GTX 570

[HMFlol]

Hello all,

Quick question.

I am purchasing a GTX 570 next week, and am probably going to be buying an MSI Twin Frozr GTX 570 - Newegg.ca - MSI N570GTX Twin Frozr II OC GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

I have also heard very good things about Gainward cards, specifically their gtx 570 cards. Does anyone know if it is possible to buy those cards within Canada? I can't seem to find them anywhere.

Thanks!

[ilya]

Originally Posted by HMFlol

Hello all,

Quick question.

I am purchasing a GTX 570 next week, and am probably going to be buying an MSI Twin Frozr GTX 570 - Newegg.ca - MSI N570GTX Twin Frozr II OC GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

I have also heard very good things about Gainward cards, specifically their gtx 570 cards. Does anyone know if it is possible to buy those cards within Canada? I can't seem to find them anywhere.

Thanks!

Cheaper at Direct Canada with free shipping and you get a $20 MIR. You can also pricematch at NCIX, but you're going to have to find a free shipping deal.
MSI N570GTX Twin Frozr II OC GeForce GTX 570 Fermi 732MHZ 1280MB 3.8GHZ GDDR5 PCI-E 2XDVI Video Card - DirectCanada

As for Gainward cards, they're primarily European based with very minimal American presence and no presence in Canada. You can find them on Newegg sometimes, but TBH I wouldn't bother with that company at all. They're owned by Palit who also owns Galaxy and XpertVision and business models between the companies are virtually identical. The reason why you see good reviews of them is they put all their resources into aggressively overclocked non reference cards with seemingly better aftermarket cooling and then slap a lower price tag on it. Problem is they dramatically increase their failure rates and most of these companies have a shorter than standard warranty length.

I'm sure there are experts here that know more about the Palit fiascos than I do and hopefully they'll chime in with better information.

[HMFlol]

Thanks for the input! That's a great price over at Direct Canada. I'll have to grab it from them, especially with the free shipping.

[draemn]

If you aren't worried about the custom heatsink and a bit extra noise, you can pick up a 570 for $30 less. Newegg.ca had a MSI stock 570 on sale for $300 and I've seen a few others @ 300 from time to time.

[HMFlol]

Actually one of my reasons for choosing this card was specifically for it's custom heatsink. It is significantly quieter than reference and offers far better cooling. Quieter and cooler makes me a happy camper.

[draemn]

understood :)

If you're going SLI, then you'd want to get the blower fan.

[HMFlol]

Definitely. I, however, do not plan on ever using a multi GPU setup again if I can get away with it. My HD 4850's have been a pain in the ass. Also, I have an X48 mainboard, so SLI wouldn't happen anyway.

And, if you are wondering why I'm not going with ATI since I have an X48 mobo, it's because the last few ATI drivers have been utter garbage and I'm tired of dealing with them. D:

[Delavan]

The best, most robust 570 is this one:

NCIX.com - Buy ASUS GeForce 570 GTX DirectCU II Fermi 742MHZ 1280MB 3.8 GHz GDDR5 2XDVI HDMI PCI-E Video Card - ASUS - ENGTX570 DCII/2DIS/1280MD5 - in Canada

It's selling for $359 over at NCIX.com...

Read on it...it's got MORE and BETTER VRMs, a NEC "proadlizer" (GPU voltage stabilizer thingy) a back plate, a great cooler...only con is the size I guess...

Too bad they're triple-slots, or I would buy two right away for my P8P67 Deluxe...
Pic from TECHPOWERUP


ASUS GeForce GTX 570 Direct CU II Review - Page 1/27 | techPowerUp

[HMFlol]

Well... now you've got me all torn.

Seems like it's quieter and cooler than the MSI card, based on this review - MSI GeForce N570GTX Twin Frozr II im Test - Lautstrke (6/15) - TweakPC

The fact that the ASUS is triple slot doesn't bother me at all. It looks like a very solid build, and it seems to overclock nicely.

Anyone have any experience or knowledge regarding tech support or warranty concerns with either company that might sway me one way or the other?

[draemn]

I had no problem with my RMA of a GTX 570 to MSI (although they had agreed to send me back a stock card instead of an OC version and I got an OC version back?)...

ASUS is okay for RMA (not amazing, slow to communicate), but far from a bad company. It's up to you, but the ASUS card should only make a difference for over-clocking, not stock settings. (I still haven't seen anyone have their stock clocked 570 die)