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ASUS GeForce GTX 970 Strix review
Posted by: on: 09/24/2014 09:41 AM [
30 comment(s) ]
We review the new ASUS GeForce GTX 970 Strix edition. A product that has been overhauled in terms of PCB and cooling. ASUS also clocks the product a little faster then reference. The new DirectCU II based cooler is so good that it won't even spin with GPU temperatures up-to 67 Degrees C. This card however has one8-pin power feed and again, does come with that new revision model DirectCU cooler, the one with the two ROG eyes. The card has 4 GB graphics memory, is energy efficient and factory overclocked for you. You will be surprised by how this card looks, how silent it is, how well it performs and how much it can be overclocked.
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mohiuddin
Senior Member
Posts: 726
Senior Member
Posts: 726
Posted on: 09/24/2014 10:17 AM
Performance not bad. But you can decide not to buy it , just by looking at it.
Performance not bad. But you can decide not to buy it , just by looking at it.
bigfutus
Senior Member
Posts: 515
Senior Member
Posts: 515
Posted on: 09/24/2014 12:23 PM
My old Gigabyte GTX560 Ti was super noisy after two years, so i try Asus now. Not so stellar performance doesn't matter for me, because overclocking. And this time it's cheap like the rest, which is nice too.
My old Gigabyte GTX560 Ti was super noisy after two years, so i try Asus now. Not so stellar performance doesn't matter for me, because overclocking. And this time it's cheap like the rest, which is nice too.
alanm
Senior Member
Posts: 8644
Senior Member
Posts: 8644
Posted on: 09/24/2014 12:25 PM
Hilbert, nice review. I had ordered this card yesterday but then cancelled after reading this from the bit-tech review:
Not sure if they missed something here, but they set the fans "manually" at 50% (using Asus GPU Tweak). Cant this card use fan profiles in MSI-AB to follow temps or is their something hard coded in the bios that interferes with that due to the cards unique cooling design? If it can work with profiles like all other cards, I'll reorder it (and make sure never to visit bit-tech ever again). Thanks.
Hilbert, nice review. I had ordered this card yesterday but then cancelled after reading this from the bit-tech review:
One issue we did notice with the ASUS card is that it initially wasn't boosting as high as we'd have expected. We noticed that the fans didn't seem to want to spin beyond 42 percent, apparently prioritising low noise over boost frequency. As such, we set the fans manually to 50 percent, which saw a higher and more constant boost clock emerge. The downside to this is that the fan speed is locked, and won't slow down or enter its passive mode, even when idle.
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2014/09/19/nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-review/12
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2014/09/19/nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-review/12
Not sure if they missed something here, but they set the fans "manually" at 50% (using Asus GPU Tweak). Cant this card use fan profiles in MSI-AB to follow temps or is their something hard coded in the bios that interferes with that due to the cards unique cooling design? If it can work with profiles like all other cards, I'll reorder it (and make sure never to visit bit-tech ever again). Thanks.
Hilbert Hagedoorn
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 35335
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 35335
Posted on: 09/24/2014 12:49 PM
As my charts show, perf is just a hint slower overall, but so little in the entire scope of things.
I'm running some SLI tests ATM so the test-system / bench is in use, but if you can wait a bit longer I'll pop in the ASUS card later today and check if fan profiles work with AB for you ok ?
Not sure if they missed something here, but they set the fans "manually" at 50% (using Asus GPU Tweak). Cant this card use fan profiles in MSI-AB to follow temps or is their something hard coded in the bios that interferes with that due to the cards unique cooling design? If it can work with profiles like all other cards, I'll reorder it (and make sure never to visit bit-tech ever again). Thanks.
As my charts show, perf is just a hint slower overall, but so little in the entire scope of things.
I'm running some SLI tests ATM so the test-system / bench is in use, but if you can wait a bit longer I'll pop in the ASUS card later today and check if fan profiles work with AB for you ok ?
alanm
Senior Member
Posts: 8644
Senior Member
Posts: 8644
Posted on: 09/24/2014 01:29 PM
Thanks! Much appreciated!
Thanks! Much appreciated!
Pinstripe
Senior Member
Posts: 143
Senior Member
Posts: 143
Posted on: 09/24/2014 01:36 PM
Does the passive cooling has any negative impact on the longevity of the card? And what about the VRM temps and cooling?
If I can set fan profiles in Afterburner even in idle mode then all is good.
Does the passive cooling has any negative impact on the longevity of the card? And what about the VRM temps and cooling?
