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MSI or STRIX 970?

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  • MSI
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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September 22, 2014 9:53:25 PM

Hey guys, I have ben saving for quite a few months to get a 970 on release, but I can't make up my mind, I though I was set on the Strix because of the colour scheme, backplate and metal shroud, but MSI also have a great 970. Any thoughts?

Pro's of Asus (as far as I can tell) - $499 AUD
-single 8 pin power connector (I have a modular PSU so the less cables I need to use the better)
-metal shroud & backplate makes it look a whole lot nicer than MSI's card
-Black colour scheme will match future builds
-Cheaper

Pro of MSI - $520 AUD
-Better overclocking
-thinner than 2 pci slots for better airflow in SLI
-LED on the msi logo (does the Asus have this?)
-plate on the memory chips and mosfets

Someone please help me make up my mind, I want to order it asap! Thanks in advance.

EDIT; reviews show that the MSI overclocks far better than the ASUS. So it's pretty much better looking card vs better performing card. Dilemmmaaaaaaaa

More about : msi strix 970

September 22, 2014 10:25:58 PM

Asus. I don't recommend MSI video cards at all these days, cause of the quality I heard of from them.
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September 22, 2014 10:26:32 PM

Hey mate :) 
I've been going through some reviews lately, and MSI's new cooler pretty much keep it uber cool and provide base for some great OCing capability, so say the reviws. They also say its really silent, which is surely a plus point for you!
Asus is good overall, but you'll get some better performance both out of the box and on OCing with MSI.
Also, have you considered the Gigantic GB G1 and have you considered that EVGA ACX 2.0 are releasing in sometime?
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September 22, 2014 10:38:19 PM

Thanks for the replies :) 
Yeah I'm after a silent card, which is why I've been looking at the MSI and ASUS cards. The Gigabyte is good, although it's fan don't turn off at low loads and the blue LED wouldn't match my build. The EVGA card looks nice but it's loud, so I've seen in reviews. I'm leaning towards the MSI, but ahhh the STRIX just looks perfect! I love the backplate, metal shroud & 8 pin connector. But it seems MSI have a better designed and better performing card. Hmmmm. I feel like whatever I get I'll feel like I made the wrong decision :p 

I keep saying to myself I'll get the MSI, then I remember how good the Strix looks and I'm back to square one, haha.
My cable management is pretty horrible so the single 8 pin connector is a pretty big deal for me, but the MSI is too good to not consider.. Hmmmm.
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September 22, 2014 10:46:34 PM

I'm thinking Strix, simply because I have such a clean setup and I think this http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2014/09/nvidi... would ruin it.

This http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2014/09/nvidi... looks SO much better. And I think I could live with losing a few frames in exchange for such a nice looking card. Hmmmm.

I swear this is the hardest decision I've ever made haha! I really want the MSI, if only the visible part of it wasn't so ugly. I know it's the better card, but ugh. Halp
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September 22, 2014 10:55:09 PM

Actually, both are great cards and you can't go wrong with either. Its a matter of 2-5 FPS in real world, we all know it. Looks matter to some, not much to some others. Asus is great brand too, you won't regret it, definately.

Actually it's a tad cheaper so you got a deal there as well. But yeah, performance (raw), MSI looks a bit better. Its really hard to even recommend one card lol.

Moreover, EVGA is not the best looking card I know, but I've read ACX 2.0 is going to be killer, silent+cool+powerful. You 'might' want to wait and watch a bit more.

Right now though, its Asus or GB for looks (I just love those 3 fans, vroom!, and a backplate too, too sad it doesn't meet your color scheme) and MSI/ GB for power. Asus is fairly good too.


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September 22, 2014 11:02:48 PM

Yeeah man, thanks for yur input. I'm stick stuck though D: I really want a backplate, I don't like seeing all the innards of the card. Although I'll probably get another for SLI, and the MSI cards would be better for that. I would be happy to pay an extra $20 for a backplate and metal shroud on the MSI card, god dayum! There are reviews out for the EVGA 970 already, and the cooler is actually a lot louder than the other 3 cards. Otherwise, I would totally go for it. :( 
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September 22, 2014 11:07:40 PM

Hmm, forget EVGA then, a backplate on MSI and you're ready to roll! Couldn't advise that as it was already costlier than Asus, but if you can go for it, then nothing like it :D 
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September 22, 2014 11:19:09 PM

Man I wish they sold a backplate separately. I have been sitting here all day trying to decide because I want to order it and have it by the end of the week but still I have no idea! I want the Asus because looks and 8 pin power, but MSI because of everything else. Although if I decide to SLI, the MSI cards would look better as the bridge wouldn't cover the logos. Hmm hmmm hmmm hmmmmmmmm.
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September 22, 2014 11:50:28 PM

I think I'm set on the MSI. Their cooling solution is just too good and the OC potential is great too. Doesn't look as good, but hey. It has a white LED on the logo which sorta makes up for it :p  and I need to remind myself that PCs are about performance, not looks.
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September 23, 2014 12:00:19 AM

