NVIDIA GTX 970 in 2021 Revisit: Benchmarks vs. 1080, 2060, 3070, 5700 XT, & More
In this YouTube video, the team from Gamers Nexus revisits the NVIDIA GTX 970 graphics card to assess its performance as of 2021, comparing it with several newer models such as the RTX 3080, RTX 3070, RTX 2060, AMD RX 6800, and 5700 XT. The GTX 970, which launched back in September 2014, has maintained its popularity despite controversy over its memory specifications, which were the subject of a successful class-action lawsuit that characterized its actual memory as 3.5 GB of fast memory plus another 512 MB of slower memory.
### Key Highlights of the Video
1. Historical Context: The GTX 970 was known for delivering excellent performance for its price, with a starting MSRP around $330. It continued to sell well and hold its place among the most popular cards even as newer models emerged.
2. Performance Benchmarks:
- At 1080p, the GTX 970 averaged about 54 FPS in modern titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider, highlighting that while it can still perform adequately, it's showing its age.
- For 1440p, performance drops to around 36 FPS, making it less viable for higher resolutions.
- At 4k, it struggles to keep up, often posting averages below 30 FPS.
3. Upgrade Recommendations: The video suggests considering a used GTX 1080, RTX 2060, or even higher models like the RX 5700 XT and RTX 3060 Ti as potential upgrades, providing significant performance improvements while being reachable on the used market.
4. Power Efficiency: The GTX 970's power draw is comparable to many modern cards, but newer GPUs tend to offer better performance per watt, indicating advancements in efficiency.
5. Conclusion: The GTX 970 still serves as a solid option for gamers who may not be seeking cutting-edge performance but still want to enjoy a decent gaming experience at 1080p. Those looking for significant improvements—especially at higher resolutions or for new game releases—are encouraged to consider upgrading if their current experience becomes frustrating.
### Community Engagement
What are your experiences with the GTX 970 in 2024? If you've upgraded from the GTX 970, what card did you choose, and how does it compare? Share your thoughts and help fellow users in the community find the best upgrade paths!
Feel free to check out related discussions about GPU upgrades, gaming performance at various resolutions, and tips for optimizing your current hardware setup!