NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
vs
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
GTX 970 GTX 970 Difference
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
Price $ 449.0 $ 449.0 0 (0%)
Year 2014 2014 0 (0%)
Maximum Recorded Temperature 64C 64C 0 (0%)
Max Fan Noise 47.5dB 47.5dB 0 (0%)
Recommended Power Supply 498W 498W 0 (0%)
Benchmark CPU Intel Core i7-6700K @ 4.00GHz ($334.99) Intel Core i5-7600K @ 3.80GHz ($250.99)
CPU Impact on FPS +0.9 FPS +1.2 FPS 0.3 (33%)
CPU Impact on FPS % 0.0% 0.0% 0 (0%)
Benchmark Quality Settings High Quality Settings High Quality Settings
Average 1080p Performance 106.7 FPS 107.1 FPS 0.43204958165582 (0%)
Average 1440p Performance 80.3 FPS 80.6 FPS 0.30461219912711 (0%)
(Ultrawide) Average 1440p Performance 70.6 FPS 70.9 FPS 0.31208169510828 (0%)
Average 4K Performance 52.5 FPS 52.7 FPS 0.1646129994968 (0%)
Memory 4 GB 4 GB 0 (0%)
1080p Cost Per Frame $ 5.2 $ 5.2 0 (0%)
1440p Cost Per Frame $ 7.3 $ 7.2 0.1 (1%)
(Ultrawide) 1440p Cost Per Frame $ 8.4 $ 8.4 0 (0%)
4K Cost Per Frame $ 11.9 $ 11.8 0.1 (1%)
Variant NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
Overall Combination Score 77/100 77/100 0 (0%)
Our Verdict: Upgrading from GTX 970 to GTX 970 is not recommended as it is less than 30% of improvement in performance. In general, a reasonable upgrade is between 30% and 50% or more to justify the purchase of new hardware.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970

The GTX 980 might be the high-end flagship of the latest Maxwell 2.0 set of graphics cards, but their prices keep them out of the reach of most mid-range PC gamers. On the other hand, the GTX 970 is closer to being reasonably affordable at a price tag of $ 329. NVIDIA ’s xx70 cards have always been defined by mid-range prices with performance that knocks on the door of high-end graphics cards – especially when overclocked. After taking the time to fully test the Maxwell 2.0 graphics card inside the GTX 970, we can say without a doubt that it continues the trend.

The GTX 970 is much more cheaper than the GTX 770 as it costs $ 329. Compare this to the GTX 770, which came originally at a price of $ 399. Meanwhile, the AMD closest equivalent card is the R9 290X which costs $ 549. Spec for spec, this GTX 970 leapfrogs its direct predecessor, the GTX 770, by boasting 46 % more fps.

The GTX 970 has 4 GB RAM compared to the GTX 770 's 2 GB video memory. In our synthetic benchmarks, the GTX 970 blows past the GTX 770 and, amazingly, even the GTX 780 as well.

Compared to its AMD 's closest rival, R9 290X, the GTX 970 was 1.6 % faster. Fortunately, gaming performance was quite impressive. The GTX 970 consistently delivers great frame rate increases over the GTX 770 and it really justifies an upgrade.

For 1080p Full HD, we were able to play Battlefield V, Fallout 76, Overwatch 2, World War Z, Apex Legends at 60 fps to 62 fps and kept frame rates hovering around 61 fps. For 1440p Quad HD, we were able to play Valorant at 96 fps to 96 fps and kept frame rates hovering around 96 fps.

For 2160p 4K, we were able to play Valorant at 84 fps to 84 fps and kept frame rates hovering around 84 fps.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970

The GTX 980 might be the high-end flagship of the latest Maxwell 2.0 set of graphics cards, but their prices keep them out of the reach of most mid-range PC gamers. On the other hand, the GTX 970 is closer to being reasonably affordable at a price tag of $ 329. NVIDIA ’s xx70 cards have always been defined by mid-range prices with performance that knocks on the door of high-end graphics cards – especially when overclocked. After taking the time to fully test the Maxwell 2.0 graphics card inside the GTX 970, we can say without a doubt that it continues the trend.

