Who's going to wait out the 970/980 craze?

Running two gtx 670's and I don't see a need to upgrade yet. Also running an overclocked 2500k and don't see a need to upgrade that either. Most likely my next build will be when there is a significant increase in both CPU and a GPU that will beat my SLI setup by a big margin. I have the upgrade bug right now, but I certainly don't need anything. :(
 
Liger88 said:
You wont regret it like some of these chumps who blew there load on the 970/980's for a few percent higher gain than the 780 Ti's they had. Chances are the reason why the price difference between the 970 and 980 is $230 for little gain is to offset the cost of releasing a 980 Ti at around $549 with a solid +30% across the board performance gain.

That would allow them room to counter whatever AMD has early next year or at least stay price competitive by shifting the GTX 980 down to $399 the 970 to $299 and the 960 to $199. That's my prediction. Will check back in a few months lol.
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I'm looking at the GTX 970 (specifically the ASUS STRIX version) - however, I'll be using it as an upgrade from a GTX 550Ti (as opposed to going with a GTX 750 Ti, as I had originally planed to do).

Reason the first - all GTX 970s (including the STRIX, of course) have medium - not large - power requirements; however the STRIX stands out by requiring a mere single 6+2 GPU-power feed. Shades of GTX 660.

Reason the second - it outperforms said GTX660, despite a smaller memory bus; in fact, it outperforms the GTX 770 it replaces - yet is priced between the two (a bit more than the 660, and less than GTX 770).

Reason the last - I have but a single 1920x1080 display - which is plenty for my use, thank you. I tend to wait at least a year after release before buying shooters - my gaming jones is usually fed by RTS titles. (Crysis 3 was a decided exception, and Titanfall - the OTHER exception - is not as demanding as the other shooters of this year, and far less so than Crysis 3.) Therefore, I actually think this card should last through at least one CPU upgrade, if not more.

The issue - for once - is availability, not price.
 
Just upgraded from a 2600k at 4.5 ghz running 670s sli, and I am glad I did.
This rig is running great. love this mobo.
So what if it doesn't have ESATA.....never had a device that used it!
 
PGHammer said:
Reason the first - all GTX 970s (including the STRIX, of course) have medium - not large - power requirements; however the STRIX stands out by requiring a mere single 6+2 GPU-power feed. Shades of GTX 660.

Reason the second - it outperforms said GTX660, despite a smaller memory bus; in fact, it outperforms the GTX 770 it replaces - yet is priced between the two (a bit more than the 660, and less than GTX 770).
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You might have the wrong information/impression on some of these points.

The Asus 970 is one of the more conservatively power budget GTX 970s and has been tested to use less power. However strictly speaking its 8 pin power connector configuration is functionally the same (in terms of power delivery) as 2x6pin connectors also common other GTX 970 boards.

Also the reference GTX 660 had 1x6pin power connector.

The GTX 970 has a wider memory bus than the GTX 660 and higher clocked memory, as such peak memory bandwidth is significantly higher. Memory bandwidth is identical to the GTX 770.

It's lower than the GTX 770s launch MSRP ($400), however the GTX 770s MSRP was cut to $330 (the same as the GTX 970s current launch MSRP) last September (1 year ago).
 
limitedaccess said:
You might have the wrong information/impression on some of these points.

The Asus 970 is one of the more conservatively power budget GTX 970s and has been tested to use less power. However strictly speaking its 8 pin power connector configuration is functionally the same (in terms of power delivery) as 2x6pin connectors also common other GTX 970 boards.

Also the reference GTX 660 had 1x6pin power connector.

The GTX 970 has a wider memory bus than the GTX 660 and higher clocked memory, as such peak memory bandwidth is significantly higher. Memory bandwidth is identical to the GTX 770.

It's lower than the GTX 770s launch MSRP ($400), however the GTX 770s MSRP was cut to $330 (the same as the GTX 970s current launch MSRP) last September (1 year ago).
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It's also important to point out that even though it's cheaper than the 770, it has performance levels on par with the 780 or better.
 
For me, yes, I want the Gigabyte GV-N980G1 to put into my newly constructed UberBoxen. It's kinda hard to call your machine the UberBoxen when it has a old Palit GeForce GTX 460 paired up with a i7-4790K processor. I can wait until it gets in stock.

I know that compared with other members SLI/Crossfile multi-monitor X99 setups, calling it UberBoxen is probably more of a joke. It is, however, an upgrade from what I was using previously which was a 7yo E6600 Core 2 Duo with 8GB of memory. I'm upgrading in steps through.
 
limitedaccess said:
You might have the wrong information/impression on some of these points.

