Average Bench: 49.1% (132nd of 713)

Based on 834,238 user benchmarks.  Device: 10DE 13C2 Model: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970

The Nvidia GTX 970 is a game changer in terms of performance per watt and value for money. The GTX 970 is based on Nvidia's ground-breaking Maxwell architecture which delivers considerable clock for clock performance gains over Kepler, its predecessor. Comparing the GTX 970 and 780 Ti shows that the two cards offer comparable performance yet the new GTX 970 costs nearly half as much! Unsurprisingly Nvidia are discontinuing the 780 Ti as it's now largely redundant. These price to performance gains typically occur once or twice a decade and although the new Maxwell architecture will improve down the line with the release of the Ti/Titan versions, at the moment the 970 offers the best value for money on the market by miles. Since this summary was originally written AMD have slashed prices and older Nvidia models (780/780 Ti/770) have also been hugely discounted. See the latest value for money rankings here[Jul '15 GPUPro]

Below average average bench

The Nvidia GTX 970 averaged 50.9% lower than the peak scores attained by the group leaders. This isn't a great result which indicates that there are much faster alternatives on the comparison list.

Strengths

Avg. Locally-deformable PRT (Bat) 60.4fps
Avg. Force Splatted Flocking (Swarm) 53.6fps

Very good consistency

The range of scores (95th - 5th percentile) for the Nvidia GTX 970 is just 10.8%. This is a relatively narrow range which indicates that the Nvidia GTX 970 performs reasonably consistently under varying real world conditions.

Weaknesses

Avg. High dynamic range lighting (Teapot) 70.3fps
Avg. Parallax occlusion mapping (Stones) 61fps

Average Bench

(Based on 834,238 samples)
Min Avg Max
52 Lighting 60.4 67.8
63.6 Reflection 70.3 94.9
53.2 Parallax 61 67.7
49.2% 63.9 fps
Min Avg Max
62.2 MRender 66.6 69.7
54.7 Gravity 61.2 66.5
50.1 Splatting 53.6 58.3
48.8% 60.5 fps
User Benchmarks Bench3D DX93D DX103D DX11
The fastest GPU (mainstream) averages a speed of 100%
CLim: 1630 MHz, MLim: 1865 MHz, Ram: 4GB, Driver: 566.14
Lighting 67.1
Reflection 76.7
Parallax 68.5
55% 70.8 fps
MRender 72.9
Gravity 67.8
Splatting 60.4
54% 67 fps
CLim: 1519 MHz, MLim: 1752 MHz, Ram: 4GB, Driver: 565.90
Lighting 66.7
Reflection 69.6
Parallax 62.7
54% 66.3 fps
MRender 65.8
Gravity 64.3
Splatting 54.9
50% 61.7 fps
CLim: 1506 MHz, MLim: 1752 MHz, Ram: 4GB, Driver: 565.90
Lighting 59.9
Reflection 69.3
Parallax 68.8
49% 66 fps
MRender 66.4
Gravity 61.5
Splatting 54.6
49% 60.8 fps
Sapphire(174B 1366) ≥ 4GB
CLim: 1392 MHz, MLim: 1752 MHz, Ram: 4GB, Driver: 561.09
Lighting 53
Reflection 65.7
Parallax 56.3
43% 58.3 fps
MRender 62.5
Gravity 50.4
Splatting 52.5
45% 55.1 fps
834,238 MORE »

 Market Share (See Leaders)

The number of benchmark samples for this model as a percentage of all 68,769,868 GPUs tested

 Popular Cards (based on 834,238 benchmarks)