The GTX 970 is much more cheaper than the GTX 770 as it costs $ 329. Compare this to the GTX 770, which came originally at a price of $ 399. Meanwhile, the AMD closest equivalent card is the R9 290X which costs $ 549. Spec for spec, this GTX 970 leapfrogs its direct predecessor, the GTX 770, by boasting 46 % more fps.

The GTX 970 has 4 GB RAM compared to the GTX 770 's 2 GB video memory. In our synthetic benchmarks, the GTX 970 blows past the GTX 770 and, amazingly, even the GTX 780 as well.

Compared to its AMD 's closest rival, R9 290X, the GTX 970 was 1.6 % faster. Fortunately, gaming performance was quite impressive. The GTX 970 consistently delivers great frame rate increases over the GTX 770 and it really justifies an upgrade.

For 1080p Full HD, we were able to play Battlefield V, Fallout 76, Overwatch 2, World War Z, Apex Legends at 60 fps to 62 fps and kept frame rates hovering around 61 fps. For 1440p Quad HD, we were able to play Valorant at 96 fps to 96 fps and kept frame rates hovering around 96 fps.

For 2160p 4K, we were able to play Valorant at 84 fps to 84 fps and kept frame rates hovering around 84 fps.

Game Performance at selected quality settings

Change Quality Settings

1920x1080

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
Year Game Frames Per Second
2022 Elden Ring
58
64.5
58
64.8
2022 God of War
55
61.6
55
61.8
2022 Overwatch 2
94
105.0
94
105.4
2021 Forza Horizon 5
56
62.3
56
62.6
2021 Halo Infinite
44
49.2
44
49.4
2021 Battlefield 2042
75
83.7
75
84.0
2020 Assassin's Creed Valhalla
46
51.7
46
51.9
2020 Microsoft Flight Simulator
32
35.7
32
35.7
2020 Valorant
164
182.6
165
183.4
2020 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
74
82.6
74
82.9
2020 Death Stranding
84
93.4
84
93.7
2020 Marvel's Avengers
58
64.5
58
64.8
2020 Godfall
82
91.3
82
91.6
2020 Cyberpunk 2077
46
51.7
46
51.9
2019 Apex Legends
96
107.0
96
107.4
2019 Anthem
66
73.4
66
73.7
2019 Far Cry New Dawn
91
101.9
92
102.3
2019 Resident Evil 2
108
120.1
108
120.5
2019 Metro Exodus
54
60.0
54
60.2
2019 World War Z
94
105.0
94
105.4
2019 Gears of War 5
75
83.7
75
84.0
2019 F1 2019
91
101.6
91
102.1
2019 GreedFall
83
92.8
83
93.1
2019 Borderlands 3
61
68.4
61
68.8
2019 Call of Duty Modern Warfare
108
120.1
108
120.5
2019 Red Dead Redemption 2
47
52.9
47
53.0
2019 Need For Speed: Heat
70
78.1
70
78.4
2018 Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
81
90.9
82
91.2
2018 Assassin's Creed Odyssey
46
51.5
46
51.7
2018 Final Fantasy XV
88
98.1
88
98.6
2018 Shadow of the Tomb Raider
70
78.7
71
79.1
2018 Forza Horizon 4
97
108.4
97
108.8
2018 Fallout 76
94
104.8
94
105.2
2018 Hitman 2
76
84.7
76
85.0
2018 Just Cause 4
74
82.3
74
82.6
2018 Monster Hunter: World
78
87.7
79
88.2
2018 Strange Brigade
112
125.5
113
126.1
2018 Battlefield V
93
104.1
94
104.5
2017 Assassin's Creed Origins
66
74.0
66
74.4
2017 Destiny 2
131
146.1
132
146.7
2017 PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
76
84.7
76
85.0
2017 Fortnite Battle Royale
98
109.0
98
109.6
2017 Need For Speed: Payback
97
108.8
98
109.3
2017 For Honor
124
138.9
125
139.4
2017 Project CARS 2
93
103.7
93
104.1
2017 Forza Motorsport 7
109
122.0
110
122.4
2016 Ashes of the Singularity
64
71.7
64
72.0
2016 Hitman
92
102.3
92
102.8
2016 Rise of the Tomb Raider
105
117.7
106
118.2
2016 The Division
82
91.3
82
91.6
2016 Overwatch
142
158.4
143
158.9
2016 Dishonored 2
71
79.1
71
79.6
2015 DiRT Rally
135
150.9
136
151.4
2015 Grand Theft Auto V
88
97.8
88
98.3
2015 The Witcher 3
82
91.2
82
91.5
2015 Total War: Attila
76
84.7
76
85.0
2015 Rocket League
304
337.8
305
339.2
2015 Need For Speed
104
116.0
104
116.4
2015 Project CARS
100
111.8
101
112.3
2015 Rainbow Six Siege
168
187.7
169
188.5
2014 Dragon Age: Inquisition
112
125.2
113
125.8
2014 GRID Autosport
156
173.7
157
174.5
2014 Shadow of Mordor
122
136.0
122
136.6
2014 The Talos Principle
127
141.3
127
141.9
2014 Thief
109
121.2
109
121.6
2013 Bioshock Infinite
161
179.4
162
180.1
2013 Company of Heroes 2
90
100.2
90
100.5
2013 Crysis 3
95
105.7
95
106.1
2013 GRID 2
174
194.0
175
194.8
2013 Metro: Last Light
113
126.4
114
126.9
2013 Total War: Rome 2
118
131.6
118
132.2
2013 Battlefield 4
118
132.0
119
132.6
2012 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
223
247.8
223
248.8
2009 League of Legends
372
414.0
374
415.6
2008 Crysis: Warhead
109
121.3
109
121.7

