it doesn't matter which version you get....get whichever one looks coolest/has a feature you like/is cheapest...w/e makes you happy

Might be that MSI 290x Lightning edition

Hurd it > 970

I've seen a lot of r9 290's drop as low as 115-130

any reason to get 290x instead?

the fuck? 115-130$?

going off ratings is stupid.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1516121/gtx-970-comparison-strix-vs-msi-gaming-vs-gigabyte-g1
look at what all have pros and cons

Just read the pros and Cons, decide what YOU will like =)

approximately same performance, overclocks way better, you get the benefits of geforce experience and a streamlined driver interface, lots of cool stuff like gamestream, gsync, dsr, lightboost etc (couple of these depend on monitor)
uses less power, outputs less heat, newer architecture and still pretty new drivers so you're looking at even better performance down the road through matured drivers.

if you're gonna get a 970, get the gigabyte g1 gaming. hands down the best model you can get

This post was edited by Sayaka on Dec 18 2014 01:33am

can you read...
for example
GIGABYTE has amazing cooling
but its very large, so it might not fit in your case



this....

This post was edited by VeroNN on Dec 18 2014 04:17am

don't be mean. also, i've had problems with Gigabyte cards in the past, which is why i'm staying away from them for now. reviews will show that many others have issues with Gigabyte cards as well ( not to say that ALL gpu's don't have bad luck with some people ). but yes, OP you need to read read read... it's better to start learning up on stuff rather then just taking what ever info is thrown at you ( that's fine if you wanna do that, but you'll never learn or be able to make your own decisions ).