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Hardware Id Samples Bench ± SD Model / Price (MSRP ≈ $330 @ launch in Sep '14)
MSI(1462 3160) 26% 50% ± 3%
MSI GTX 970 4GB Gaming
GTX 970 GAMING 4G
Asus(1043 8508) 17% 47% ± 2%
ASUS GTX 970 4GB STRIX OC
STRIX-GTX970-DC20C-4GD5
Gigabyte(1458 367A) 7% 53% ± 2%
Gigabyte GTX 970 4GB G1 Gaming
GV-N970G1 GAMING-4GD
AmazonUS $3404 years
EVGA(3842 2974) 6% 49% ± 2%
EVGA GTX 970 4GB Super Clocked ACX 2.0
04G-P4-2974-KR
AmazonUS $4605 years
Zotac(19DA 1366) 5% 46% ± 1%
Zotac GTX 970 4GB Graphics Card
ZT-90101-10P
EVGA(3842 3975) 3% 52% ± 2%
EVGA GTX 970 4GB SSC ACX 2.0+
04G-P4-3975-KR
Nvidia(10DE 1131) 3% 51% ± 3%
Gigabyte(1458 3683) 3% 52% ± 1%
Gigabyte GTX 970 4GB OC Windforce
GV-N970WF3OC-4GD
Asus(1043 8664) 2% 48% ± 3%
MSI(1462 3161) 2% 50% ± 2%
Nvidia(10DE 13C2) 2% 48% ± 3%
Gigabyte(1458 366A) 2% 54% ± 1%
Asus(1043 853F) 2% 46% ± 1%
Asus GTX 970 4GB Turbo OC
TURBO-GTX970-OC-4GD5
EbayUS $2008 months
MSI(1462 3171) 1% 46% ± 1%
EVGA(3842 2978) 1% 50% ± 1%
Gainward(10B0 13C2) 1% 47% ± 3%
Nvidia(10DE 1116) 1% 48% ± 1%
EVGA(3842 2972) 1% 47% ± 4%
EVGA(3842 3978) 1% 53% ± 0%
EVGA GTX 970 4GB FTW+ GAMING ACX 2.0+ w/BP
04G-P4-3978-KR
EbayUS $3652 years
AmazonUS $4706 years
EVGA(3842 3979) 1% 48% ± 2%
Asus(1043 8509) 1% 45% ± 2%
Gigabyte(1458 367B) 1% 53% ± 3%
Gigabyte(1458 36BC) 1% 42% ± 1%
PNY(196E 1131) 1% 45% ± 3%
EVGA(3842 1972) 1% 49% ± 2%
Gigabyte(1458 3679) 1% 43% ± 0%
EVGA(3842 1970) 0% 48% ± 0%
Zotac(19DA 2370) 0% 50% ± 2%
Asus(1043 852E) 0% 45% ± 2%
Sapphire(174B 1366) 0% 45% ± 0%
Gigabyte(1458 3670) 0% 50% ± 1%
Device(1B0A 90F0) 0% 46% ± 1%
EVGA(3842 3973) 0% 46% ± 6%
EVGA(3842 0974) 0% 51% ± 0%
Gigabyte(1458 3684) 0% 48% ± 6%
Zotac(19DA 1368) 0% 51% ± 1%
Device(0000 0000) 0% 48% ± 1%
Elitegroup(1019 1029) 0% 46% ± 2%
Dell(1028 1131) 0% 45% ± 1%
Asus(1043 851A) 0% 49% ± 0%
Gigabyte(1458 3682) 0% 42% ± 0%
Zotac(19DA 2372) 0% 50% ± 0%
Gigabyte(1458 36E1) 0% 53% ± 0%
Gigabyte(1458 366F) 0% 56% ± 0%
Gigabyte(1458 368A) 0% 41% ± 0%
Asus(1043 850E) 0% 46% ± 0%
EVGA(3842 1976) 0% 51% ± 0%
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Typical GTX 970 Builds (Compare 7,150 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 42%
Speed boat
Desktop
Desktop 84%
Aircraft carrier
Workstation
Workstation 36%
Jet ski

Motherboard: MSI Z97 GAMING 5 (MS-7917)

EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 60% - Above average Total price: $648

Popular GTX 970 compatible motherboards:

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Graphics Card Rankings (Price vs Performance) November 2024 GPU Rankings

We calculate effective 3D speed which estimates gaming performance for the top 12 games. Effective speed is adjusted by current prices to yield value for money. Our figures are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top GPUs. [GPUPro]

Group Test Results

  • Best user rated - User sentiment trumps benchmarks for this comparison.
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  • Fastest real world speed - Real World Speed measures performance for typical consumers.

 Comments

Added 10 years ago.

Terrible (edit your comment) Add link

16 days ago.

Amazing for modern day gaming on a tiny budget, especially for coming out a decade ago

Comment 

Just picked mine up yesterday, and it's a significantly bigger improvement over my old 770 (2GB) than I expected. Running Elite:Dangerous at locked-on 60fps at 5760x1080 high settings, and can even run some ultra settings at that resolution and maintain 30+fps. I am thinking of picking up a second one to SLI them so I can go full-bore Ultra, but I probably need to upgrade my processor more.—Mar '15

Comment 

I moved from a GTX 700 series card to this card along with a new i5 and SSD HD. the 970 has exceeded all my expectations playing LOL, WOW, Steam games at full HD with 80-270FPS. I found the price/performance to be amazing compared to other cards.—Jun '15

Comment 

plays fallout 4 on ultra settings, with no graphic back ground popping! its awesome, just make sure your pc tower is has enough room and make sure you have power supply above 500W —Nov '15

Comment 

Love this card. Mostly for the value. Could have gotten something better but for the price its unbeatable.—Mar '16


Good

17 days ago.

i had one and it could load the baldurs gate act 3 at 30fps its and absolute unit

Comment 

Despite the whole 3.5GB vs 4GB issue, I have yet to find a problem with my 970. It runs GTA V very well, and runs most games at a pretty flawless 60fps or higher on great settings. Can highly recommend, although it is worth noting that today there are better performers for the same price. —Sep '15


Excellent

26 days ago.