The Asus 970 is one of the more conservatively power budget GTX 970s and has been tested to use less power. However strictly speaking its 8 pin power connector configuration is functionally the same (in terms of power delivery) as 2x6pin connectors also common other GTX 970 boards.

Also the reference GTX 660 had 1x6pin power connector.

The GTX 970 has a wider memory bus than the GTX 660 and higher clocked memory, as such peak memory bandwidth is significantly higher. Memory bandwidth is identical to the GTX 770.

It's lower than the GTX 770s launch MSRP ($400), however the GTX 770s MSRP was cut to $330 (the same as the GTX 970s current launch MSRP) last September (1 year ago).
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While the reference GTX 660 had the single six-pin, the ASUS GTX660s (not Ti) I had seen in a test-rig at MC Rockville had dual 6-pin connectors. Hair-splitting, I'll admit, however.

The GTX970 (like the GTX 980) has a 256-bit memory bus - identical to the GTX660, but less than the GTX770.

The GTX 770's SRP was cut because it's going away - the GTX 970 replaces it.

What's driving me buggy is that the ROG Striker GTX 760 is in stock - and at $45USD less than the STRIX GTX 970, is awfully tempting - especially since I do more than gaming, and run OSes other than Windows.

For the first time since my AIW days, I find a GPU that I can afford that will do everything I could ask of it, that I can afford - however, it's apparently partly constructed from Hard-To-Obtanium. (I'm referring to the inventory woes.)
 
PGHammer said:
While the reference GTX 660 had the single six-pin, the ASUS GTX660s (not Ti) I had seen in a test-rig at MC Rockville had dual 6-pin connectors. Hair-splitting, I'll admit, however.

The GTX970 (like the GTX 980) has a 256-bit memory bus - identical to the GTX660, but less than the GTX770.

The GTX 770's SRP was cut because it's going away - the GTX 970 replaces it.

What's driving me buggy is that the ROG Striker GTX 760 is in stock - and at $45USD less than the STRIX GTX 970, is awfully tempting - especially since I do more than gaming, and run OSes other than Windows.
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You aren't correct on those points still.

The GTX 660 has a 192-bit memory bus with memory clocked at 6ghz (peak bandwidth 144.2 GB/sec), also if using the common 2gb memory configuration 512mb of that is only accessible at a much lower speed. The GTX 770, 970 and 980 have a 256-bit memory bus with memory clocked at 7ghz (peak bandwidth 224.3 GB/s).

The GTX 770 was launched at $400 MSRP in May 2013. It was cut to $330 MSRP in September 2013, likely influenced by AMDs rx 2xx series release. It was made EOL with the release of hte GTX 970/980, any further price drops were not official MSRP price cuts from Nvidia.

The GTX 970 is over 50% faster than the GTX 760 and it has newer features. A GTX 760 4gb would need to be under 66% of the price of a GTX 970 to be even worth considering from a value standpoint. At only $45 less than the Asus Strix 970 it's massively overpriced still (even accounting for the game bundle). Not sure why specifically you feel it will be a better card for non gaming and other OSes.
 
I really want a 970 because they are so fast and cheap, but I'm on the fence. I can get a decent aftermarket 290 for 200 used.
 
I wanted to get one but after bit of thinking upgrade from 770 is not significant enough for the amount of cash I'd have to pay.

I might do a swap for aftermarket 290 instead to have something till 20 nm cards are released or until non-titan priced big maxwell card ;)
 
Michaelius said:
I wanted to get one but after bit of thinking upgrade from 770 is not significant enough for the amount of cash I'd have to pay.

I might do a swap for aftermarket 290 instead to have something till 20 nm cards are released or until non-titan priced big maxwell card ;)
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I should have mine in on Thursday. i'll let you know if it's an insignificant swap or not.
 
limitedaccess said:
You aren't correct on those points still.

The GTX 660 has a 192-bit memory bus with memory clocked at 6ghz (peak bandwidth 144.2 GB/sec), also if using the common 2gb memory configuration 512mb of that is only accessible at a much lower speed. The GTX 770, 970 and 980 have a 256-bit memory bus with memory clocked at 7ghz (peak bandwidth 224.3 GB/s).

The GTX 770 was launched at $400 MSRP in May 2013. It was cut to $330 MSRP in September 2013, likely influenced by AMDs rx 2xx series release. It was made EOL with the release of hte GTX 970/980, any further price drops were not official MSRP price cuts from Nvidia.

