MSI Announces GeForce GTX 970 Gaming LE

[btarunr]

MSI announced a variant of its GeForce GTX 970 Gaming OC graphics card, which goes easy on the factory-overclock, dubbed LE (lite edition). The card is identical in design to the GTX 970 Gaming OC, which launched last month, but features clock speeds of 1076 MHz core, 1216 MHz GPU Boost in OC mode, and 1064 MHz core with 1203 MHz GPU Boost, in "Gaming" mode; and NVIDIA-reference speeds of 1051 MHz core and 1178 MHz GPU Boost, in silent mode. The card is still based on a custom-design PCB that features a strong VRM, which draws power from a combination of 8-pin and 6-pin PCIe power connectors; and the company's new TwinFrozr V cooling solution. MSI didn't announce pricing.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[THU31]

Good news. Probably 10 or 20 $ cheaper, and you can easily overclock it.

But I am still waiting for info on the GTX 960, and then I will decide what to get.

 

[cmberry20]

Step 1 - Buy MSI 970 LE Version

Step 2 - Flash MSI 970 Gaming Edition firmware onto LE card

Step 3 - Enjoy

 

[RCoon]

Step 1 - Buy MSI 970 LE Version

Step 2 - Flash MSI 970 Gaming Edition firmware onto LE card

Step 3 - Enjoy

Step 4 - Accidentally brick card

Step 5 - Realise you forgot to backup despite everyone telling you to

Step 6 - Come on TPU asking "HALP CARD IS POTATO" and receive comments on how flashing GPUs is a stupid idea.

 

[The Quim Reaper]

Step 1 - Buy MSI 970 LE Version

Step 2 - Flash MSI 970 Gaming Edition firmware onto LE card

Step 3 - Enjoy

Doubt it...

Chances are that these cards are ones that couldn't make the grade at the higher clocks anyway, so I don't think you'll get much luck flashing them to 'full fat' versions.

 

[apertotes]

Step 1 - Buy MSI 970 LE Version

Step 2 - Flash MSI 970 Gaming Edition firmware onto LE card

Step 3 - Enjoy

Really? Only to save $20?

 

[Casecutter]

Yea, if MSI is saying it's the same PCB, cooler... and all you have to do is feel is lucky? Something’s not all there...
You’re in denial believing MSI would provide the same potential, and especially this early in the release.

MSI knows the limit of such chips and subsequently, knows their value. Is there perhaps a slight more OC sure, but at a cost of diminishing efficiency, and why they’d rather not open then up to reviews.. For those who are more interested in it as a plug and play being $10-15 above the MSRP feels wonderful. I really see it as a card (reference) but honestly a more cost effective cooler than delivering an reference SKU. MSI forgo's the need/cost of worrying about production fixtures, part inventory of the materials for reference PCB/coolers, packaging, and just offer this. MSI saves mucho-bucks and they still sell it for more than $330.

 

[ensabrenoir]

Step 4 - Accidentally brick card

Step 5 - Realise you forgot to backup despite everyone telling you to

Step 6 - Come on TPU asking "HALP CARD IS POTATO" and receive comments on how flashing GPUs is a stupid idea.

i love the internet. anyway... the first really real gpu I ever bought was a lowly msi 5670........might have to give them a nother go. Their cards are lookin really nice lately

 

[ChaoticG8R]

It likely STILL won't have a backplate

 

[Ruru]

I'm sure it has a crapper VRM than the basic model or something..

 

[Sony Xperia S]

Before announcing anything, they need to figure out the supply chain problems they have...

How many chips are they producing currently, so the availability is so poor?

 

[Casecutter]

Before announcing anything, they need to figure out the supply chain problems they have...

How many chips are they producing currently, so the availability is so poor?

That was just the "teaser allocation" Nvidia has worked-in, to now move the 780's out. They couldn't... or more don't do it like AMD, who more often foretell what's coming by lowering prices on old stock ahead of the release. This is especially true as Nvidia wanted to keep everyone guessing on 9XX prices, and couldn't cut 780’s to their perf/price in the new stack without showing their hand. Plus this permits AIB's to get a good bit more than the "hypothetical" $330 that most evoke as 970's selling for. Such pent-up demand will allow that precedent to maintain for a good period after supply in the channel rebounds.