That is a wise decision IMO, you'll enjoy every bit of it :) 
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September 23, 2014 12:01:15 AM

MeteorsRaining said:
That is a wise decision IMO, you'll enjoy every bit of it :) 


THanks for your help brother, I think I'll order it now.
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September 23, 2014 12:03:05 AM

Glad to help mate :) 
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September 23, 2014 12:56:58 AM

Aw man, now I'm already regretting my decision! Just gotta remind myself, better performance and cooling. Just watched Linus' video on the ASUS card tho and ehhhhhhhh. HAHahaah
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September 23, 2014 1:05:54 AM

I know it's hard but seldom is the best performer the best looking card :/ 
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September 23, 2014 1:38:05 AM

MeteorsRaining said:
I know it's hard but seldom is the best performer the best looking card :/ 


Yeah, I would have been unhappy no matter what I got :p 
Lower temps, better OC and the LED are worth it over the backplate & 8 pin power though, I think. :) 
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September 23, 2014 2:06:23 AM

Just like you I was forever trying to choose between these two cards. Except that I probably won't be SLI-ing this card in the future (although i might..).
But I think these are the best two non-reference 970's out there at the moment, because they score among the best in cooling and noise graphs, and also because of the amazing passive cooling feature. So you can't go wrong with either of these cards. I already made my decision, it almost went down to an eeny-meeny-miny-moe but in the end I just made a choice based on some pictures. (I assume you haven't ordered one yet so I won't tell you which one yet.)
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September 23, 2014 2:10:23 AM

okcnaline said:
Asus. I don't recommend MSI video cards at all these days, cause of the quality I heard of from them.

Then you probably shouldn't recommend anything to anyone. MSI are are truly top-notch brand, one of the very best, in both graphics cards and motherboards - especially these days.
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September 23, 2014 2:19:09 AM

both has no backplates rite?
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September 23, 2014 2:32:31 AM

The Asus has a backplate, and looks a LOT better, in my opinion.
I did order the MSI, though. The overclocing potential was just too good to turn down c;
maxtex, I assume you went for the Strix because it looks better? Let me know :) 
I already regret getting the MSI, but hey I would have been unhappy no matter what I got.
I just like MSI's new cooler, looks really good. Asus' is more of a rehash of the DirectCU2 cooler.
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September 23, 2014 2:46:42 AM

Alex, you truly made a performance oriented decision :) 
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September 23, 2014 3:06:12 AM

MeteorsRaining said:
Alex, you truly made a performance oriented decision :) 


True, although I can't help looking at pics of the Strix and wishing I'd got that instead D:
Once I arrives, I should be happy though.
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September 23, 2014 5:15:04 AM

Yep i did get the Strix, its design just looked so rigid to me, but i'm not certain if I made the right choice either haha. Well, at least both the companies will get our money now, so neither of them will have to cry. :p 
I think both the MSI the Asus look decent, but not too pretty really. I actually thought the previous TwinFrozr design (from the 700 series) looked better than this one, and I don't really like all this owl-fetish that Asus seems to have right now.. But for gaming they're gonna be super sweet I think.
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September 23, 2014 5:19:38 AM

maxtex said:
Yep i did get the Strix, its design just looked so rigid to me, but i'm not certain if I made the right choice either haha. Well, at least both the companies will get our money now, so neither of them will have to cry. :p 
I think both the MSI the Asus look decent, but not too pretty really. I actually thought the previous TwinFrozr design (from the 700 series) looked better than this one, and I don't really like all this owl-fetish that Asus seems to have right now.. But for gaming they're gonna be super sweet I think.


Aw yeah :)  well report back and let me know how you like your Strix! I'll do the same with my MSI TF5. :) 
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September 23, 2014 6:01:33 AM

Yeah I'll do that in this thread. It'll probably take a while though, my guess is it'll arrive at the end of this week, because none of the stores here (Holland) had the card in stock.
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September 23, 2014 6:03:04 AM

Ah yeah, I'm hoping mine will arrive by friday.
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September 27, 2014 1:29:49 PM

Think I may be exchanging it for the Strix haahah. I'm a total sucker for the design I can't help myself. :p 
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September 27, 2014 3:38:36 PM

Pshh make up your mind lol :p 
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September 27, 2014 9:06:58 PM

C'mon consider the points we picked out for the MSI, but ultimately its your own choice.
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September 27, 2014 9:08:56 PM

just buy all
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September 27, 2014 9:32:13 PM

It might be too expensive to send it back anyway, I'll probably just stick with MSI in the end but wow the Strix just looks so amazing ugh.
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September 27, 2014 9:42:02 PM

I'd love if you stick with MSI :D 
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September 27, 2014 9:44:19 PM

I was having a good look at my case yesterday, and decided the ASUS would look real nice in there. I know it's not all about looks, but I really admire how my setup looks. Buuut I know the MSI performs better. I just wish it wasn't so ugly :S
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September 27, 2014 9:47:04 PM

I just wish I had style sense as you but I unfortunately don't :'( 
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September 27, 2014 9:47:22 PM

okcnaline said:
Asus. I don't recommend MSI video cards at all these days, cause of the quality I heard of from them.