If I can set fan profiles in Afterburner even in idle mode then all is good.
eclap
Senior Member
Posts: 31501
Senior Member
Posts: 31501
Posted on: 09/24/2014 01:55 PM
Does the passive cooling has any negative impact on the longevity of the card? And what about the VRM temps and cooling?
If I can set fan profiles in Afterburner even in idle mode then all is good.
yes, you can set a custom fan profile that will apply to idle mode as well, of course, preventing the fans from stopping spinning. Takes a few clicks of the mouse in MSIA. That's what I did.
Does the passive cooling has any negative impact on the longevity of the card? And what about the VRM temps and cooling?
If I can set fan profiles in Afterburner even in idle mode then all is good.
yes, you can set a custom fan profile that will apply to idle mode as well, of course, preventing the fans from stopping spinning. Takes a few clicks of the mouse in MSIA. That's what I did.
Hilbert Hagedoorn
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 35335
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 35335
Posted on: 09/24/2014 02:05 PM
Alright Alanm, fully functional. You can start as low RPM 35% for IDLE and raise all the way up-to 100% fan RPM. That all works beautifully. The fan curve works fine, and if applied to startup at windows boot, it kicks in nicely.
So you should be good to go.
Alright Alanm, fully functional. You can start as low RPM 35% for IDLE and raise all the way up-to 100% fan RPM. That all works beautifully. The fan curve works fine, and if applied to startup at windows boot, it kicks in nicely.
So you should be good to go.
alanm
Senior Member
Posts: 8644
Senior Member
Posts: 8644
Posted on: 09/24/2014 02:32 PM
Alright Alanm, fully functional. You can start as low RPM 35% for IDLE and raise all the way up-to 100% fan RPM. That all works beautifully. The fan curve works fine, and if applied to startup at windows boot, it kicks in nicely.
So you should be good to go.
Thanks Hilbert, much appreciated. I will re-order this card. Will probably be using it in passive mode mostly (without fan profiles), but good to know that I have that option when I need it later on.
Alright Alanm, fully functional. You can start as low RPM 35% for IDLE and raise all the way up-to 100% fan RPM. That all works beautifully. The fan curve works fine, and if applied to startup at windows boot, it kicks in nicely.
So you should be good to go.
Thanks Hilbert, much appreciated. I will re-order this card. Will probably be using it in passive mode mostly (without fan profiles), but good to know that I have that option when I need it later on.
Segamon
Senior Member
Posts: 121
Senior Member
Posts: 121
Posted on: 09/24/2014 04:02 PM
much respect Hilbert for giving the time testing the card with profiles. much appreciated.
I'm going to get this little black beauty.
much respect Hilbert for giving the time testing the card with profiles. much appreciated.
I'm going to get this little black beauty.
bigfutus
Senior Member
Posts: 515
Senior Member
Posts: 515
Posted on: 09/24/2014 10:15 PM
Thanks a lot!
Alright Alanm, fully functional. You can start as low RPM 35% for IDLE and raise all the way up-to 100% fan RPM. That all works beautifully. The fan curve works fine, and if applied to startup at windows boot, it kicks in nicely.
Thanks a lot!
Rita
Junior Member
Posts: 18
Junior Member
Posts: 18
Posted on: 09/25/2014 05:57 AM
Alright Alanm, fully functional. You can start as low RPM 35% for IDLE and raise all the way up-to 100% fan RPM. That all works beautifully. The fan curve works fine, and if applied to startup at windows boot, it kicks in nicely.
So you should be good to go.
Thanks for everything.
I still can't make my mind, Gigabyte Vs. MSI Vs. EVGA Vs. Asus for a 970. I've heard some bad things about the EVGA ones already, some minor ones (coil whine and fan issues) for Gigabyte ones, MSI I always had problems with their support, so I tend to avoid 'em. Asus on the other hand has always been perfect, and Strix looks nice, I was worried about the cooling of VRM's and mem with the whole silly 0% RPM below 65c but since the custom fan profiles work so nicely -- it's good. However, that 80+ temp at VRM worries me, won't it severely affect it's longevity?
Alright Alanm, fully functional. You can start as low RPM 35% for IDLE and raise all the way up-to 100% fan RPM. That all works beautifully. The fan curve works fine, and if applied to startup at windows boot, it kicks in nicely.
So you should be good to go.
Thanks for everything.
I still can't make my mind, Gigabyte Vs. MSI Vs. EVGA Vs. Asus for a 970. I've heard some bad things about the EVGA ones already, some minor ones (coil whine and fan issues) for Gigabyte ones, MSI I always had problems with their support, so I tend to avoid 'em. Asus on the other hand has always been perfect, and Strix looks nice, I was worried about the cooling of VRM's and mem with the whole silly 0% RPM below 65c but since the custom fan profiles work so nicely -- it's good. However, that 80+ temp at VRM worries me, won't it severely affect it's longevity?
