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GTX 970 differences between cards of same brand

Tags:
  • Gtx
  • Gaming
  • MSI
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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October 17, 2014 2:01:50 PM

Hello !

I will buy a GTX 970 next month and i have some questions. I found alot of comparison test between cards of different brand, but absolutely no test comparing cards from the same brand.

Like MSI, they have the Gaming4G and the 4GD5T OC. I've never seen that 4GD5T OC (who picked a confusing name like that?!) in any test. On MSI website, it seems that the only difference is more frequency for the Gaming4G.

Same for EVGA (acx2.0). ACX2.0, Superclocked ACX2.0, SSC ACX2.0, FTX ACX2.0.

So, is the differences between those cards of the same brand is only a couple more FPS in games and absolutely nothing more ? Is it worth paying 10-50$ more ?

If anyone have a test comparing same brand cards, i would be grateful.

Thanks !

More about : gtx 970 differences cards brand

October 17, 2014 2:06:15 PM

The difference is clock speed. The more exspensive cards are overclocked from the factory. They will boost a couple of frames. There is no guarantee when overclocking on your own, but its cheaper and usually more effective. Oh, and sometimes you get a better cooler, which can be worth a few extra bucks.
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Best solution

October 17, 2014 2:24:59 PM

GPU's of the same type (say a 970) have two main things that are changed (regardless of the brand).

1) Frequencies - there is "stock" speeds for various components (core clock, max core boost, and memory) each card as set by AMD/nVidia. Different manufacturers will sort through the GPU's they get and will pull out the ones that can be clock higher - and they sell them as overclocked models. Some will only have a stock and single OC model for sale, some will have multiple models with different levels of OC (done at the factory and thus covered by warranty).
2) Cooling - there is a "reference" cooler that is recommended for each card by AMD/nVidia that has certain characteristics for cooling capacity and noise and is rated for the stock speeds/voltages. If the maker wants to have a big overclock this often puts out too much heat so they will replace the reference cooler with something better.
There is also the lines that keep the frequencies/voltage at stock but have a non-reference cooler that is generally either a lot quieter or keeps it colder (or sometimes both).

Once could argue there is a 3) bundled __it that comes in the box like a free game, tee shirt, or similar that differ between cards of the same family - but I'm not counting this.
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October 17, 2014 2:46:26 PM

in my opinion is just different configuration, such as a higher clock speed, better cooling, bundles etc. but they all got the same chip.
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October 17, 2014 3:47:04 PM

Thanks for your answers :) 
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