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MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£45
  • Avg. price in US: ~$50
  • VRAM: 4 GB
  • Memory bus width: 256 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 145 W

MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming review. Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among graphics cards and if it is worth buying.

4.6

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the graphics card's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best graphics cards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

4.1

Technical Score

10.0%

9.4

User score

Poor
4.1

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

2.4

Performance

24.0%

3.8

Memory

12.0%

8.7

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.1

Platform & Features

5.0%

5.8

Design

4.0%

5.8

Connectivity & Media

Poor
9.4

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

9.1

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
(832)
amazon
4.5
(187)
amazon
4.2
(13)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(889)
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
(194)
Amazon_logo.png
4.2
(12)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Exceptional
  • 6.4
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 5.7
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.4
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.1
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 5.7
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

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Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming 4G is a high-performance graphics card built on NVIDIA's 28nm Maxwell architecture, featuring 1,664 CUDA cores and a core boost clock of 1,279 MHz in OC Mode. It is equipped with 4GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit interface, providing a memory speed of 7,010 MHz and supporting DirectX 12 for modern gaming stability. Main characteristics include the advanced Twin Frozr V cooling system with dual 10cm Torx fans and Zero Frozr technology, which allows the fans to stop spinning during low-load periods for silent operation. Key pros are its excellent power efficiency with a 145W TDP, factory-overclocked performance, and exceptionally quiet acoustic profile under load. However, a notable con is the controversial memory configuration where only 3.5GB of the VRAM operates at full speed, potentially leading to performance stutters in extremely high-memory scenarios.

Technical Specifications of MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

2.4

Performance

24.0%

3.8

Memory

12.0%

8.7

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.1

Platform & Features

5.0%

5.8

Design

4.0%

5.8

Connectivity & Media

4.1
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a technical score of 4.12 points, which is lower than that of 88.7% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

9.1

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
(832)
amazon
4.5
(187)
amazon
4.2
(13)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(889)
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
(194)
Amazon_logo.png
4.2
(12)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

9.4
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a user score of 9.38 points, which is higher than that of 88.7% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
10
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 77.9% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

4.6

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

6.3
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.3 points, which is lower than 71.7% of products in this category.
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Time Spy, a synthetic DirectX 12 test often used as a quick gaming-performance reference.
When it matters: When you need a fast rough performance sort before digging into game-specific reviews and frame-rate data.

Importance: LOW

?
3DMark Port Royal score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Port Royal, a synthetic test focused on ray tracing performance.
When it matters: When ray tracing matters in the games you actually play and you want one quick way to separate stronger and weaker RT cards.

Importance: LOW

N/A
PassMark (G3D) result
What it is: Overall GPU performance score in PassMark G3D benchmark
When it matters: When you need one broad score to sort cards into rough performance tiers.

Importance: LOW

?
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
What it is: PassMark score for DirectCompute performance tests
When it matters: When compute workloads matter alongside gaming performance.

Importance: LOW

4,080 points
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming scores 4080 points in PassMark DirectCompute, which is lower than 53.2% of graphics cards and equal to 1.1% of graphics cards.
Floating-point performance
What it is: Theoretical floating-point compute performance of the GPU.
When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

Importance: LOW

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VRAM
What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

Importance: HIGH

4 GB
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has 4 GB of VRAM, which is less than 88% of graphics cards and equal to 6% of graphics cards.
Memory type
What it is: Type of graphics memory used (GDDR6, HBM2e, etc.)
When it matters: When memory technology is part of the buying decision because it affects bandwidth class, power use, and product positioning.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
GDDR version
What it is: Generation of GDDR memory used by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you want to separate older memory generations from newer ones before comparing bandwidth, power behavior, and market tier.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming uses GDDR5 memory, which is older than on 85% of graphics cards and equal to 13.2% of graphics cards.
Memory bus width
What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

Importance: HIGH

256 bit
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming uses a 256 bit memory bus, which is wider than that of 49.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 36.1% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

Importance: HIGH

224.4 GB/s
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming reaches 224.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 83.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.2% of graphics cards.
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PCI Express (PCIe) version
What it is: Version of PCI Express interface supported
When it matters: When you are pairing the card with an older motherboard and want to avoid leaving bandwidth or future compatibility on the table.

