GTX 970 3.5GB Vram Issue (BAD NEWS)
- Thread starter policematrix
- Start date
keynes
Multiverse Poster
From what I read online retailers are offering a refund or exchange + paying for the difference
keynes
Multiverse Poster
Overclokers UK were doing it.
Thing is as soon as you run out of VRAM performance is going to take a huge hit anyway, whether that be at the 3.5GB mark or 4GB. I'm not sure what benefit disabling the 500mb would offer, it's still faster than reverting to system RAM (though not that much faster).
Has it been mis-sold, absolutely, but it isn't a problem with the card per-se, it's functioning as intended. Is it flawed? It does seem a bit of an odd choice but if this had been sold as a 3GB card with the performance that it offers it would probably still be lauded as a fantastic card for the money.
So really much more than the actual spec the issue is the misleading information NVIDIA put out, claiming it had the same amount of modules at the 980 when it didn't. Considering the 2nd tier card is nearly always cut down from the flagship this does seem strange. What went on behind closed doors who knows. I'm prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt this one time.
Has it been mis-sold, absolutely, but it isn't a problem with the card per-se, it's functioning as intended. Is it flawed? It does seem a bit of an odd choice but if this had been sold as a 3GB card with the performance that it offers it would probably still be lauded as a fantastic card for the money.
So really much more than the actual spec the issue is the misleading information NVIDIA put out, claiming it had the same amount of modules at the 980 when it didn't. Considering the 2nd tier card is nearly always cut down from the flagship this does seem strange. What went on behind closed doors who knows. I'm prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt this one time.
DeadEyeDuk
Superhero Level Poster
I'm just too lazy to do anything about it 
policematrix
Active member
If I wanted just a 1080 card there are many cheaper ones that will perform very close to this one and save you 150£ the point of this card was to some time in the future SLi it and be ready for 4K I know nothing is future proof but this card is now dead in the water and its resale value just dropped like a bomb but we still paid top dollar, I agree the card is awesome BUT and its a killer BUT (like my GFs ;p) its no 4K card and SLi makes very little difference.
I suppose money is the main issue for me it took years to save this money and I was not planning to buy a replacement card anytime soon so I feel they least they can do is remburst buyers with some sort of partial refund as the money I paid was real and did not have 50£ they could not spend.
There's plenty of 970 SLI tests on the net that do claim it makes a difference.
It's a great 1440p card, and continues to be, which serves my needs personally. The 970 was never out to be a 4K performer, though I agree the slower 500MB of memory could make a difference in SLI for higher resolutions.
I really do understand why so many people are upset but its performance numbers haven't changed, I bought it based on those. I'm bugged we were misled, and if you feel you'd like a refund I'd say go for it, you shouldn't have much trouble getting one.
Your point about resale value is interesting, I hope it doesn't drop too much.
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policematrix
Active member
I mean it's not much difference in respect to the VRAM issue, im still not happy though as it seems the card uses RAM over that slow VRAM 500 mb portion.
I think the main issue here is the lies if they did release wrong specs then they would have noticed GPU companies sell on spec and spec alone I seriously cant believe in 4 months no one noticed so they lied imo
AMD to offer special discounts to owners of GeForce GTX 970
http://www.kitguru.net/components/g...ecial-discounts-to-owners-of-geforce-gtx-970/
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DeadEyeDuk
Superhero Level Poster
See I think that is a bum move by AMD. What their genius PR team hasn't thought about is that they are effectively screwing loyal AMD owners and rewarding members of the superior nVidia race with a discount...in one's opinion
See I think that is a bum move by AMD. What their genius PR team hasn't thought about is that they are effectively screwing loyal AMD owners and rewarding members of the superior nVidia race with a discount...in one's opinion
A lot of companies do have new customer offers though. I seem to remember a lot of banks doing this. Oh and Papa Johns, always offer 33% off for new customers. I think I've got about 20 accounts with them now...
I do think this whole thing has been a bit disappointing. I'm not sure whether its all being blown out of proportion slightly, I don't know how many people would have chosen to get a 980 (rather than a 970) if said VRAM restrictions were clear from the get go. Price/Performance the card is still excellent. I'm not saying people shouldn't be upset, as I said its very disappointing, but I'm not sure how many people have actually 'suffered' because of it.
I'm sure some people would have gone for a different card because of the VRAM restriction, but the benchmarks etc. for the card all still stand.
I'm sure some people would have gone for a different card because of the VRAM restriction, but the benchmarks etc. for the card all still stand.
keynes
Multiverse Poster
That's different. You don't need to proof you are changing from a different retailer/shop and Papa Johns is usually offering as good deals for new and existing customers
SmokeDarKnight
Author Level
UPDATE
Spoke to my retailer today and they told me that they are working hard with the Manufacturers to resolve this issue.
EVGA for example have to be contacted directly and they are offering a solution though their upgrade program.
MSI and Gigabyte are also in discussions to help out.
I got a little speech about the problem and how it will cause minimum impact in the real world and that if you are playing a game that hits 4GB anyway the same problems will ocurr whether it memory has this 0.5gb section of not. They said that the had 100's of customers calling and complaining and being quite rude for something that wasn't their fault. Problems is that customers expect the GTX 980 at the same price and delivered before they have to return their GTX 970.
I remained calm and had a chat with the guy who was extremely friendly after he got his speech out of the way and he was more than happy to sort out a refund for me and was very apologetic.
The outcome was that i ordered the 2 EVGA GTX 980's SC so that they would be delivered next day or 2 and i could wait or send the 2 MSI GTX 970's back asap.
My recommendation for anyone wanting to follow in the steps of returning these still great cards is to
Be polite (its not their fault)
Be patient (they have to try and convince you that the problem is not as big a problem as it has been advertised)
Be Friendly (these guys are receiving a lot of calls and impatient customers shouting down the phone is not a pleasant experience, stand out as a nice customer might get you further)
Hope this helps anyone thinking of sending their cards back.
Spoke to my retailer today and they told me that they are working hard with the Manufacturers to resolve this issue.
EVGA for example have to be contacted directly and they are offering a solution though their upgrade program.
MSI and Gigabyte are also in discussions to help out.
I got a little speech about the problem and how it will cause minimum impact in the real world and that if you are playing a game that hits 4GB anyway the same problems will ocurr whether it memory has this 0.5gb section of not. They said that the had 100's of customers calling and complaining and being quite rude for something that wasn't their fault. Problems is that customers expect the GTX 980 at the same price and delivered before they have to return their GTX 970.
I remained calm and had a chat with the guy who was extremely friendly after he got his speech out of the way and he was more than happy to sort out a refund for me and was very apologetic.
The outcome was that i ordered the 2 EVGA GTX 980's SC so that they would be delivered next day or 2 and i could wait or send the 2 MSI GTX 970's back asap.
My recommendation for anyone wanting to follow in the steps of returning these still great cards is to
Be polite (its not their fault)
Be patient (they have to try and convince you that the problem is not as big a problem as it has been advertised)
Be Friendly (these guys are receiving a lot of calls and impatient customers shouting down the phone is not a pleasant experience, stand out as a nice customer might get you further)
Hope this helps anyone thinking of sending their cards back.
keynes
Multiverse Poster
Try both. Haven't heard about Palit online only MSI and EVGA
policematrix
Active member
PALITS response