14 DAY TRIAL // When it comes to expanding its collection of graphics cards, EVGA often chooses to launch more than one at once. CES 2015 didn't prompt a huge release, like when it unveiled seven or a dozen boards at the same time.
However, the GPU OEM did, nonetheless, release more than one product. We've already seen the GeForce GTX 980 Classified K|ngp|n Edition, so now we'll be looking at the second one.
The video card is called EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC and has a dual-fan cooler, plus a pair of BIOS chips and intelligent cooling.
The company wanted something that customers could buy without paying as much as for the flagship board, but while still being able to play any game.
So while the GTX 980 K|ngp|n will meet the needs of overachievers, the GTX 970 SSC will suit the needs of every other person with cash.
The EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC specifications
This video card has the GM204-200 Maxwell graphics processing unit working at 1,190 MHz most of the time.
There is GPU Boost technology in play of course, which can push said processor to 1,342 MHz if the situation calls for it.
For comparison, the reference GTX 970 has a base clock of 1,050 MHz and a boost clock of 1,178 MHz. So you can see that EVGA's new model is far better.
The EVGA ACX 2.0 cooler is tasked with keeping the heat down, but the fans won't even start when you turn on your computer. It turns out that it is by design, as the heatsink alone is enough to keep things manageable until the fan goes over 60 degrees C. Then the active cooling kicks in.
In normal terms, this means that the video card will be completely silent (and power-efficient) when you're just surfing the web or writing a document. But when it's a high-end game you're playing, or if you're watching high-quality films, the card will finally be pushed enough to need fans to take the edge off the heat.
Furthermore, Dual BIOS is available, so that you always have a backup to revert to if you manually overclock the product to the point where your computer doesn't start anymore.
Availability and pricing
The EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC, with Memory MOSFET Cooling Plate (MOSFET temps by 47% and Memory by 14%), Optimized Power Target (33% more power over reference) and straight heatpipes (reduced GPU temp by 5 degrees C), should go up for sale soon, but exact availability and pricing details are unavailable.