Importance: LOW

3.0
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming supports PCIe 3.0, which is older than on 77.6% of graphics cards and equal to 20.3% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
What it is: Number of PCI Express lanes used for communication
When it matters: When limited lane width could bottleneck the card in some systems.

Importance: LOW

x16
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming uses x16 PCIe lanes, which is more than 31.5% of graphics cards and equal to 68.6% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
What it is: Highest supported DirectX API version
When it matters: When you play newer Windows games that depend on the latest graphics features.

Importance: LOW

12.1
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming supports DirectX 12.1, which is older than on 87.7% of graphics cards and equal to 4.9% of graphics cards.
Vulkan version
What it is: Highest supported Vulkan API version
When it matters: When modern games, emulators, or creative apps lean on Vulkan support.

Importance: LOW

?
OpenGL version
What it is: Highest supported OpenGL API version
When it matters: When older games or pro apps still depend on OpenGL compatibility.

Importance: LOW

4.6
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 4.8% of graphics cards and equal to 95.2% of graphics cards.
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Max displays supported
What it is: Total number of external displays supported simultaneously
When it matters: When you run a multi-monitor desk for sim racing, trading, or editing.

Importance: LOW

4
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming supports up to 4 displays, which is more than 7.8% of graphics cards and equal to 89.2% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
What it is: Maximum supported digital display resolution
When it matters: When you plan to drive 4K or 8K panels at their native resolution.

Importance: LOW

?
DisplayPort outputs
What it is: Number of DisplayPort video outputs
When it matters: When your setup needs several high-refresh monitors without adapters.

Importance: LOW

1
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming offers 1 DisplayPort outputs, which is fewer than 89.5% of graphics cards and equal to 8.6% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
What it is: Version of DisplayPort standard supported
When it matters: When your monitor setup depends on newer DisplayPort features for higher refresh rates, higher resolution, or better cable flexibility.

Importance: LOW

?
DisplayPort link rates
What it is: Supported data link rates for DisplayPort connections
When it matters: When you are pushing high resolution and refresh rate over DisplayPort.

Importance: LOW

5.4 Gbps
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming supports DisplayPort link rates up to 5.4 Gbps, which is slower than on 90.9% of graphics cards and equal to 8% of graphics cards.
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Thermal Design Power (TDP)
What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

Importance: MEDIUM

145 W
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a TDP of 145 W, which is lower than that of 75.7% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.8% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
What it is: Peak power draw of the graphics card under maximum load.
When it matters: When transient-heavy gaming loads could stress your power supply.

Importance: LOW

?
Recommended PSU wattage
What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

Importance: LOW

500 W
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming recommends a 500 W PSU, which is lower than that of 76.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 9.6% of graphics cards.
Board power limit
What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

Importance: LOW

220 W
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a board power limit of 220 W, which is lower than that of 47.8% of graphics cards and equal to that of 3.7% of graphics cards.
PCIe power spec
What it is: PCIe power delivery specification followed
When it matters: When you are checking whether the slot and external cables match the card's intended power-delivery standard.

Importance: LOW

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Size
What it is: Physical size of the GPU card
When it matters: When you need the card to fit a compact case without blocking nearby hardware.

Importance: LOW

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Length
What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

Importance: LOW

269 mm
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming is 269 mm long, which is shorter than 58.1% of graphics cards and equal in length to 0.7% of graphics cards.
Height
What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

Importance: LOW

141 mm
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming is 141 mm tall, which is taller than 83.1% of graphics cards and equal in height to 1% of graphics cards.
Slot width
What it is: Number of PCIe slots occupied by the card
When it matters: When you need room for another PCIe card or better airflow under the GPU.