PhazeDelta1
Posts: 15618
Posts: 15618
Posted on: 09/25/2014 07:19 AM
nevermind. answered my own question.
nevermind. answered my own question.
alanm
Senior Member
Posts: 8644
Senior Member
Posts: 8644
Posted on: 09/25/2014 07:45 AM
The VRMs are designed to operate at 100c and above, so no issue there.
However, that 80+ temp at VRM worries me, won't it severely affect it's longevity?
The VRMs are designed to operate at 100c and above, so no issue there.
MoSTi
Junior Member
Posts: 10
Junior Member
Posts: 10
Posted on: 10/26/2014 10:29 AM
Hi All,
My Strix 970 boost to 1305mhz AB say, and VRM is like 90- 94c (1h gaming,max read) HWINFo say. Someone knows why boost so "high" or is this missreading from AB. Sry my english an thx for reply..
edit: aha ok, asus say boost go up to 1304mhz if thermals ok, so sorry for bothering.
Hi All,
My Strix 970 boost to 1305mhz AB say, and VRM is like 90- 94c (1h gaming,max read) HWINFo say. Someone knows why boost so "high" or is this missreading from AB. Sry my english an thx for reply..
edit: aha ok, asus say boost go up to 1304mhz if thermals ok, so sorry for bothering.
Mineria
Senior Member
Posts: 3824
Senior Member
Posts: 3824
Posted on: 02/15/2015 09:04 PM
Just wondering when the idle temperature was measured.
Cold boot or after some hours after powering the system up?
Idle temperatures should always be measured when the system has been up for some hours.
Seems like almost every single review measures cold boot temperatures, which gives a completely wrong impression.
Is it the general perception that idle means that Windows has to shut down the monitor or that idle means that Windows just sits their and display it's desktop without any 3D rendering going on?
It says IDLE (desktop) on the review.....
The ASUS STRIX GTX970 is around 50-60 Degrees C when it idles at the desktop too, nothing to be worried about though.
In SLI the card connected to the monitor will hit 50-60C, the second card will be around those 30C since it doesn't need to do any desktop composition.
Just wondering when the idle temperature was measured.
Cold boot or after some hours after powering the system up?
Idle temperatures should always be measured when the system has been up for some hours.
Seems like almost every single review measures cold boot temperatures, which gives a completely wrong impression.
Is it the general perception that idle means that Windows has to shut down the monitor or that idle means that Windows just sits their and display it's desktop without any 3D rendering going on?
It says IDLE (desktop) on the review.....
The ASUS STRIX GTX970 is around 50-60 Degrees C when it idles at the desktop too, nothing to be worried about though.
In SLI the card connected to the monitor will hit 50-60C, the second card will be around those 30C since it doesn't need to do any desktop composition.
alanm
Senior Member
Posts: 8644
Senior Member
Posts: 8644
Posted on: 02/15/2015 11:17 PM
Mine idles at around 38c after a few hours, cold boot around 29-30.
Mine idles at around 38c after a few hours, cold boot around 29-30.
Mineria
Senior Member
Posts: 3824
Senior Member
Posts: 3824
Posted on: 02/16/2015 03:54 PM
I have the same at boot.
That 38C is with a custom fan profile, correct?
Mine idles at around 38c after a few hours, cold boot around 29-30.
I have the same at boot.
That 38C is with a custom fan profile, correct?
alanm
Senior Member
Posts: 8644
Senior Member
Posts: 8644
Posted on: 02/16/2015 05:15 PM
I have the same at boot.
That 38C is with a custom fan profile, correct?
Nope, never saw a need for fan profile with this card. Prefer it as is.
I have the same at boot.
That 38C is with a custom fan profile, correct?
Nope, never saw a need for fan profile with this card. Prefer it as is.
Mineria
Senior Member
Posts: 3824
Senior Member
Posts: 3824
Posted on: 02/16/2015 07:22 PM
Do you live in a freezer?
Can't get it below 50-60C without using MSI AfterBurner to have the fans spinning.
When you say idle, is that using a browser and none 3D programs or that your away from keyboard and power savings kick in?
Just pondering, since my case should have enough vents, even got a corsair water cooler on the CPU.
Nope, never saw a need for fan profile with this card. Prefer it as is.
Do you live in a freezer?
Can't get it below 50-60C without using MSI AfterBurner to have the fans spinning.
When you say idle, is that using a browser and none 3D programs or that your away from keyboard and power savings kick in?
