EVGA GeForce GTX 970From real comments

Verdict distilled from 23 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment52%
PROS 52%
CONS 48%

Rank based on 23 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You're upgrading from an older card like a GT 730, 650 Ti, or HD 7870 for a big 1080p/1440p performance boost
  • You want solid AAA gaming performance and can tolerate the ACX 2.0 cooler's known heat pipe design
  • You find a good price, as some report grabbing units for as little as $143

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're sensitive to coil whine, which several buyers report experiencing
  • You need guaranteed full 4GB VRAM access, given the well-known 3.5GB memory limitation
  • You already have comparable or better cards, as one user found dual 290x Lightnings more satisfying than the 970

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
PowerColor RX 6800
Cool, quiet cooling performanceSleek, understated build qualityLow power consumptionHigh prices during shortageCoil whine on some unitsFan durability concerns long-term
PowerColor RX 6800
Cool, quiet cooling performance
Sleek, understated build quality
Low power consumption
High prices during shortage
Coil whine on some units
Fan durability concerns long-term
Best value
2Budget
Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti
Exceptional longevitySolid 1080p performanceGood upgrade path from old GPUsLimited to lower/medium settings for demanding gamesNot top-tier performanceFan/cooler reliability over time
Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti
Exceptional longevity
Solid 1080p performance
Good upgrade path from old GPUs
Limited to lower/medium settings for demanding games
Not top-tier performance
Fan/cooler reliability over time
3Premium
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
Exceptional longevityStrong 1440p gaming performanceGreat used market valueEventually needs replacement in demanding gamesLacks modern feature setThermal paste degradation over time
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
Exceptional longevity
Strong 1440p gaming performance
Great used market value
Eventually needs replacement in demanding games
Lacks modern feature set
Thermal paste degradation over time
4Mid
Nvidia GeForce GTX 660
Strong 1080p gaming performanceExcellent value for moneyLong-term reliability and longevityBrand-specific fan noise concernsLimited VRAM versus competitorsOccasional driver/compatibility issues
Nvidia GeForce GTX 660
Strong 1080p gaming performance
Excellent value for money
Long-term reliability and longevity
Brand-specific fan noise concerns
Limited VRAM versus competitors
Occasional driver/compatibility issues
5Mid
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
Strong 1080p/1440p performancePerformance comparable to GTX 1070/1070Ti at lower priceLong-term reliability and aging wellHigh price for a mid-range card12GB variant seen as poor value or confusingLimited 6GB VRAM
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
Strong 1080p/1440p performance
Performance comparable to GTX 1070/1070Ti at lower price
Long-term reliability and aging well
High price for a mid-range card
12GB variant seen as poor value or confusing
Limited 6GB VRAM
6Budget
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
No external power connector neededGreat for small form factor and HTPC buildsLater became a good value due to shortagesPoor value versus RX 570Overpriced at launchRegional price disparities make it worse value
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
No external power connector needed
Great for small form factor and HTPC builds
Later became a good value due to shortages
Poor value versus RX 570
Overpriced at launch
Regional price disparities make it worse value
7Mid
PNY RTX 5070 Ti
Near-MSRP pricing and dealsCool operating temperaturesQuiet operation for most unitsCoil whine / fan noise on some unitsConfusing naming schemeNew 12-pin power connector adoption concerns
PNY RTX 5070 Ti
Near-MSRP pricing and deals
Cool operating temperatures
Quiet operation for most units
Coil whine / fan noise on some units
Confusing naming scheme
New 12-pin power connector adoption concerns
8Mid
PNY RTX 5070
Frequently available at or near MSRPStrong performance upgrade from older GPUsRuns cool and quiet, undervolts wellCoil whine or fan noise on some units12GB VRAM may limit future-proofingVoltage locked, limiting overclocking on some units
PNY RTX 5070
Frequently available at or near MSRP
Strong performance upgrade from older GPUs
Runs cool and quiet, undervolts well
Coil whine or fan noise on some units
12GB VRAM may limit future-proofing
Voltage locked, limiting overclocking on some units
9Budget
Nvidia GeForce GTX 750
Solid 1080p performanceExcellent budget valueExceptional longevityStruggles with demanding modern gamesCooling wear over yearsDriver instability
Nvidia GeForce GTX 750
Solid 1080p performance
Excellent budget value
Exceptional longevity
Struggles with demanding modern games
Cooling wear over years
Driver instability
10Budget
Zotac GTX 1650
Low power draw
Zotac GTX 1650
Low power draw
You are here
31Mid
EVGA GeForce GTX 970
Big performance upgradeStrong 1080p/1440p gaming performancePositive overall ownership experienceCoil whine reports3.5GB memory controversyLoud fan noise
EVGA GeForce GTX 970
Big performance upgrade
Strong 1080p/1440p gaming performance
Positive overall ownership experience
Coil whine reports
3.5GB memory controversy
Loud fan noise

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A clear performance upgrade for those coming from older or budget cards. Multiple commenters describe the GTX 970 as a major leap over previous hardware, including a jump from a GT 730 (15-25fps to 100+fps in Just Cause 2) and upgrades from a 650 Ti or HD 7870 LE. One reviewer highlighted a stable 60FPS at 1440p on Metro LL high settings, and another praised it for running modded Skyrim well. For 1080p gaming in particular, several users express satisfaction and confidence in the card's power.

Coil whine and thermal behavior are inconsistent across units. Several buyers report coil whine, with one describing an 'assortment of buzzers' at high framerates, though hoping it fades after break-in, while another got lucky with no whine at all. Others report the card running cool and quiet during AAA gaming. Separately, at least two commenters describe overheating causing display shutdowns, and one reports the card being both loud and hot, suggesting quality or configuration varies between individual cards.

The cooler design and Hybrid variant spark technical debate. EVGA confirmed the ACX 2.0 heat pipe alignment, where the GPU only fully contacts two of three heat pipes, was an intentional design choice due to GPU die size, and users discussed whether this causes real-world issues. The pricier Hybrid variant was criticized for matching the base SC edition's clocks, having only one BIOS chip versus two on cheaper models, and lacking a backplate, making its higher price harder to justify against overclocking-friendly alternatives.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?