About the EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB SSC Gaming ACX 2.0+ Graphics Card
The EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB SSC Gaming ACX 2.0+ is a high-performance graphics card from NVIDIA's Maxwell generation, engineered to deliver exceptional 1080p and robust 1440p gaming performance. It features a custom-designed printed circuit board (PCB) with an enhanced power delivery system, allowing for higher and more stable factory overclocks out of the box compared to the NVIDIA reference design. The heart of the card is a fully unlocked GM204 GPU, paired with 4GB of high-speed GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit interface. This combination provided, at its release, a compelling balance of rendering power, memory bandwidth, and energy efficiency, making it a flagship choice for enthusiasts seeking high frame rates in demanding titles without the extreme power draw of previous generations.
A signature feature of this model is EVGA's proprietary ACX 2.0+ cooling solution. This system employs dual 100mm fans mounted on an extensive aluminum fin stack, which is connected to the GPU via a copper base plate and heat pipes for efficient heat dissipation. The fans are engineered for improved airflow and reduced noise, featuring a double-ball bearing design for longevity. The cooler's design allows for a semi-passive fan mode, where the fans remain off entirely during low-load operations such as desktop use or video playback, resulting in a completely silent computing experience until gaming or rendering tasks commence and require active cooling.
The card is built with the gamer and enthusiast in mind, offering software-controlled LED lighting for customization, a rigid backplate for added structural integrity and component protection, and EVGA's PrecisionX software for real-time monitoring and custom overclocking. Its connectivity suite was comprehensive for its era, including DisplayPort, HDMI, and dual DVI outputs, supporting multi-monitor setups and high-resolution displays. The GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0+ represented a peak in price-to-performance ratio during its market lifespan, offering near-top-tier gaming capabilities, advanced cooling technology, and the reliability associated with EVGA's warranty and customer support, cementing its place as a legendary card among PC builders.