INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Graphics cards have been the alpha and the omega for gamers all around the world since the mid 90's when the first really "serious" game titles made their appearance on the PC (titles like Mech Warrior, Tomb Raider, Phantasmagoria, Tex Murphy and Wing Commander 3). Back then of course things were a lot simpler compared to now since gamers only had a handful of cards to choose from by manufacturers like NVIDIA (Riva 128/TNT/GeForce), 3DFX (Voodoo), Matrox (Millennium/Mystique) and ATI (3D Rage/Rage Pro) and the one thing everyone cared most was compatibility with games rather than performance (something which continued for many years to come). NVIDIA and ATI/AMD cards have dominated the market for the past 14 years and today in the market gamers can find the 18th line to carry the name GeForce (10th generation GPU) and the 23rd line to carry the name Radeon (if I’m not mistaken) so it's easy to see how much things have advanced compared to back then. We haven't had a graphics card review on NikKTech for a long time but when we were asked to test one of the latest NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970's to hit the market and more specifically the WindForce 3X OC by GIGABYTE we simply couldn't refuse.

   Founded in 1986, as a small research and development team, GIGABYTE Technology Co. Ltd. has taken a position as one of the industry's top motherboard manufacturers. Lauded for high-performance motherboards and graphics cards, GIGABYTE holds numerous overclocking world records thanks to technical design prowess and innovative patented technology. GIGABYTE further expanded its product portfolio to include laptops and desktop PCs, computer peripherals, datacenter solutions, mobile phones, as well as home entertainment devices to provide a full range of hardware for home and enterprise use.

   The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 is not a new card and has been around for 8 full months but that's obviously not enough to take the spotlight off since it's still one of the best-selling models in the market (fully supports DirectX v12.1, OpenGL v4.5, OpenCL v1.2 and Shader Model v5). It sits right between the GTX 960 and GTX 980 cards (and the new GTX 980Ti) but in reality it's not that much slower compared to the 980 model since it's just a slightly cut-down version of the same 28nm GM204 Maxwell processor but with 1664 shader processors (instead of 2048), 13 streaming multiprocessors (instead of 16) and 104 texture units (instead of 128). Default core and memory clocks are also reduced (something resolved in all OC’ed models) but everything else remains pretty much the same including a ROP count of 64 (only 56 are functional however) and a 256bit memory interface along with a total of 4GB GDDR5 RAM (3.5GB is however usable). The GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 970 WindForce 3X OC features a different design PCB, custom tri-fan cooling system based on the WindForce 600W and two power connectors (8+6pin) three things that allow it to run the core at a 1114MHz base clock and 1253MHz Boost clock and the memory at 1753MHz (64MHz more over the stock base clock and 75MHz over the stock boost clock). So let’s see what kind of performance you can expect with some of the latest games to hit the market with the GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 970 WindForce 3X OC 4GB.

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GIGABYTE sells the GTX 970 WindForce 3X OC inside a glossy box with a large blue LED eye at the front, the model name and some of the model features.

 

 

The serial number, barcode, product number and available VRAM are all placed on the right side.

 

 

Features like the WindForce 3X system and the FLEX display technology are explained in depth at the rear of the box.

 

 

The card is placed inside a static-free bag and a thick piece of black foam.

 

 

As you can see the bundle is far from what I’d call rich but at least along with the quick start guide and the software CD you're getting two dual Molex to PCI-E power adapters.

 

 

THE GEFORCE GTX 970 WINDFORCE 3X OC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The GeForce GTX 970 WindForce 3X OC is a dual slot model that measures roughly 295mm long and 110mm tall and so it should fit in most cases currently in the market.

 

 

GIGABYTE has been using the WindForce 600W system for quite some time now and although the WindForce 3X is actually a slightly cut-down version of that it still has a similar number of fins and of course three high-RPM 60mm fans.

 

 

The WindForce logo is placed at the top of the black shroud but although we expected it to have a LED beneath it actually doesn't (perhaps that applies with other WindForce models).

 

 

Unlike the G1 model again by GIGABYTE the rear of the 3X OC is "naked" and although this means better cooling in some cases still a rear plate provides better stability.

 

 

Both SLI connectors feature rubber protective caps.

 

 

The card is powered by both a 8pin and a 6pin PCI-E connectors.

 

 

The PCI-E slot is also covered with a rubber protective cap.

 

 

GIGABYTE has placed two DVI ports, three DisplayPorts and one HDMI v2.0 port on the GeForce GTX 970 WindForce 3X OC (all are protected with rubber caps) and thanks to their FLEX display technology you can use both DVI ports, one DisplayPort and the HDMI at the same time (or all three DisplayPorts, one DVI and the HDMI port).

 

 

Since we basically started testing graphics cards from scratch i had to go out and "borrow" as many models as i could from friends (much faster that way) and in the end i was only able to get two GTX 960 cards (ASUS STRIX 2GB/MSI Gaming 2GB), another GTX 970 card (EVGA FTW ACX 2.0 4GB) and a single Radeon R9 280X card (ASUS DirectCU II 3GB). Of course we still have a GTX 670 and a GTX 650 in the lab (and a 590 which stopped working a few days ago) so this should be somewhat interesting.

 

 

OC GURU II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although GIGABYTE ships the card with a software CD it's always best if you head onto their official support page to check for new software versions.

 

 

The OC Guru II software is really not great looking but it's very easy to use since everything you need is right in front of you.

 

 

Of course aside letting you tweak clocks and voltages the software also allows you to monitor the status of the card.