The GTX 970 is over 50% faster than the GTX 760 and it has newer features. A GTX 760 4gb would need to be under 66% of the price of a GTX 970 to be even worth considering from a value standpoint. At only $45 less than the Asus Strix 970 it's massively overpriced still (even accounting for the game bundle). Not sure why specifically you feel it will be a better card for non gaming and other OSes.
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That last is what is driving me buggy, more than any other issue. The "other OSes" in particular are OS X and (possibly) SteamOS - Yosemite is not even a week out from GM, and I have heard nit on Maxwell compatibility with SteamOS. Assuming that because an older card works fine that a newer card will almost invariably leads to "gotchas" with you as the got - something I'd rather avoid when spending in the area of three pictures of Ben Franklin on a GPU. Kepler on both OSes (OS X Yosemite and SteamOS) is a known quantity - "big Maxwell" on either is largely unknown. (A lack of data, in other words.)
 
I'm still gaming on a GTX275 and still waiting.

The prices of the 780/780Ti were, and still are, ridiculous otherwise I would have upgraded months ago. I'll keep waiting for the 980Ti and see what that does to current prices.
 
greens said:
The prices of the 780/780Ti were, and still are, ridiculous otherwise I would have upgraded months ago. I'll keep waiting for the 980Ti and see what that does to current prices.
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What GTX980Ti? As what has been discussed to death, the GTX980 is fully unlocked as the CEO of Nvidia stated at launch. It would have to be a new chip, and why would they do that when they OWN the market in this final 4th quarter? What you might see is a GTX990 and the release of 8GB GTX 980's.

AMD is looking more like a circus with its recent announced layoffs, changing CEO before 3rd quarter financial earnings report(Dumb Asses) Roy@AMD blowing through cash to fly around the world posting twitter pics with global retailers giving thumbs up as he goes and making outlandish "coming soon" posts over new products no one gives a fuck about. (Think "Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego") (Radeon SSD Drives/Ram)

The false hood of competition is just that. AMD is bleeding. Cpu, apu, and gpu. Too many divisions versus the only 1 Nvidia has: Graphics.

Moral of this story, buy yourself a badass GTX980 and enjoy the hell out of it now. Later could lead you getting hit by a car and never have had that joy. ;)
 
SnowBeast said:
What GTX980Ti? As what has been discussed to death, the GTX980 is fully unlocked as the CEO of Nvidia stated at launch. It would have to be a new chip
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Just because there are no additional cores to enable doesn't prevent Nvidia from releasing a "Ti" variant. I'm not saying they'll bother, but they could still VERY easily create such a part.

All they have to do is un-cap the power limit a bit (maybe add a few phases to the power regulation), up the core clock a bunch, and up the RAM on 8GB. Those improvements would be enough to warrant a "Ti" badge, no "new chip" required.
 
Unknown-One said:
Just because there are no additional cores to enable doesn't prevent Nvidia from releasing a "Ti" variant. I'm not saying they'll bother, but they could still VERY easily create such a part.

All they have to do is un-cap the power limit a bit (maybe add a few phases to the power regulation), up the core clock a bunch, and up the RAM on 8GB. Those improvements would be enough to warrant a "Ti" badge, no "new chip" required.
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nope. Ti is synonymous with more cores.
 
Unknown-One said:
Just because there are no additional cores to enable doesn't prevent Nvidia from releasing a "Ti" variant. I'm not saying they'll bother, but they could still VERY easily create such a part.

All they have to do is un-cap the power limit a bit (maybe add a few phases to the power regulation), up the core clock a bunch, and up the RAM on 8GB. Those improvements would be enough to warrant a "Ti" badge, no "new chip" required.
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Bro its the full chip, nothing to unlock or offer a TI version for. They can put a TI sticker on a 980 for you and sell for $200 more, there is your TI...
 
Odellus said:
nope. Ti is synonymous with more cores.
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Nope, Ti can mean anything Nvidia wants it to mean.

That could include a better card based on exactly the same GPU. This would NOT be the first time they've pulled such a stunt with their naming. Remember the 8800 Ultra? Exactly the same GPU as the 8800 GTX, didn't stop them from using the higher-echelon suffix.

Igroock said:
Bro its the full chip, nothing to unlock or offer a TI version for.
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Yes, I know, I already acknowledged that point. As I said, just because there are no additional cores does not prevent them from releasing a "Ti" version of the card.

Better power regulation circuitry, power-target un-capped to 250w, increased core clock, double the RAM to 8GB... there's your GTX 980 Ti.

Igroock said:
They can put a TI sticker on a 980 for you and sell for $200 more, there is your TI...
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I'm talking about the potential for a card with an entirely different PCB and very different specs from the existing GTX 980, not merely a re-badge.
 
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noobthegreat said:
I've run out of things to play and nothing really stresses my setup at 1080p (270 CFX or 290 equivalent); I also can't go sub-120hz anymore so I can't upgrade my display until they start pushing out reliable 1440p 120hz monitors. I don't have the space or interest for surround.