Been running for almost 10 years, never an issue, but becoming limited in 2023.

Comment 

The GTX 970 is great GPU that can handle even the most recent games with ease. It also has a has very low TDP therefore producing little heat and is amazingly quiet.—May '15


Good

2 months ago.

way better than gtx 950. If 950 gives 65 fps in GTA 5 , the gtx 970 gives around 90 to 120. But the 960 and 950 r budget beasts


Excellent

14 months ago.

Comment 

Excellent. Low TDP and good price. Runs easily GTA V at 1080p and ultra settings.—Aug '15


Excellent

10 months ago.

Comment 

Picked this up after my old 7850 died. Exceeded my expectations. I was even able to play GTA V and BF4 maxed out with 4xMSAA with 60+ FPS. Would recommend to anyone looking for a mid-high gaming card.—Jan '16


Good

6 months ago.

Epic performace at second hand low price, totaly recomended


Average

20 months ago.

not good, gtx 980 it's a much better card for the same price used.


Good

2 months ago.

its has good performance its ok


Poor

5 months ago.

its so cheap and somehow better than 1050ti and so close to 1060 3gb vram


Good

1 month ago.

very good gpu, i haven't had any problems with it and it pairs well with my cpu.it also runs my favourite games perfectly


Good

13 months ago.

Legendary GPU, budget friendly in 2023, still doing its job.


Excellent

2 years ago.

Alta grafica papá. me juego a todos los jueguitos en alto


Good

1 day ago.

This card works in 2022, god dam they made this thing to last. Best buy i ever made. New cards win in performance ofc, but these new card prices are just killing the market for me.


Terrible

1 month ago.

owned it for years now, still works perfectly


Liked

5 months ago.

Info  www.userbenchmark.com/...

Just tried it with nothing more than 150Mhz extra core clock, saw it boost to 1577, and stayed at 53c. Will try and c how it do in games, as I just got it, so will c how stable it runs, would like to have it up at 1600Mhz :-) No OV, No extra mem clock. Funk606

Comment 

Bought mine some days ago, just got it 2 day, installed it, tried first with 100Mhz extra, as I saw Jay2Cent run it at 1500Mhz without any problems, mine took the 100 while staying at 53c, dropped 50Mhz on top, stayed at 53c, and ran test without any problems, but one thing is benchmark's, another games, will c how it do, so fare no OV or MEM OC. Funk606 Ok, so tried to run it at 1500Mhz, & it got zero problems with staying at that OC, did not touch mem. or voltage, did just put little extra on core Clock, run games smooth, but sure, jumped the gun a bit, now the 1080-1070 r just around the corner, but the offer was so cheap, and with the new WinX, where u can mix & match GPU's as u like, can always use it as second GPU, or for another PC, cant say I seen any GPU OC that much out of the box!!—May '16


Excellent

12 months ago.

userbenchmark has the big gaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee


Excellent

9 years ago.


Average

5 years ago.

Friends still buy this.


Good

5 years ago.

Just good card.


Good

4 years ago.

This card can easly handle 1080p gaming at high to even ultra settings.


Excellent

4 years ago.

This is my first ever GPU, that I bought for $76 two weeks ago! Was going to go for the rx 570 but I saw this! It's faster than the rx 570 and cheaper! I am quite pleased with this card.


Poor

7 years ago.

I give this card a 3.5/4


Excellent

9 years ago.

Very nice Card...


Excellent

3 years ago.

Gamer!!!


Excellent

18 months ago.

Very good performance considering the age of the card ! and the price.


Good

5 years ago.

Do NOT buy this GPU brand new in 2019, you are wasting a lot of money. There are plenty of these on the used market that you can get for $70-$80. They still solid GPU's for 2019, they are equal to a GTX 1060 3GB/6GB.


Excellent

7 years ago.

Price to performance.


Excellent

8 years ago.

EVGA GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0+ It's a monster. Newest games 1080p on ultra 60fps or more. 1440p 45fps or more. Best value hands down.