2560x1440

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
Year Game Frames Per Second
2022 Elden Ring
41
52.2
41
52.4
2022 God of War
42
53.7
43
53.8
2022 Overwatch 2
73
91.8
73
91.9
2021 Forza Horizon 5
43
54.3
43
54.5
2021 Halo Infinite
35
44.7
35
44.7
2021 Battlefield 2042
46
58.4
46
58.6
2020 Assassin's Creed Valhalla
36
45.4
36
45.4
2020 Microsoft Flight Simulator
25
31.6
25
31.8
2020 Valorant
122
153.2
122
153.4
2020 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
53
66.5
53
66.7
2020 Death Stranding
59
74.7
59
74.8
2020 Marvel's Avengers
38
47.7
38
47.7
2020 Godfall
51
64.2
51
64.2
2020 Cyberpunk 2077
38
48.4
38
48.4
2019 Apex Legends
65
82.5
66
82.8
2019 Anthem
47
59.7
47
59.9
2019 Far Cry New Dawn
65
81.4
65
81.6
2019 Resident Evil 2
68
85.2
68
85.3
2019 Metro Exodus
38
47.9
38
47.9
2019 World War Z
63
79.6
63
79.7
2019 Gears of War 5
50
63.1
50
63.1
2019 F1 2019
60
75.1
60
75.3
2019 GreedFall
55
69.8
56
70.0
2019 Borderlands 3
40
50.2
40
50.4
2019 Call of Duty Modern Warfare
72
90.1
72
90.3
2019 Red Dead Redemption 2
35
44.2
35
44.2
2019 Need For Speed: Heat
50
63.1
50
63.1
2018 Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
43
54.5
43
54.7
2018 Assassin's Creed Odyssey
39
49.6
39
49.7
2018 Final Fantasy XV
57
72.0
57
72.2
2018 Shadow of the Tomb Raider
43
54.5
43
54.7
2018 Forza Horizon 4
74
93.3
74
93.4
2018 Fallout 76
57
72.0
57
72.2
2018 Hitman 2
46
57.8
46
57.9
2018 Just Cause 4
50
63.2
50
63.2
2018 Monster Hunter: World
51
64.2
51
64.2
2018 Strange Brigade
73
91.8
73
91.9
2018 Battlefield V
67
84.3
67
84.4
2017 Assassin's Creed Origins
40
51.2
41
51.4
2017 Destiny 2
101
127.5
102
127.7
2017 PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
53
67.3
53
67.5
2017 Fortnite Battle Royale
60
75.1
60
75.3
2017 Need For Speed: Payback
65
81.7
65
81.9
2017 For Honor
69
87.3
69
87.4
2017 Project CARS 2
61
76.4
61
76.5
2017 Forza Motorsport 7
88
111.1
89
111.3
2016 Ashes of the Singularity
50
63.4
50
63.4
2016 Hitman
61
77.0
61
77.1
2016 Rise of the Tomb Raider
67
84.9
68
85.0
2016 The Division
55
69.2
55
69.4
2016 Overwatch
91
114.3
91
114.6
2016 Dishonored 2
54
68.6
55
68.8
2015 DiRT Rally
86
107.7
86
107.8
2015 Grand Theft Auto V
55
69.2
55
69.4
2015 The Witcher 3
56
70.0
56
70.2
2015 Total War: Attila
46
58.2
46
58.4
2015 Rocket League
133
166.5
133
166.8
2015 Need For Speed
74
92.5
74
92.7
2015 Project CARS
70
88.3
70
88.5
2015 Rainbow Six Siege
103
129.3
103
129.5
2014 Dragon Age: Inquisition
