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MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£45
  • Avg. price in US: ~$40
  • VRAM: 4 GB
  • Memory bus width: 256 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 145 W

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

3.7

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%

3.7

Technical Score

10.0%

?

User score

Poor
3.7

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%

3.4

Memory

12.0%

5.0

Power & Cooling

11.0%

5.3

Platform & Features

5.0%

6.0

Design

4.0%

8.0

Connectivity & Media

Poor
?

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%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 3.3
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    1.3

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.3
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    1.3

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.7
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    1.3

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.7
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    1.3

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 3.1
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    1.3

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • No image
No image

Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £45

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 OC is a factory-overclocked graphics card featuring the Maxwell 2.0 architecture with 1,664 CUDA cores, a base clock of 1102 MHz, and a boost clock of 1241 MHz. It is equipped with 4GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 224.4 GB/s, and requires 145W of power via dual 6-pin connectors. Key advantages include its high power efficiency, solid 1080p gaming performance, and robust overclocking potential supported by its Armor 2X or Twin Frozr thermal designs. However, it is famously limited by a segmented memory configuration where only 3.5GB of its VRAM operates at full speed, and it lacks a backplate on several OC models, which can impact aesthetic appeal and structural rigidity.

Technical Specifications of MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC

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%

?

Performance

24.0%

?

Memory

12.0%

?

Power & Cooling

11.0%

?

Platform & Features

5.0%

?

Design

4.0%

?

Connectivity & Media

3.7
MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a technical score of 3.68 points, which is lower than that of 91.9% 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%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
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.
1.0
MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a popularity of 1 points, which is lower than 55.9% 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%

3.7

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

5.6
MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.6 points, which is lower than 89.4% 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

?
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

4.130 TFLOPS
MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC delivers 4.130 TFLOPS floating-point performance, which is lower than that of 92.2% of graphics cards.
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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 OC 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 OC 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 OC 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 OC 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 OC 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 OC 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

?
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

1.4
MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC supports Vulkan 1.4, which is more advanced than on 26.6% of graphics cards and equal to 73.4% of graphics cards.
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 OC 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 OC 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

4096x2160
MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC supports a maximum digital resolution of 4096x2160, which is lower than that of 56.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.4% of graphics cards.
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

3
MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC offers 3 DisplayPort outputs, which is more than 20.9% of graphics cards and equal to 77.3% 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

1.2
MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC supports DisplayPort 1.2, which is older than on 93.6% of graphics cards and equal to 4.8% of graphics cards.
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 OC 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 OC 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

168 W
MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC draws 168 W under peak load, which is lower than 66.6% of graphics cards and equal to 0.1% of graphics cards.
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

?
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

?
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

?
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

?
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

?
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 OC 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

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MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC vs the average graphics card

  • 32.6% lower TDP
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC 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 OC 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
  • 11.78x cheaper
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC is cheaper than the average graphics card (£45 vs £530).
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC is cheaper than the average graphics card (£45 vs £530).£45 vs £530
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 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 OC has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.1 vs 0
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC 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 OC supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 0.2% faster VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,753 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 OC has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,753 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.1753 MHz vs 1750 MHz
  • Supports NVLink
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA NVLink or bridge connection for multi-GPU setups
    When it matters: When a professional or niche multi-GPU workflow needs a bridge connection.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • 0.2% faster VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,753 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • Supports NVLink
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • 32.6% lower TDP
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (145 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.

