When comparing NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Founders Edition vs Zotac GeForce GTX 1070 Mini, the Slant community recommends NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Founders Edition for most people. In the question“What are the best GTX 1070 cards?” NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Founders Edition is ranked 9th while Zotac GeForce GTX 1070 Mini is ranked 10th. The most important reason people chose NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Founders Edition is:
While backplates can trap more heat, they offer a few benefits. They make the card look more complete - like it's actually worth $450. It also helps protect the internal components, and helps keep the graphics card sturdy.
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Pros
Pro Backplate adds extra
While backplates can trap more heat, they offer a few benefits. They make the card look more complete - like it's actually worth $450. It also helps protect the internal components, and helps keep the graphics card sturdy.
Pro Quiet operation
Measured 75 cm away from a PC, the GTX 1070 has an idle sound production of 34 dBA and 40 dBA under stress. In a silent room, the sound production of the card is definitely audible - but isn't experienced as annoying. As a comparison, 40 dBA is roughly equivalent to the noise a refrigerator produces.
Pro Perfect size for builds with little space
For people who prefer using a small chassis for their builds, the Zotac GeForce GTX 1070 Mini is perfect. At just above 8 inches it's much smaller than other GTX 1070 cards while still maintaining similar performance.
Cons
Con Slightly worse performance than other GTX 1070 cards
The Founders Edition is the reference design of the GTX 1070, and as such it is a more 'basic' model for lack of a better word. Other options have better cooling systems which allow for overclocking, which in turn means better performance than what the GTX 1070 Founders Edition can provide.
Con Founders Edition is more expensive
The Founders Edition of the GTX 1070 - which is NVIDIA's reference card and is priced at $450, which is a noticeable difference compared to the $380 of other GTX 1070 graphics cards. The Founders Edition versions have a metal backplate and blower fans for improved cooling in smaller cases, but don't have any performance advantages.