Just pondering, since my case should have enough vents, even got a corsair water cooler on the CPU.
alanm
Senior Member
Posts: 8644
Senior Member
Posts: 8644
Posted on: 02/16/2015 08:28 PM
Temps for the Strix seems to vary more than other cards, yours is probably the highest idle I've seen. In browsing mine may go up a degree or 2, videos go up to 45c at most. Only gaming will push it above 60c and load temps 76-78 (though most reviews show around 68-70c and lower idle than mine). Not sure if inconsistent TIM application between cards, but suspect the strix may be more affected by case temps/air flow than other cards since its fans are off at idle. I have a 200mm side fan blowing on it but not sure that would account for the large difference vs yours. You can test this by taking off your side panel and put an electric fan to blow on it. Also what are your load temps? If not higher than 78c, I wouldnt worry about it.
Temps for the Strix seems to vary more than other cards, yours is probably the highest idle I've seen. In browsing mine may go up a degree or 2, videos go up to 45c at most. Only gaming will push it above 60c and load temps 76-78 (though most reviews show around 68-70c and lower idle than mine). Not sure if inconsistent TIM application between cards, but suspect the strix may be more affected by case temps/air flow than other cards since its fans are off at idle. I have a 200mm side fan blowing on it but not sure that would account for the large difference vs yours. You can test this by taking off your side panel and put an electric fan to blow on it. Also what are your load temps? If not higher than 78c, I wouldnt worry about it.
Mineria
Senior Member
Posts: 3824
Senior Member
Posts: 3824
Posted on: 02/16/2015 09:10 PM
Not worried, just very curious.
Highest under gaming I have seen on it is 71C, even after some hours of gaming, which is weird since that is lower than yours.
I have this case http://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/143-h440-performance-mid-tower.html
Only ssd's and radiator mounted on top, even if it isn't the most free flowing case it's not very restrictive either.
I did see several other people write that their ASUS STRIX GTX970 hit's 60C when it is idle, so took a check on my card after and saw it also was at 60C idle.
Then I quickly checked the Guru3D review again and started to wonder.
Side fan does help to some extend, my previous HAFX was generally colder, didn't try the 970 in it though.
Temps for the Strix seems to vary more than other cards, yours is probably the highest idle I've seen. In browsing mine may go up a degree or 2, videos go up to 45c at most. Only gaming will push it above 60c and load temps 76-78 (though most reviews show around 68-70c and lower idle than mine). Not sure if inconsistent TIM application between cards, but suspect the strix may be more affected by case temps/air flow than other cards since its fans are off at idle. I have a 200mm side fan blowing on it but not sure that would account for the large difference vs yours. You can test this by taking off your side panel and put an electric fan to blow on it. Also what are your load temps? If not higher than 78c, I wouldnt worry about it.
Not worried, just very curious.
Highest under gaming I have seen on it is 71C, even after some hours of gaming, which is weird since that is lower than yours.
I have this case http://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/143-h440-performance-mid-tower.html
Only ssd's and radiator mounted on top, even if it isn't the most free flowing case it's not very restrictive either.
I did see several other people write that their ASUS STRIX GTX970 hit's 60C when it is idle, so took a check on my card after and saw it also was at 60C idle.
Then I quickly checked the Guru3D review again and started to wonder.
Side fan does help to some extend, my previous HAFX was generally colder, didn't try the 970 in it though.
-Tj-
Senior Member
Posts: 16185
Senior Member
Posts: 16185
Posted on: 02/16/2015 09:33 PM
Imho this no fan bellow 50-60C kinda sux, mine atm stays cool ~ 27C, even my old TF3 was ~ 35C
Dunno why they opt for this silly design and MSI is doing it also with TF4..
Imho this no fan bellow 50-60C kinda sux, mine atm stays cool ~ 27C, even my old TF3 was ~ 35C
Dunno why they opt for this silly design and MSI is doing it also with TF4..
alanm
Senior Member
Posts: 8644
Senior Member
Posts: 8644
Posted on: 02/16/2015 10:39 PM
Why would it suck if temps under 60c are no issue whatsoever for a graphics card? If fans are off 90% of the time (as with me), it means they are not sucking in dust, and with little operation have greater longevity. Good design idea imo.
Why would it suck if temps under 60c are no issue whatsoever for a graphics card? If fans are off 90% of the time (as with me), it means they are not sucking in dust, and with little operation have greater longevity. Good design idea imo.
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Senior Member
Posts: 1287
Nope, it seems this round Gigabyte is the winner, excellent clocking and cool VRMs.