Importance: LOW

2 slot/s
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming occupies 2 slot/s, which is slimmer than 49.2% of graphics cards and equal in width to 47.3% of graphics cards.
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the graphics card
When it matters: When sag, bracket support, or shipping stress matters in your build.

Importance: LOW

845 g
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming weighs 845 g, which is lighter than 66% of graphics cards and equal in weight to 0.3% of graphics cards.
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MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming vs the average graphics card

  • 4.01x faster VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (7,010 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
    What it is: Speed at which the GPU memory operates
    When it matters: When you want more context on how quickly the card's VRAM can move data.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (7,010 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.7010 MHz vs 1750 MHz
  • 23.1% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
    What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
    When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.500 W vs 650 W
  • 32.6% lower TDP
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (145 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
    When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (145 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.145 W vs 215 W
  • 2 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
    What it is: Number of DVI display outputs available
    When it matters: When you still use an older monitor that depends on DVI.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.2 vs 0
  • 11.78x cheaper
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming is cheaper than the average graphics card (£45 vs £530).
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming is cheaper than the average graphics card (£45 vs £530).£45 vs £530
  • 17.3% higher user score
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a higher user score than the average graphics card (9.38 vs 8.000).
    What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.
    When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a higher user score than the average graphics card (9.38 vs 8.000).9.38 vs 8
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA SLI or AMD CrossFire multi-GPU setup
    When it matters: When you still run legacy multi-GPU gaming or rendering workflows.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 4.34x more popular
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming is more popular than the average graphics card (10.00 vs 2.303).
    What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
    When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming is more popular than the average graphics card (10.00 vs 2.303).10 vs 2.3
  • 4.01x faster VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (7,010 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • Supports NVLink
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • 2 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • 32.6% lower TDP
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (145 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 23.1% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.

Total
Overall
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
  • 48.8% lower boost clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,279 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
  • 27 fewer compute units
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (13 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 42% lower base clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,114 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 80 fewer TMUs
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (104 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 61.4% lower pixel rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (63.8 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 8 fewer ROPs
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (56 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 73.7% lower FP64 performance
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower FP64 performance than the average graphics card (0.1 TFLOPS vs 0.4651 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP64 performance of 0.4651 TFLOPS.
  • 2,688 fewer FP32 units
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (1,664 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
  • 8 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 63.1% slower memory speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (7,012 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 49.9% lower memory bandwidth
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (224.4 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • 62.5% smaller L1 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (48 vs 128). The average graphics card has 128 L1 cache.
  • 5.6x larger process node
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
  • 9 older
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,014 vs 2,023).
  • Older PCIe version
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • No XeSS support
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • No DirectStorage support
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming does not support DirectStorage, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DirectX version
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming supports an older DirectX version than the average graphics card (12.1 vs 12 Ultimate).
  • No sampler feedback
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • 30.8% larger GPU die
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a higher GPU die size than the average graphics card (398 mm² vs 304.25 mm²). The average graphics card has a GPU die size of 304.25 mm².
  • 76.3% fewer transistors
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (5,200 million vs 21,900 million). The average graphics card has 21,900 million transistors.
  • 2 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 3). The average graphics card has 3 DisplayPort outputs.
  • No AV1 encoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older HDMI version
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2 vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • Narrower decode codec support
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming supports narrower hardware decode codec support than the average graphics card (H.264 vs H.264/H.265/AV1/VP9).
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
  • 5 °C lower thermal ceiling
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower thermal ceiling than the average graphics card (98 °C vs 93 °C). The average graphics card has a thermal ceiling of 93 °C.
  • 4 dB noisier under load
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a higher load noise level than the average graphics card (39 dB vs 35 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35 dB.
  • 14 mm higher card profile
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming is taller than the average graphics card (141 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
  • 48.8% lower boost clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,279 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
    What it is: Maximum boost frequency the GPU can reach under load
    When it matters: When you want a rough idea of peak advertised frequency, while knowing real sustained clocks still depend on cooling and power limits.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,279 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.1279 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 5.6x larger process node
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
    What it is: Size of the manufacturing process in nanometers
    When it matters: When process node differences may affect power, heat, and overall efficiency.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.28 nm vs 5 nm
  • 27 fewer compute units
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (13 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    What it is: Total number of shader multiprocessors or compute units
    When it matters: When you want a better sense of the GPU's overall parallel hardware resources before relying on game benchmarks alone.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (13 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.13 vs 40
  • 8 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
    When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.4 GB vs 12 GB
  • 42% lower base clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,114 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
    What it is: Base operating frequency of the GPU core under standard conditions
    When it matters: When you want to understand the card's guaranteed starting frequency instead of looking only at optimistic boost figures.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,114 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.1114 MHz vs 1920 MHz
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
    What it is: Total number of cooling fans
    When it matters: When you compare cooler designs and want one more clue about thermal potential.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).2 vs 3
  • 63.1% slower memory speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (7,012 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
    What it is: Effective memory data rate combining clock and bus width
    When it matters: When you compare how quickly each card can push data through its memory subsystem.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (7,012 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.7012 MHz vs 19000 MHz
  • 80 fewer TMUs
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (104 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
    What it is: Total count of texture mapping units on the GPU
    When it matters: When texture-heavy gaming performance matters and you want extra hardware context behind texture-rate claims.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (104 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.104 vs 184
Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design