70
88.5
70
88.6
2014 GRID Autosport
107
134.8
108
135.1
2014 Shadow of Mordor
69
87.0
69
87.1
2014 The Talos Principle
83
104.4
83
104.5
2014 Thief
67
84.6
67
84.7
2013 Bioshock Infinite
98
123.1
98
123.4
2013 Company of Heroes 2
54
68.1
54
68.3
2013 Crysis 3
55
68.9
55
69.1
2013 GRID 2
115
143.9
115
144.2
2013 Metro: Last Light
83
104.4
83
104.5
2013 Total War: Rome 2
69
86.8
69
87.0
2013 Battlefield 4
71
89.5
71
89.7
2012 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
169
211.8
169
212.3
2009 League of Legends
203
254.8
204
255.3
2008 Crysis: Warhead
65
81.6
65
81.7

3440x1440

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
Year Game Frames Per Second
2019 Apex Legends
54
72.0
54
72.0
2019 Anthem
38
50.6
38
50.6
2019 Far Cry New Dawn
52
68.6
52
68.8
2019 Resident Evil 2
53
70.2
53
70.2
2019 Metro Exodus
32
42.3
32
42.5
2019 World War Z
52
68.6
52
68.8
2019 Gears of War 5
42
56.0
42
56.1
2019 F1 2019
50
66.9
50
67.0
2019 GreedFall
41
54.7
41
54.8
2019 Borderlands 3
31
41.8
31
42.0
2019 Call of Duty Modern Warfare
59
78.7
59
78.8
2019 Red Dead Redemption 2
29
39.2
29
39.4
2019 Need For Speed: Heat
42
56.0
42
56.1
2018 Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
44
58.6
44
58.7
2018 Assassin's Creed Odyssey
34
45.5
34
45.5
2018 Final Fantasy XV
47
62.9
47
63.1
2018 Shadow of the Tomb Raider
34
45.5
34
45.5
2018 Forza Horizon 4
64
84.4
64
84.6
2018 Fallout 76
46
61.1
46
61.3
2018 Hitman 2
37
49.9
37
49.9
2018 Just Cause 4
40
52.7
40
52.7
2018 Monster Hunter: World
39
52.4
39
52.4
2018 Strange Brigade
59
77.9
59
78.1
2018 Battlefield V
53
70.5
53
70.5
2017 Assassin's Creed Origins
33
43.7
33
43.8
2017 Destiny 2
80
105.7
80
105.8
2017 PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
43
57.8
44
57.9
2017 Fortnite Battle Royale
48
63.2
48
63.4
2017 Need For Speed: Payback
57
75.1
57
75.3
2017 For Honor
54
72.2
54
72.2
2017 Project CARS 2
57
75.1
57
75.3
2017 Forza Motorsport 7
83
109.4
83
109.7
2016 Overwatch
72
95.8
72
95.9
2016 Dishonored 2
50
66.1
50
66.2
2015 Rocket League
103
135.6
103
135.9
2015 Need For Speed
63
83.7
63
83.8
2015 Project CARS
61
81.4
61
81.6
2015 Rainbow Six Siege
79
105.0
79
105.1
2014 Thief
63
83.8
63
84.0
2013 Bioshock Infinite
85
111.8
85
112.1
2013 GRID 2
92
121.7
92
121.9
2013 Total War: Rome 2
65
86.5
65
86.7
2012 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
163
214.5
163
215.0
2009 League of Legends
152
200.5
152
200.8
2008 Crysis: Warhead
64
84.7
64
84.9

