MSI Lightning imo is the best 770 you can get.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_770_Lightning/

 

[cmdrdredd]

Exhausting the hot air out the back is a non-issue for anyone with good airflow in their case. For a small case with very few fans, like an MATX setup or a HTPC it may be more beneficial to have all the hot air blow right out the back of the card. How comfortable with the airflow inside your case are you? If you feel better blowing the air out then by all means look for a card that does that. If it doesn't make a difference then I'd go with the Gigabyte Windforce 3 or MSI Lightning.

 

[wand3r3r]

And yet where they are mostly the same price you recommend the AMD card?

I laughed.......I really couldnt be bothered reading any more of your CnP sales pitches....I really think AMD owes you big time buddy!

Anyway, as you all were, its amusing!

You have some data that shows otherwise or are is it just wishful thinking?

If you've followed prices lately the 7970 and 1GHz (vanilla) as well as they GHz edition have been going for $300-350 with a slew of games. That's a considerably better value than the 770 @400 much less the 4 gb models going from $450+ or the abysmally priced classified.

@Op, I'd consider the 760 or 7950 if $250. They are considerably better values and the occasional 7970 deal is worth a look too. I agree with RS that the 770 is overpriced (as are 7970GHz over ~375).

 

[cmdrdredd]

Who said anything about value? Did you read the thread? This is a card to tide over until a rebuild which will go into the new build when it's complete. Not asking about $250 cards.

 

[wand3r3r]

Who said anything about value? Did you read the thread? This is a card to tide over until a rebuild which will go into the new build when it's complete. Not asking about $250 cards.

Why did he get talked out of the $500+ classified if its not about its poor value?

He never said he doesn't care about value at least in the first page? I'm not sure why he wouldn't care about value. If he'd already made up his mind there'd be no discussion, and if value was truly not an issue he'd probably simply go with the fastest.


E: Even if he's looking to spend more the 7970 deals are a good alternative and worth looking at too.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Why did he get talked out of the $500+ classified if its not about its poor value?

He never said he doesn't care about value at least in the first page? I'm not sure why he wouldn't care about value. If he'd already made up his mind there'd be no discussion, and if value was truly not an issue he'd probably simply go with the fastest.

If someone is asking about a card in the $500 price range why would you even try suggesting a GTX 760...?

Plus I already mentioned a 7970 in a previous post as a possible alternative.