Graphic comparison of MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
832 Reviews
amazon
4.5
187 Reviews
amazon
4.2
13 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
889 Reviews
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
194 Reviews
Amazon_logo.png
4.2
12 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming?

  • Exceptional Twin Frozr V cooling system that keeps temperatures low even under heavy load
  • Extremely quiet operation with fans that stop spinning completely during idle or low-load tasks
  • High overclocking headroom with stable performance gains reported via MSI Afterburner
  • Excellent 1080p gaming performance, capable of maxing out many older and mid-range titles
  • High build quality using premium components and a striking red-and-black aesthetic
  • Lower power consumption and better energy efficiency compared to previous generations

What customers dislike about MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming?

  • Oversized card dimensions (length and height) can make it difficult to fit in smaller or mid-tower cases
  • Lacks a protective backplate on the standard model, leaving the PCB exposed to dust and sag
  • VRAM controversy where only 3.5GB of the advertised 4GB operates at full high-speed bandwidth
  • Occasional reports of 'coil whine' (high-pitched buzzing) under high frame rate scenarios
  • Significant 'GPU sag' over time due to the weight of the massive heatsink without support
  • Bright LED logo on the shroud can be distracting if not manually disabled via software

Expert reviews

O
overclockersclub.com
17/11/2014
MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G Review - Overclockers Club

The MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G is lauded by Overclockers Club for its exceptional price-to-performance, matching higher-end cards with an efficient 28nm Maxwell architecture, custom PCB, and Twin Frozr V cooling. Key pros include high factory overclocking potential exceeding 1600MHz on air, a striking red-and-black aesthetic, and silent operation. Although listed with no major cons,...Read more

B
bit-tech.net
19/09/2014
Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 Review Roundup: feat. ASUS, EVGA and MSI

The MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming 4G is a dual-slot graphics card featuring a factory-overclocked base clock of 1,140MHz (a 9% gain over stock) and a boost frequency of 1,279MHz, paired with 4GB of memory clocked at a standard 7GHz. Architecturally, it stands out with a robust 6 phase power delivery utilizing MIL-STD-810G "Military Class 4" components—including Hi-c CAPs, Solid CAPs,...Read more

T
techpowerup.com
17/12/2014
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming 4 GB Review TechPowerUp

The TechPowerUp review of the MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4 GB praises the card for its exceptional TwinFrozr V cooler, which enables completely silent operation during low loads, and a factory overclocked 1114 MHz core that outperforms reference models. Utilizing the efficient Maxwell architecture, it delivers impressive performance-per-watt along with modern features like HDMI 2.0 and DSR,...Read more

