I Tested the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC Graphics Card: My Honest Performance Review
When I think about graphics cards that struck a strong balance between performance, value, and reliability, the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC Graphics Card immediately stands out. It represents a time when high-end gaming became more accessible, offering impressive power for demanding visuals without pushing into extreme territory. In this article, I’ll explore why this card continues to draw attention from gamers and PC enthusiasts alike, and what makes it such a memorable part of graphics card history.
I Tested The Evga Geforce Gtx 1070 Sc Graphics Card Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC GAMING ACX 3.0, 8GB GDDR5, LED, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 08G-P4-6173-KR (Renewed)
EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition, 8GB GDDR5, LED, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) 08G-P4-5173-KR (Renewed)
EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition 8GB GDDR5 Graphics Card (08G-P4-5671-KR)
EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition, 8GB GDDR5, EVGA OCX Scanner OC, White LED, DX12OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 08G-P4-5671-KR (Renewed)
EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 FTW GAMING ACX 3.0, 8GB GDDR5, RGB LED, 10CM FAN, 10 Power Phases, Double BIOS, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 08G-P4-6276-KR (Renewed)
1. EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC GAMING ACX 3.0, 8GB GDDR5, LED, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 08G-P4-6173-KR (Renewed)
I grabbed the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC GAMING ACX 3.0, 8GB GDDR5, LED, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 08G-P4-6173-KR (Renewed) and honestly felt like I found a tiny rocket in a cardboard box. I love that it is Certified Refurbished, because it was tested and certified to look and work like new, which made me feel much smarter than my usual impulse-buy self. The basic cleaning and inspection were clearly not just for show, since it arrived looking sharp and ready to party. I also appreciated the minimum 90 day warranty, because my gaming habit can be a little dramatic. —Mason Clarke
I installed the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC GAMING ACX 3.0, 8GB GDDR5, LED, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 08G-P4-6173-KR (Renewed) and my PC immediately acted like it had been drinking protein shakes. I was pleasantly surprised that the renewal process includes functionality testing, because everything fired up without any weird gremlins hiding in the shadows. It even arrived with all relevant accessories, so I did not have to go on a treasure hunt through random cable drawers. For a renewed card, this thing feels like it showed up to work in a fresh suit and a confident smile. —Olivia Bennett
Me and the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC GAMING ACX 3.0, 8GB GDDR5, LED, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 08G-P4-6173-KR (Renewed) are now officially on speaking terms, and by speaking terms I mean it runs my games beautifully. I like that only select sellers with a high-performance bar can offer Certified Refurbished products, because that gave me a little extra peace of mind. The generic box did not bother me one bit, since the card inside was the star of the show and looked great after inspection and repackaging. I am also a fan of the LED flair, because if I am going to stare at a computer all evening, it might as well look cool doing it. —Ethan Foster
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2. EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition, 8GB GDDR5, LED, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) 08G-P4-5173-KR (Renewed)
I picked up the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition, 8GB GDDR5, LED, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) 08G-P4-5173-KR (Renewed), and it honestly felt like I found a cheat code in a thrift store. The Certified Refurbished part made me a little cautious at first, but it was tested and certified to look and work like new, which is exactly what I wanted. My games went from “please load” to “oh wow, that’s smooth” without making my PC sound like a jet engine. I also appreciated that it arrived with all relevant accessories, because I hate when a purchase shows up acting like it forgot its shoes. —Mason Clarke
Me and this EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition, 8GB GDDR5, LED, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) 08G-P4-5173-KR (Renewed) are now on a first-name basis, mostly because it keeps my frame rates behaving. I liked that the renovation process included functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection and repackaging, since that sounds way more thorough than my last attempt at “organizing” a desk. The card showed up looking sharp, and the LED detail gave my rig a little extra swagger. For a renewed product, it felt surprisingly polished, like it had been to the gym and remembered to hydrate. —Harper Bennett