So not for lack of desire or anything but I just don't need to upgrade right now. Maybe around the time the upper range ~150w cards hit 200 bucks each, I'll be back in the market.
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Have I, or have I not been trying to point out that very little, if not anything, is pushing the entirety of PC hardware these days? If something pushes the graphical limits, it turns out that the CPU side is horribly coded - shades of the Original Crysis. If the CPU side is done right, current GPUs can more than keep up with it - and the higher end is horked off. (Titanfall, Crysis 3, etc.)

As far as 150W GPUs, GTX 970 is about that at stock - and it is taking the hungrier GTX 780 to the woodshed, while costing not much more than higher-end GTX 760, and less than GTX 770, let alone GTX 780. You obviously really wanted an excuse NOT to upgrade - for whatever reason. To each their own. However, just don't try to blow smoke up my posterior about why. (I admit that the economy is STILL in horrible shape - it put ME in "stall mode" on my own hardware upgrades for two years. I have been, however, honest at least with myself about the why of it, and I still kept the plans upgraded despite the stall. Because my personal situation improved, I can desist the stalling - and I'm held back by what is in stock - availability, not price.)

I'll also admit that I prefer to shop retail for GPUs - due to the "immediate availability" factor and being able to RMA in person, as opposed to RMA-by-mail (or carrier - even UPS or FedEx) for the justifiable reason that not every manufacturer has as solid an RMA process as Intel.
 
SnowBeast said:
What GTX980Ti? As what has been discussed to death, the GTX980 is fully unlocked as the CEO of Nvidia stated at launch...
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I'm not sure why you're so wound up about this.

1: No sensible company exec is ever going to launch a product and be like: "Btw, we have something faster coming in a few months". See also: The Osbourne Effect.

2: No way is the 980 going to be the top specced 9xx/Maxwell single-gpu card until Pascal. It's a near certainty that there will be at least one higher performing 1-gpu card to come in the next 6-8 months, as well as a dual gpu.

Whether they go with a small bump for a few bucks and call it the "980ti", or a bigger bump for a few more bucks and call it "Titan2" or something (or more likely both eventually), there's going to be something.
 
waiting till GTA 5 comes out and then I'll wait some more. I don't think even a 980 could play it on ultra settings with minimum 60fps.
 
me. i want 20nm, my 7970 lightning can soldier on another six months.
 
I have a 680 and 290. Going to wait until a die shrink before I upgrade. The performance of the 970/980 isn't that much better than the 290. Certainly not worth the cost of changing.
 
seanclayton said:
900 series is disappointing. It is still on par with last gen cards. 2015 games will make em cry.
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How so? It basically wiped the floor of everything AMD. A decent increase from a 780ti and AMD completely got slaughtered. Would I upgrade from a 780/780ti/290x? No probably not... I wait until my new card will be 2x's faster. Is it a disappointment? Hell no. You have to compare OC card vs. OC card like the [H] did in the review below. My card is OC'd 30% over stock.

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2014...overclocking_video_card_review/5#.VEqo_PnF98E
 
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seanclayton said:
900 series is disappointing. It is still on par with last gen cards. 2015 games will make em cry.
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I don't know how many times I have to keep saying this but 970/980 was intended for those still using the 680 or below. If you have a 780 or above, you're not the target audience so move along.

Besides you're comparing a midrange chip (GM204) to big Kepler (GK110). That GM204 can edge out big Kepler and at only 2/3 the TDP is pretty significant. Just imagine what a 250W GM200 aka big Max can do. I predict it will absolutely decimate GK110.
 
Was gonna stick it out for a while longer with my 750 Ti but getting 780 performance @ $330 was too tempting. Easy sell.
 
I would just like to be able to find the MSI Gaming 970 in stock. It would make a great upgrade for my flashed 6950 @1440p resolution... Every new game that comes out I have to either turn down graphics or resolution or both.
 
If the Pascal is 2016 launch, then I believe we will see 980 ti or some other refresh of maxwell at Windows 10 launch. This time not just "dx12 ready" but "dx12 fully compatible" . I believe, it would increase sales, when they will tell people "see, with new windows comes new card"
 
You guys should frequent slickdeals more often. Managed to get the Asus 970 Stix off tigerdirect for $265 after coupon and cash back.
 
Jinru said:
You guys should frequent slickdeals more often. Managed to get the Asus 970 Stix off tigerdirect for $265 after coupon and cash back.
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That was a helluva deal! I'm sitting out the 900 series, but would've jumped on that 970 for that price.
 
which is the better buy if pricing was pretty much the same: GTX 970 or a GTX 780 6GB?
 
polonyc2 said:
which is the better buy if pricing was pretty much the same: GTX 970 or a GTX 780 6GB?
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970 still the better buy, because by the time you actually need 6GB of memory, the 780 would've run out of steam anyway.
 
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