E
expertreviews.co.uk
23/11/2014
MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G Review - Expert Reviews

The Expert Reviews review of the MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G benchmarks it as a great-value, high-performance graphics card that significantly outclasses its predecessors. Built on Nvidia’s 2nd-generation Maxwell architecture, the card delivers impressive power efficiency, requiring just 145W compared to the 230W of the older GTX 770. It features 4GB of GDDR5 memory and a healthy factory...Read more

G
guru3d.com
19/09/2014
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming OC review - Guru3D

The Guru3D review of the MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming OC highlights a highly recommended, factory-overclocked card featuring the TwinFrozr V cooler, which allows for silent, sub-60°C operation while delivering exceptional 1080p and 1440p gaming performance. Key advantages include high-quality components for excellent overclocking potential, pushing the core over 1.5 GHz, alongside...Read more

K
kitguru.net
19/09/2014
MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4GGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. Review - KitGuru

The KitGuru review by Allan 'Zardon' Campbell heavily praises the MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G for its incredible balance of aesthetics, power efficiency, and price-to-performance value. Built on Nvidia’s highly efficient 28nm Maxwell architecture, the card features 1,664 CUDA cores and 4GB of GDDR5 memory pushing 224 GB/s of bandwidth. The pros highlighted in the review include its...Read more

V
vortez.net
14/12/2014
MSI GTX 970 GAMING 4G Review - Test Setup & Methodology - Vortez

The MSI GTX 970 GAMING 4G graphics card review by Vortez highlights a highly capable Maxwell-based GPU that balances performance, thermal efficiency, and acoustics. Tested on a flagship Intel X99 test bench to eliminate CPU bottlenecks, the card features a factory-overclocked core clock of 1140MHz. It goes head-to-head with top competitors from ASUS and Gigabyte across synthetic...Read more

C
computerbase.de
17/10/2014
Partnerkarten im Test: Elf Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 im Vergleich

Review Overview and Winners This review compares eleven custom Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 graphics cards, highlighting significant variations in cooling design, price, and acoustic performance. The undisputed test winner is the MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming 4G, praised for its flawless cooling system that remains completely silent during desktop use and exceptionally quiet under heavy...Read more

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H
hardwareluxx.de
10/10/2014
MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming - Impressionen (2) - Seite 8

The Hardwareluxx review covers the custom MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming, spotlighting its revised printed circuit board (PCB) layout and premium components. The card relies on a 28nm GM204 Maxwell GPU paired with 4GB of GDDR5 memory across an 8-phase power delivery system (6 phases dedicated to the GPU and 2 for the memory chips). For thermal management, MSI incorporates its signature...Read more

(Translated)Show original
O
overclocking.com
30/12/2014
[OMF] MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G OC

This review of the MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G OC highlights a mid-to-high-end graphics card designed tailored specifically for gamers, using MSI’s signature black and red aesthetic from their Gaming G Series. The card features the brand's upgraded Twin Frozr V cooling system and comes packaged with a streamlined accessory bundle that includes a user guide, quick start manual, driver DVD,...Read more

(Translated)Show original
L
lesnumeriques.com
19/09/2014
Test MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming 4G, une carte quasi muette

The MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming 4G is a highly-rated, factory-overclocked graphics card that earned a 5 out of 5 rating for its excellent balance of performance and cooling. Featuring the GM204-200 GPU, it boasts a stable boost frequency of 1304 MHz, delivering performance that is roughly 6.5% higher than the reference GTX 970 and superior to the Radeon R9 290X. The custom,...Read more

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T
techstation.it
19/09/2014
MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G: Recensione NVIDIA Maxwell

The MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G review explores the performance of NVIDIA's Maxwell architecture utilizing the GM204 chip, which features 1664 CUDA cores and a 4GB GDDR5 video memory setup. The review highlights that this custom graphics card offers factory-overclocked speeds of 1140 MHz base and 1279 MHz boost frequencies, a substantial increase over the reference design. Equipped with...Read more

(Translated)Show original

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