New GTX 970 for OC and watercooling, should I send it back?

Thunder_M1 · Sep 28, 2014

I've recently invested in the killer new GTX 970 with a view to overclock and watercool it. With this in mind I bought the cheapest one because to me the cooling didn't particularly matter. I bought the base model Palit GTX 970. I know that the reference card is the same with the other models but I noticed that the Palit and other cheaper models don't have 2 x 8-pin connectors they just have 2 x 6-pin. From what I've read here http://www.overclock.net/a/gpu-and-cpu-power-connections this can make a big difference.

So in short will the card I've got (6-pin) OC as well as a more expensive (8-pin) card? It's not opened so there's no problems sending it back but the higher end cards seem to be out of stock most places atm.

endeavour37a · Sep 28, 2014

The 970 is only 145W, 2@ 6-pin power should be just fine. If I were going to WC my new card I would get an EVGA because of warranty issues, they do not care of you remove the air and WC it.

Thunder_M1 · Sep 29, 2014

Thanks for your answer, that's a good point about the EVGA, may return for that reason alone. My main concern is that overclocking could up that wattage to over the 235W max for 2 x 6pins. Is that likely to happen in anyone's experience?

unknownofprob · Sep 29, 2014

The GTX 970's are a very cool running card, even when overclocked. I don't personally see a need to watercool already cool operating cards.

Thunder_M1 · Sep 29, 2014

Thanks for your reply, watercooling is an aesthetic choice, I know it's not necessary for the card. Think I've got to the bottom of this. The article here states that their OC GTX 970 got to 243 watts under torture tests. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nvidia-geforce-gtx-980-970-maxwell,3941-13.html

That's enough to tell me that a 2 x 6-pin GTX 970 (capped at 235W) may not be the best choice for overclocking. Unless I'm missing something?

unknownofprob · Sep 29, 2014

The 8 Pin + 6 pin models you'll find are the better overclocking cards. I am assuming your looking at the Asus Strix model?

RobCrezz · Sep 29, 2014

2x 6pin is more than enough, plus they can draw more than the rated power down the connectors. The 75w per 6pin isnt a hard limit. Just look at the 295x2 with its 2x 8pin - draws more than the pci-e power specs allow.

Thunder_M1 · Sep 29, 2014

Thanks for this, this is what I was looking to find out. So (and I know it's my risk in the end) would 2 x 6-pins do for an OC'd GTX 970? In your opinion.

unknownofprob · Sep 29, 2014

Yes, that is easily enough power for that card to have for even high overclocks.

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