Total
Overall
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
  • 50.4% lower boost clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,241 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 OC has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (13 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 44% lower base clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,076 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 70.3% lower texture rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (111.9 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 80 fewer TMUs
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (104 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 63.5% lower pixel rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (60.3 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 OC has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (56 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 82.1% lower compute throughput
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a lower compute throughput than the average graphics card (4.1 TFLOPS vs 23.105 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has compute throughput of 23.105 TFLOPS.
  • 2,688 fewer FP32 units
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC 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 OC 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 OC has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (7,010 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 OC 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 OC 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 OC 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 OC was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,014 vs 2,023).
  • Older PCIe version
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • No XeSS support
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • No sampler feedback
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • 30.8% larger GPU die
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC 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 OC has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (5,200 million vs 21,900 million). The average graphics card has 21,900 million transistors.
  • No AV1 encoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDMI version
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2 vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • Older NVDEC generation
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a lower NVDEC generation than the average graphics card (1 vs 6). The average graphics card offers NVDEC generation 6.
  • Lower display resolution
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC supports a lower maximum digital resolution than the average graphics card (4096x2160 vs 7680x4320). The average graphics card supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320.
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
  • 5 °C lower thermal ceiling
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC 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.
  • No backplate
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC does not include a backplate, the average graphics card does.
  • 50.4% lower boost clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,241 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 OC has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,241 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.1241 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 5.6x larger process node
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC 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 OC 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 OC 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 OC 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 OC 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 OC 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
  • 44% lower base clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,076 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 OC has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,076 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.1076 MHz vs 1920 MHz
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC 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 OC has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).2 vs 3
  • 70.3% lower texture rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (111.9 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
    What it is: Number of textured pixels the GPU can process per second
    When it matters: When fast texture handling matters in high-refresh gaming workloads.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (111.9 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.111.9 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s
  • 63.1% slower memory speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (7,010 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 OC has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (7,010 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.7010 MHz vs 19000 MHz
Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design

Graphic comparison of MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC and

Attribute category
Attribute
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Third-party reviews

What customers like about MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC?

  • Excellent value for the price, especially as a budget-friendly 1080p gaming option
  • Outstanding noise levels; the card runs extremely quiet even under high stress
  • The TwinFrozr V cooler allows for passive (silent) operation during idle or light tasks
  • Impressive overclocking headroom, often reaching up to 1.5 GHz boost frequencies
  • High energy efficiency with low power consumption compared to its performance
  • Maintains very cool GPU temperatures thanks to an effective heat pipe and fan design
  • Factory overclocked out of the box for a modest performance boost over reference cards

What customers dislike about MSI GeForce GTX 970 OC?

  • VRAM controversy: While marketed as 4GB, only 3.5GB runs at full speed, which can cause issues in demanding scenarios
  • Lack of a backplate, which some users find disappointing for protection and aesthetics
  • Taller than standard PCI Express cards, which may cause fitment issues in small Mini-ITX cases
  • Limited connectivity with only one DisplayPort, supporting only a single G-Sync monitor
  • Does not support modern NVIDIA features like DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling)
  • Significant performance drop-off when attempting to play modern titles at 1440p or 4K resolutions

Expert reviews

T
technuovo.com
29/10/2024
Can A GTX970 Keep Up With Modern Games In 2024? If you would like to explore reviews for the closely related MSI GamingGo to product viewer dialogue f...

In the review titled “Can A GTX970 Keep Up With Modern Games In 2024?” on TechNuovo, Stef Murphy tests a decade-old MSI GTX 970 paired with a Ryzen 5 5600X and 16GB RAM to see how it handles modern gaming. The card proves surprisingly resilient, delivering excellent performance in lightweight, competitive titles, reaching an impressive 140 FPS in Overwatch 2 and 134–147 FPS in...Read more

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geeks3d.com
09/12/2014
MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GD5T OC Review (** UPDATED **)

The MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GD5T OC is an entry-level graphics card from MSI’s CLASSIC Series that utilizes NVIDIA’s second-generation Maxwell GM204 architecture. Factory overclocked out of the box, it features a base clock of 1101MHz and a boost clock of 1240MHz. Under testing, the card’s ARMOR 2X thermal design—equipped with dual 100mm fans—maintained an impressive idle temperature...Read more

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expertreviews.co.uk
23/11/2014
MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G Review

The Expert Reviews evaluation positions the MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G as a high-value, power-efficient graphics card based on Nvidia's Maxwell architecture. Boasting factory-overclocked speeds—a 1,140MHz base and 1,279MHz boost clock—it consistently beats out the standard reference design and outpaces competing hardware like the similarly priced AMD Radeon R9 290X. During benchmarks,...Read more