3840x2160

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
Year Game Frames Per Second
2022 Elden Ring
22
32.0
22
32.0
2022 God of War
30
43.0
30
43.2
2022 Overwatch 2
50
71.9
50
72.0
2021 Forza Horizon 5
30
43.3
30
43.5
2021 Halo Infinite
22
32.2
22
32.2
2021 Battlefield 2042
27
39.7
27
39.9
2020 Assassin's Creed Valhalla
22
32.2
22
32.2
2020 Microsoft Flight Simulator
17
25.6
17
25.6
2020 Valorant
95
136.0
95
136.3
2020 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
26
38.5
27
38.7
2020 Death Stranding
33
48.4
33
48.6
2020 Marvel's Avengers
18
27.1
18
27.1
2020 Godfall
23
33.6
23
33.6
2020 Cyberpunk 2077
23
33.4
23
33.4
2019 Apex Legends
37
52.9
37
52.9
2019 Anthem
24
35.0
24
35.0
2019 Far Cry New Dawn
32
47.1
33
47.2
2019 Resident Evil 2
32
46.0
32
46.2
2019 Metro Exodus
22
31.8
22
31.8
2019 World War Z
34
49.4
34
49.4
2019 Gears of War 5
29
42.1
29
42.3
2019 F1 2019
35
50.7
35
50.7
2019 GreedFall
22
32.2
22
32.2
2019 Borderlands 3
19
28.4
19
28.4
2019 Call of Duty Modern Warfare
40
57.8
40
57.8
2019 Red Dead Redemption 2
20
29.7
20
29.7
2019 Need For Speed: Heat
29
42.1
29
42.3
2018 Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
39
56.1
39
56.1
2018 Assassin's Creed Odyssey
25
35.9
25
35.9
2018 Final Fantasy XV
32
46.2
32
46.4
2018 Shadow of the Tomb Raider
21
30.7
21
30.7
2018 Forza Horizon 4
45
65.6
46
65.8
2018 Fallout 76
29
42.8
30
43.0
2018 Hitman 2
25
35.9
25
35.9
2018 Just Cause 4
24
35.6
24
35.6
2018 Monster Hunter: World
23
33.8
23
33.8
2018 Strange Brigade
38
54.3
38
54.3
2018 Battlefield V
33
47.7
33
47.9
2017 Assassin's Creed Origins
21
30.7
21
30.7
2017 Destiny 2
49
70.3
49
70.5
2017 PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
28
41.1
28
41.3
2017 Fortnite Battle Royale
30
43.5
30
43.7
2017 Need For Speed: Payback
41
59.5
41
59.5
2017 For Honor
33
47.7
33
47.9
2017 Project CARS 2
45
65.1
45
65.3
2017 Forza Motorsport 7
66
95.5
66
95.6
2016 Overwatch
45
65.1
45
65.3
2016 Dishonored 2
39
56.1
39
56.1
2015 Rocket League
61
87.1
61
87.3
2015 Need For Speed
45
65.1
45
65.3
2015 Project CARS
45
65.1
45
65.3
2015 Rainbow Six Siege
46
66.9
46
67.0
2014 Thief
51
73.7
51
73.9
2013 Bioshock Infinite
61
87.4
61
87.6
2013 GRID 2
59
84.6
59
84.7
2013 Total War: Rome 2
53
76.5
53
76.5
2012 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
135
193.8
135
194.0
2009 League of Legends
82
118.1
82
118.4
2008 Crysis: Warhead
54
78.4
54
78.4
GTX 970 vs GTX 970 with i7-6700K vs i5-7600K at 1080p and high vs high settings
GTX 970 vs GTX 970 with i7-6700K vs i5-7600K at 1440p and high vs high settings
GTX 970 vs GTX 970 with i7-6700K vs i5-7600K at 4K and high vs high settings