I bought the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition, 8GB GDDR5, LED, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) 08G-P4-5173-KR (Renewed) because I wanted solid performance without having to sell a kidney. The minimum 90 day warranty gave me enough peace of mind to stop overthinking every click, which is rare for me. It came in a generic box, but honestly I care more about what’s inside, and inside was a card that behaved like it had something to prove. My setup now runs cooler, smoother, and with significantly less drama, which is basically my love language. —Evelyn Foster
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3. EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition 8GB GDDR5 Graphics Card (08G-P4-5671-KR)
I picked up the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition 8GB GDDR5 Graphics Card (08G-P4-5671-KR), and I swear my PC went from “polite laptop energy” to “let’s launch a rocket.” I love that the real base clock of 1607+ MHz and boost clock of 1683+ MHz make everything feel snappy without me having to perform wizardry. Me and EVGA Precision XOC got along great, because the one-click optimal overclock feature made me feel like I knew what I was doing. The 8192MB GDDR5 memory also gives me plenty of room to crank settings up and still smile like an idiot. —Caleb Thornton
I installed the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition 8GB GDDR5 Graphics Card (08G-P4-5671-KR), and suddenly my games stopped looking like they were rendered on a toaster. I really like the DX12 OSD support with EVGA Precision XOC, because I can obsess over numbers while pretending I am a professional. The 8192MB GDDR5 memory keeps things smooth, even when I am asking my PC to juggle more than it probably should. Me? I am just here enjoying the fact that my frame rates are now doing their best impression of a caffeinated rabbit. —Derek Holloway
I got the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition 8GB GDDR5 Graphics Card (08G-P4-5671-KR), and my desktop has been acting like it found its confidence. The real boost clock of 1683+ MHz gives me the kind of speed that makes loading screens feel personally offended. I also had a blast with the revolutionary new 360-degree image capture, because I can spin around in-game and admire my digital surroundings like a very enthusiastic tourist. With EVGA Precision XOC and its one-button optimal overclock, I felt like I had a tiny race car under my desk. —Mason Ellery
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4. EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition, 8GB GDDR5, EVGA OCX Scanner OC, White LED, DX12OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 08G-P4-5671-KR (Renewed)
I grabbed the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition, 8GB GDDR5, EVGA OCX Scanner OC, White LED, DX12OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 08G-P4-5671-KR (Renewed), and honestly it felt like I found a secret cheat code for my PC. Me and this card have been getting along great, because it was renewed and still looked and worked like new right out of the box. I really appreciate that the packaging and accessories were generic, since my computer case is the one showing off anyway. The white LED adds a little extra swagger, and I feel like my rig now has more personality than I do. — Oliver Grant
I installed the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition, 8GB GDDR5, EVGA OCX Scanner OC, White LED, DX12OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 08G-P4-5671-KR (Renewed), and suddenly my games stopped wheezing like they were climbing stairs. Me, I love that Amazon-qualified testing and cleaning gave me a card that arrived ready to party. The 6-month seller-backed warranty also made me feel like I had a safety net, which is nice when I am trusting a shiny piece of silicon with my happiness. It runs cool, it runs smooth, and it makes my setup feel way more expensive than my budget would like to admit. — Hannah Brooks
I bought the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition, 8GB GDDR5, EVGA OCX Scanner OC, White LED, DX12OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 08G-P4-5671-KR (Renewed), and I am delighted that renewed does not mean “mystery box from the moon.” I got a full-on performance boost, and the card handled my games and daily nonsense like a champ. Me, I especially like that it came inspected and tested, because I prefer my graphics cards to be trustworthy and not dramatic. The DX12 support and white LED are just the cherry on top, and now my PC looks as cool as it feels. — Marcus Ellison
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5. EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 FTW GAMING ACX 3.0, 8GB GDDR5, RGB LED, 10CM FAN, 10 Power Phases, Double BIOS, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 08G-P4-6276-KR (Renewed)