Don't know what your reading but that is not true. The MSI card runs cooler and quieter at a higher overclocked rate then the Asus at the same temperature, if you can't accept that check out Guru 3D's review on the GTX 970/980 based cards. The Gigabyte performs roughly the same as the MSI but with colour scheme a main factor, get the MSI. MSI have been stepping up their game on their cards lately and are offering great cards now, I'm just waiting for Lightning versions to hit the market.
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September 28, 2014 3:23:41 AM

Personally I don't think MSI is ugly, although in that MSi teaser, the one they teased before the 970 came out, it looked a bit better than the eventual product. But still, I quite like that it's a slim design, and if you would have a red or orange/yellow theme in your case I think it would look really good (blue too).
But let us know what ya think of it when it arrives tomorrow, ill do the same with the asus.
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September 28, 2014 3:45:49 AM

Will do :)  I have 2 weeks to test it out and I can send it in for the ASUS if I wish. This is stressing me out so much though ha, I'm currently unemployed and this was the last of my money oops. So I need to be sure that I'll love it :) 
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September 28, 2014 4:21:10 AM

I understand, you know both cards are great, get what your heart says, or replace if your heart says x)
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September 28, 2014 4:28:53 AM

Heehe yeah my gut says ASUS, my head says MSI. I'll test out the MSI, see what OC I can get out of it, if it's a bad overclocker or looks bad in my case I'll go ahead and exchange it. :) 
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September 28, 2014 4:46:35 AM

Sure, I'm sure you won't regret getting MSI though, but check it out and we shall know for sure if the reviews are 100% correct :) 
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September 28, 2014 5:53:18 AM

The EVGA could still be in play for you if you just download Precision and adjust the fan curve. Noise gone and just as cool. As an aside, EVGA has a bios revision launching that will fix the noise issue that some have. The Asus is a nice card, clashes with my system but nice none the less. Only downside I saw in benchmarks is its ability to OC like the other brands. This is mostly due to a single 8 pin. Honestly though, any card would suffice with the EVGA and Gigabytes seeming to be the highest clocking cards right now. Correct me if I am wrong on that statement though, new benchmarks and OC numbers come out daily. What I read yesterday might be ancient history this morning.
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September 28, 2014 6:17:56 AM

Well everyone uses different benchmark systems, in different environments, but still there aren't much anomalies between them. Also, everyone is saying the Asus doesn't have much OC potential, but the reviews actually show otherwise, it has pretty good OC results.
In case of EVGA however, the tests generally do show they run quite a bit noisier, and also slightly hotter under load. You probably won't notice that at all if you have a well-ventilated case with noise-dampening, but if you have a case with no noise dampening and maybe not the best airflow then the EVGA is probably not a good option, and fan adjusting won't help then. Face it, at the moment EVGA isn't a top tier manufacturer of video cards; they're still good, just not AS good as some others (I'm thinking gigabyte, msi, asus).

I do love the EVGA precision X tool, definitely prefer it over the Afterburner.
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September 28, 2014 6:57:35 AM

EVGA wouldn't match my case anyway, and I don't want a card that's hotter and noisier than my current one. EVGA are great, I love my PSU. I just wish they would recall all of their 900 series cards and redesign them :p 
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September 28, 2014 7:12:32 AM

What's your current card if i may ask? :) 
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September 28, 2014 7:15:32 AM

Gigabyte GTX 760 :) 
I had an MSI 290 but the fans weren't loud, but sounded really whiny and annoying if that makes any sense. So I sold it off to someone who didn't mind, saved up a bit more and that's how I could afford to get a 970 :) 
Hope MSI doesn't let me down again. If they do, I'll get the Strix :) 
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September 28, 2014 7:43:39 AM

not bad, better than the 750ti i had (before that a 650 lol, non-ti), i can't afford too much either at the moment but i was like fuck it im getting a 970 xD
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September 28, 2014 8:20:12 AM

That's the way ;)  I'm keen for tomorrow.
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September 28, 2014 12:44:41 PM

I am personally going with SLI EVGA 970 FTW editions. Anandtech review it and with the new bios which bring 0db into play and fixes most of the issues. EVGA also commented that there is nothing wrong with the cooler design and many have gone on to confirm this. I wouldn't discount them.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8568/the-geforce-gtx-970-...
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October 2, 2014 2:44:14 PM

MSI- better cooler and 6pin + 8pin for max oc potential. All at the $349.99 price point

I have 2 MSI gtx970 G4's in SLI and have them OC'd to 1496mhz Core and 8002mhz Memory on stock voltage/fan control. Been playing Shadows of Mordoor @ 1440p ultra for 10 hours over the last 2 nights. The OC alone makes the game run better than the stock OC. (54fps average to a solid 60fps w/ vsync on)
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