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 / i7-6700K

It appears that the GTX 970 is a more capable mid-range card that can play AAA titles at 1080p with 60 frames per second. With regards to max load temperature, the GTX 970 's cooling is excellent at keeping it cool and under control. With current 4096 MB RAM, the GTX 970 can have very few memory-related bottlenecks in more modern games.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 / i5-7600K

It appears that the GTX 970 is a more capable mid-range card that can play AAA titles at 1080p with 60 frames per second. With regards to max load temperature, the GTX 970 's cooling is excellent at keeping it cool and under control. With current 4096 MB RAM, the GTX 970 can have very few memory-related bottlenecks in more modern games.

GTX 970 vs GTX 970 Specifications Comparison

Board Design

GTX 970 GTX 970
Board NumberPG401PG401
Length10.5 inches 267 mm10.5 inches 267 mm
Outputs1x DVI1x HDMI3x DisplayPort1x DVI1x HDMI3x DisplayPort
Power Connectors2x 6-pin2x 6-pin
Slot WidthDual-slotDual-slot
TDP148 W148 W

Clock Speeds

GTX 970 GTX 970
Boost Clock1178 MHz1178 MHz
GPU Clock1050 MHz1050 MHz
Memory Clock1753 MHz 7012 MHz effective1753 MHz 7012 MHz effective

Graphics Card

GTX 970 GTX 970
Bus InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
GenerationGeForce 900GeForce 900
Launch Price329 USD329 USD
ProductionEnd-of-lifeEnd-of-life
Release DateSep 19th, 2014Sep 19th, 2014

Graphics Features

GTX 970 GTX 970
CUDA5.25.2
DirectX12.0 (12_1)12.0 (12_1)
OpenCL1.21.2
OpenGL4.64.6
Shader Model6.16.1
Vulkan1.1.821.1.82

Graphics Processor

GTX 970 GTX 970
ArchitectureMaxwell 2.0Maxwell 2.0
Die Size398 mm²398 mm²
GPU NameGM204GM204
GPU VariantGM204-200-A1GM204-200-A1
Process Size28 nm28 nm
Transistors5,200 million5,200 million

Memory

GTX 970 GTX 970
Bandwidth224.4 GB/s224.4 GB/s
Memory Bus256 bit256 bit
Memory Size4096 MB4096 MB
Memory TypeGDDR5GDDR5

Render Config

GTX 970 GTX 970
ROPs5656
SMM Count1313
Shading Units16641664
TMUs104104

Theoretical Performance

GTX 970 GTX 970
FP32 (float) performance3,920 GFLOPS3,920 GFLOPS
FP64 (double) performance122.5 GFLOPS (1:32)122.5 GFLOPS (1:32)
Pixel Rate65.97 GPixel/s65.97 GPixel/s
Texture Rate122.5 GTexel/s122.5 GTexel/s

Discussion and Comments

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