EVGA GTX 1070 SC / Black vs Gigabyte Windforce - Which to Choose?

[Flogger23m]

Looking at GTX 1070s and I've narrowed down my selection to three models as they all seem to be the best in the price range. Just wondering which of the three is the best for their price.

At $400 I can get the following:

Gigabyte Windforce:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5922#kf

Or the EVGA SC Black Edition (no backplate):
http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=08G-P4-5173-KR

At $410 at I can get an EVGA SC (comes with backplate):
http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=08G-P4-6173-KR

I am not too concerned with the clocks as I plan to mildly OC any GTX 1070 I get regardless. I am primarily concerned with cooling quality and build quality in general. Is EVGA's ACX 3.0 a better cooler than the Windforce? I've had a hard time finding any reviews on the Windforce models and I know EVGA uses the ACX 3.0 on their higher end FTW models as well, so I am leaning towards EVGA. But if someone has experience with the Windforce I'd like to know how it stacks up.

Finally, is the backplate on for the EVGA SC worth $10 more than the Black Edition? Will it provide any notably better cooling performance? I do prefer the looks but not enough to spend $10 more for it. Strength wise my MSI GTX 970 Gaming is doing perfectly fine without a backplate so I am not concerned with rigidity.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Kanan]

Take the EVGA with backplate, simply because it's protected better. Or the Black Edition - just not the GB. The cheapish fans are louder and 2 fans are always better than 3 if the cooling is adequate on both - and it is. The new ACX 3.0 is very quiet and cool - saw enough reviews on that, just search the net. Alternative to the cards would be a MSI Gaming (X).

 

[Darkleoco]

Another vote for the EVGA with backplate. I got one myself and it runs very silent and cool. If you crank the fans up to about 70% via Afterburner the card remains fairly quiet and cool as well.

 

[Flogger23m]

Take the EVGA with backplate, simply because it's protected better. Or the Black Edition - just not the GB. The cheapish fans are louder and 2 fans are always better than 3 if the cooling is adequate on both - and it is. The new ACX 3.0 is very quiet and cool - saw enough reviews on that, just search the net. Alternative to the cards would be a MSI Gaming (X).

Gigabyte Windforce only has 2 fans. But I was leaning towards the EVGA and made the decision to go with that. I simply can't find much reviews on the Gigabyte. I recall the ACX 2.0 was inferior to MSI's option, but MSI is simply far more expensive this time around unless I go with the Armor. And I'd imagine the ACX 3.0 is superior to the budget MSI/ASUS/Gigabyte models. Might not be up to par with the more expensive coolers on MSI or ASUS, but not the worst either. A decent middle ground for a decent price.

 

[FireFox]

I was leaning towards the EVGA and made the decision to go with that.

+1
You made the right decision, congrat

 

[Kanan]

Gigabyte Windforce only has 2 fans. But I was leaning towards the EVGA and made the decision to go with that. I simply can't find much reviews on the Gigabyte. I recall the ACX 2.0 was inferior to MSI's option, but MSI is simply far more expensive this time around unless I go with the Armor. And I'd imagine the ACX 3.0 is superior to the budget MSI/ASUS/Gigabyte models. Might not be up to par with the more expensive coolers on MSI or ASUS, but not the worst either. A decent middle ground for a decent price.

I concur with that, I wouldn't buy the armor etc. either.