 

 

If the already OC’ed clocks are not enough you can further OC the card by clicking on the OC tab and then apply (that ups the base GPU clock to 1139MHz and the boost clock to 1278MHz). Of course you can furter OC the card manually.

 

 

You can also control the speed of the fan via the OC Guru II software.

 

 

Overclocking your monitor is not something I’d suggest (if you do never go over 80Hz on a 60Hz one) but OC Guru II allows you to do this as well.

 

 

Finally you can also adjust the location of the OSD (on screen display).

 

 

TEST BED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TESTING METHODOLOGY

   Starting from scratch is not easy so as expected our GPU database will not include models not in our procession any longer. Of course all tests were performed using the latest drivers this time over but due to time issues and also because some older models are no longer in our hands sometimes this will simply not be possible (the drivers used will always be placed next to each card). The cards tested today and currently in our database are the following ones:

Gainward GeForce GTX 650 Ti BOOST 2GB GS - ForceWare v353.30
Gainward GeForce GTX 670 Phantom 2GB - ForceWare v353.30
ASUS GeForce GTX 960 Strix 2GB - ForceWare v353.30
MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 2GB - ForceWare v353.30
EVGA GeForce GTX 970 FTW ACX 2.0 4GB - ForceWare 353.30
ASUS Radeon R9 280X DirectCU II 3GB - Catalyst 15.6 Beta
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 970 WindForce 3X OC 4GB – ForceWare v353.30

     Once again the screen used for all the benchmarks is our primary NEC 30" 3090WQXi LCD with a maximum resolution of 2560x1600. However we decided to change things to make it easier for us to perform tests so our testing methodology now includes a total of 5 games benchmarked in two different resolutions (2560X1600 and 1920X1200) and with all quality settings set to maximum (AA and AF are not applicable in our tests). The 5 game titles we're currently using consist from both old ones we've used in the past and new ones including Alien Isolation, Bioshock Infinite, Battlefield 4, Metro Last Light and RYSE Son Of Rome (all games are updated to their latest versions). All tests are repeated a total of 6 times and in a fresh Windows 7 Ultimate Service Pack 1 installation. Room temperature is as usual controlled and steady at 23 degrees Celsius for all tests and to record the temperatures of the cards we used AIDA64 (former Everest Ultimate by Lavalys) and GPU-Z. Recording noise levels is done with an ExTech HD600 dBA meter from a distance of no more than 5-10cm away while power consumption is measured using both with a voltmeter and an amperometer (GPU-Z sometimes comes in handy in this as well).

 

 

TEST RESULTS – ALIEN ISOLATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEST RESULTS – RYSE SON OF ROME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEST RESULTS – BATTLEFIELD 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEST RESULTS – BIOSHOCK INFINITE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEST RESULTS – METRO LAST LIGHT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEST RESULTS – POWER CONSUMPTION / NOISE LEVELS / TEMPERATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEST RESULTS – OVERCLOCKING

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   It didn’t take long to max out the cards clocks using OC Guru II and in the end we managed to push the core at 1290MHz base clock, 1429MHz boost clock and the memories at 1953MHz (almost a 12% increase overall).

   Of course we retested the card to see what kind of improvement you can expect if you OC it as much (and also what you can expect in terms of temperatures).

 

 

   Our OC gave us a 5% boost in Alien Isolation and almost a 12% boost in Battlefield 4 (temperatures increased 5 degrees under load).

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Although there was a time when I’d be amongst the first to use (not always test) every new card in the market lately this has changed so the GeForce GTX 970 WindForce 3X OC 4GB by GIGABYTE is the first one of its line to make it to my hands (I hope not the last). So after almost 2 years since doing my last GPU review did the GTX 970 blow me away with its performance and features? Well performance is great especially from a card that requires roughly the same amount of electricity as the GTX 670 did so if you add the massive overclocking headroom and the low noise and temperature levels thanks to the WindForce 3X cooler things can hardly get any better than this. Now I would like a better looking OC Guru II software since I think this is way too “simple” but as mentioned earlier that may be a good thing for some people. Also I’ve been keeping tabs on the ROP/Memory issue with the GTX 970 line since the beginning and I have to agree with all of the editors who say that in the end it doesn’t matter since indeed the performance has been there from the start so that doesn’t really change anything. True 3.5GB usable compared to 4GB is not the same and in 4k resolutions it “may” cut down performance by a very small percentage but really if 3.5GB aren’t enough for a game I doubt 4GB would be. In the end this was all a marketing error (or stunt) which changes nothing really, not for the end user.

   Since the GeForce GTX 970 is not very new in the market its price has dropped over the months and so today you can find the WindForce 3X OC 4GB edition by GIGABYTE (GV-N970WF3OC-4GD) for just USD331.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and 352Euros inside the EU (Amazon.co.uk). Of course you can always opt for the higher OC model (G1) again by GIGABYTE which retails for around USD20/20Euros more but from what we see there’s very little reason for that (we’d only get it because of the extra support by the backplate). Long story short if 4k gaming is not your thing you simply can’t go wrong with a GeForce GTX 970 and especially the WindForce 3X OC by GIGABYTE which is why it gets our Platinum Award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Excellent Performance
- FLEX Display Technology
- WindForce 3X Cooler (Silent With Low Temperatures)
- Power Consumption
- Good Factory Overclock
- Overclocking Headroom
- HDMI v2.0 / 3x DisplayPort / 2xDVI
- 4GB VRAM (3.5GB Usable)
- OC Guru II (Easy to Use)

 

CONS

- Only USD20/20Euros Cheaper Compared To the Higher OC G1 Model
- Factory OC Just For the GPU