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

The MSI GTX 970 Gaming, analyzed by TechPowerUp, is an exceptional card delivering a 3% performance boost over the reference design via factory overclock, aided by the quiet, efficient TwinFrozr V cooler that stops fans during low loads. It boasts superb power efficiency, strong overclocking potential, and an HDMI 2.0 port, though the factory memory speed remains at stock. Key...Read more

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

The MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming OC review on Guru3D highlights the card's strong DirectX 11 performance in Hitman Absolution, delivering a smooth 82 FPS at 1080p and a highly playable 49 FPS at 1440p. As a factory-overclocked card, it outperforms reference models and serves as a capable, cost-effective option for enthusiast-level gaming at these resolutions. Conversely, the review...Read more

K
kitguru.net
19/09/2014
MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G Review - KitGuru

The KitGuru review awards the MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G a highly impressive 9.5 out of 10 rating, praising it as one of the most visually stunning and efficient graphics cards available at its launch. Built on Nvidia’s highly efficient 28nm Maxwell architecture (GM204 GPU), the card features 1,664 CUDA cores, 64 ROPs, and 4GB of GDDR5 video memory running on a 224 GB/s bandwidth bus....Read more

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gamestar.de
31/10/2014
Schlägt die Asus GTX 970 StrixGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. die MSI Gaming 4G? Hardwareluxx

summary of the GameStar review: The GameStar review evaluates the Asus Geforce GTX 970 Strix DC2OC, a graphics card featuring a Maxwell-GM204-200 chip factory-overclocked to a base clock of 1,114 MHz and a boost clock of 1,253 MHz. Tested on a system running an overclocked Intel Core i7 4770K (4.5 GHz) and 16 GB of DDR3 RAM, the GPU was put through a benchmark suite including titles...Read more

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modding.fr
29/12/2014
[TEST] MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4GGo to product viewer dialogue for this item.

The Modding.fr review highlights the MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G as an excellent, energy-efficient card featuring the Twin Frozr V cooling system with Zero Frozr technology for silent operation under 60°C. Built on a custom PCB, the card includes a 6 phase power design for enhanced overclocking capability. Key advantages identified are its exceptional acoustic profile, top-tier thermals,...Read more

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geeknetic.es
25/10/2014
MSI Geforce GTX 970 Gaming 4G - Geeknetic

The MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming 4G is a highly efficient graphics card based on NVIDIA’s Maxwell architecture, featuring 1,664 CUDA cores, 4GB of GDDR5 memory, and a 256-bit bus width. This specific model comes factory overclocked with a turbo boost frequency of 1,279 MHz, and it operates on a custom PCB paired with a robust power supply system utilizing 6-pin and 8-pin PEG...Read more

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hwupgrade.it
12/12/2014
3 schede GeForce GTX 970 a confronto: Gigabyte Inno3D e MSI

The HWUpgrade review of three GeForce GTX 970 cards highlights the Inno3D iChill Ultra as the thermal leader, keeping temperatures under 50°C during heavy load, though its massive size is a disadvantage. The Gigabyte and MSI variants provide superior form factor compatibility, operating at a slightly warmer, yet safe, 65°C, providing a balanced, compact alternative to the bulky...Read more

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tweakers.net
19/11/2015
MSI GeForce GTX 970 GAMING 4G - The Nihilist - Product reviews

The MSI GeForce GTX 970 GAMING 4G review on Tweakers praises the card for its exceptional value, noting a highly efficient and quiet cooling system that keeps fans off during idle and light loads. While acknowledging this model is not the fastest GTX 970 available, the user highlights its brilliant performance in demanding tasks as a key pro. Ultimately recommended for its balance...Read more

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tweakers.net
24/12/2014
MSI GeForce GTX 970 GAMING 4G - Foritain - Product reviews

The Tweakers product review for the MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming 4G praises the graphics card as an exceptional option that delivers a superb price-to-performance ratio for 1080p and 1440p gaming. It highlights significant improvements over the GTX 770, including better performance, lower power consumption, and the highly efficient, near-silent Twin Frozr V cooling system. However,...Read more

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