Very good

8 years ago.

If you have the space to fit it, It's a totally recomended buy! Have run all my games with little to no trouble so far. Witcher 3, GTA V, No man's sky, you name it, it runs. Can it run crysis? Of course. Why the 8? It's XBOX HUGE, but it's kind of spected in this kind of cards.


Poor

7 years ago.

Just 3,5 GB VRAM.


Poor

5 years ago.

it's not bad for the value


Excellent

3 years ago.

Still good when no money for modern GPU :(


Good

3 years ago.

A good GTX 1060 3GB or RX 580 4GB alternative, if you can get past that only the first 3.5GB of this card's VRAM is usable.


Good

8 years ago.

A very good gpu, all in ultra, even Batman Arkham Knight.


Outstanding

8 years ago.

Great card, awesome responsive gameplay....can't complain one bit. I tried radeon but returned in less than a week to go back to Nvidia!


Excellent

7 years ago.

Top model for Nvidia on this one. A best seller for good reasons !


Good

4 years ago.

mmmh, a few years befor nice FHD fps; out of stock... low noise; RAM ok... tools ok but afterburner are the best today too!


Excellent

4 years ago.

basically i have the GTX 970 Gigabyte MINI-ITX OC so nothing wow i gimped over a 1 year on purpose through bios because the damn thing have the black screen issue randomly in games so why 5 stars? when it works it's a beast but took so much time to fix the issue maybe some others still struggle with this issue i feel the urge to help poor fellows. *undervolt to 1.050v from 1.212v* *set to both core clock and boost clock to 1177.5* * set memory clock to 3061* now if everything it's fixed after few heavy game you can start to overclock LOL *MSI AFTER BURNER i have +100 core clock +940 Memory Clock try lower for memory, i have ASIC 74 AND SAMSUNG MEMORY* *final result: CORE CLOCK 1278mhz without any downclocks ; Memory Clock 8000MHZ ***PS: CHANGE THERMAL PASTE it's a 6 year old graphic card mine went from 74c to 60c with Arctic AC MX-4 so a cheap paste


Good

8 years ago.

MSI Gaming


Very good

8 years ago.

Decent bang for the buck gpu.


Excellent

6 years ago.

To me this is a perfect card. Right price (Especially today on ebay), great performance, and it doesn't run terribly hot. For what I use it for, it is downright perfect. I don't play at crazy resolutions though, just 1080p so take that as you will.


Excellent

6 years ago.

It's dying, but still getting 60fps in SWBFII 1080p high with a crappy FX-6300


Excellent

6 years ago.

Terrific value, excellent for gaming at 1080p 60Hz.


Good

4 years ago.

Still does a great job at 1080p gaming in 2020. And you can always get some extra frames by overclocking.


Very good

8 years ago.

The VRAM fiasco was a disappointment, but it's quite capable and a great affordable option for 1080p gaming.


Outstanding

8 years ago.

Excellent graphics card for the price. Performance is better than the GTX 980.


Excellent

6 years ago.

served extremely well for the past 3 years


Good

5 years ago.

Had mine for a few years. Pretty good.


Excellent

2 years ago.

Used this card for about 7 years, even today it keeps up with some high-demand games.


Excellent

23 months ago.

Made my 2014 pc gaming performance faster.


Excellent

17 months ago.

Gtx 970 is still an absolute beast amongst the mid-range graphic cards today, just love it!!


Excellent

9 years ago.

Solid performer in SLI and I don't really ever get of 3gb of vram used so the issue after 3.5gb isn't a issue at all for me.


Good

9 years ago.

Thanx for all the info


Very good

9 years ago.

One of the best cards out there for the price, it's a massive jump from my AMD R7 260X. Obviously the 980 is better but the extra $100 doesn't really justify the jump. To future proof the 970 even more, another one of these in SLI would do the trick for sure.


Excellent

8 years ago.

Very Good GPU For 1080P Gaming


Excellent

4 years ago.

what to say anymore. If price performance and watt/performance ratio is perfect . . . A good thing to buy! for Full-Hd


Excellent

5 years ago.

Great performance especially for it's price and the overclockablilty is god like. Was averaging an extra 10-15 fps when overclocked. Will handle nearly all games on ultra.


Excellent

4 years ago.

Best graphic card I have ever had. 5 years of service, always 1080p MAX settings. Great!


Your
opinion?
713 Graphics Cards (Compared) Thousands of user benchmarks compiled into one comparison list

See how consistently different GPUs perform with varying real world conditions. The charts also illustrate overall performance, popularity and rank.

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