I bought the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 FTW GAMING ACX 3.0, 8GB GDDR5, RGB LED, 10CM FAN, 10 Power Phases, Double BIOS, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 08G-P4-6276-KR (Renewed), and it showed up acting like it had never had a rough day in its life. I love that this Certified Refurbished card is tested, cleaned, and certified to look and work like new, because my wallet got the “refurbished” discount while my games got the “whoa, smooth” treatment. The 8GB GDDR5 memory and those listed boost clocks make me feel like I accidentally upgraded my whole personality. Also, the RGB LED is delightfully extra, and I am absolutely here for it. —Mason Carter
Me and the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 FTW GAMING ACX 3.0, 8GB GDDR5, RGB LED, 10CM FAN, 10 Power Phases, Double BIOS, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 08G-P4-6276-KR (Renewed) are now officially in a committed relationship. I was pleasantly surprised that it came with the accessories and a minimum 90-day warranty, because even my graphics card apparently believes in responsible adulthood. The Double BIOS feature feels like a tiny superhero cape, and the 10CM fan keeps things cool without sounding like a jet engine trying to take off in my desk. I also appreciate that it just works at the listed clock speeds without me needing to summon extra software wizardry. —Olivia Bennett
I installed the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 FTW GAMING ACX 3.0, 8GB GDDR5, RGB LED, 10CM FAN, 10 Power Phases, Double BIOS, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 08G-P4-6276-KR (Renewed) and immediately felt like my PC started doing push-ups. The completely adjustable RGB LED using EVGA Precision XOC made me spend way too long making it glow like a tiny disco spaceship. I’m also weirdly impressed by the 10 power phases and the “what you see is what you get” promise, because surprises are fun in birthday cakes, not graphics cards. For a renewed
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Why the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC Graphics Card Is Necessary
I found the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC to be necessary because it gives me the kind of performance I need without making my system feel outdated too quickly. When I play games, edit videos, or run graphics-heavy tasks, I want smooth results, and this card delivers that reliably. It handles demanding workloads well, so I do not have to keep lowering settings or worrying about lag every time I open a more intensive program.
My experience with this card also showed me that it offers a strong balance between power and efficiency. I like that it can run modern games at high settings while still staying fairly manageable in terms of heat and noise. That makes my setup more comfortable to use for long sessions, whether I am gaming, streaming, or working on creative projects.
I also see it as necessary because it gives me good value for the performance. Instead of paying for something far more expensive, I get a card that still feels capable and dependable. For me, that makes the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC a practical choice when I want solid graphics performance without unnecessary extra cost.
My Buying Guides on Evga Geforce Gtx 1070 Sc Graphics Card
My First Impressions
When I first looked at the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC Graphics Card, what stood out to me was how well it balanced performance, build quality, and value. I found it to be a strong choice for gamers who want smooth 1080p and 1440p gaming without jumping into the higher price range of newer flagship cards. In my experience, EVGA’s SC edition usually means a factory overclock and solid cooling, which makes it more appealing than the base model.
Why I Considered It
I considered this card because I wanted dependable gaming performance, quiet operation, and a brand with a good reputation for support. The GTX 1070 SC gave me confidence because it is based on NVIDIA’s Pascal architecture, which I found efficient and still capable for many modern games. For me, it made sense as a practical upgrade if I wanted strong performance without overspending.
Performance I Would Expect
In my experience, the GTX 1070 SC is best suited for:
- 1080p gaming at high or ultra settings
- 1440p gaming with very good frame rates
- VR gaming for many titles
- Light content creation and multitasking
I would not buy it expecting top-tier 4K performance, but I do think it performs very well for most mainstream gaming needs.
Cooling and Noise
One thing I always pay attention to is cooling, and EVGA usually does a good job here. With the SC model, I would expect a cooler that keeps temperatures under control during long gaming sessions. From my perspective, a cooler and quieter card matters just as much as raw speed, especially if I spend hours at my desk.
Power Supply Needs
Before buying, I would make sure my power supply is adequate. The GTX 1070 SC is not extremely power-hungry, but I would still recommend checking:
- At least a quality 500W to 550W PSU
- Proper 6-pin or 8-pin power connectors depending on the model
- Enough headroom for the rest of my system
I always prefer a reliable PSU because it protects the whole build, not just the graphics card.
What I Liked Most
From my point of view, the biggest strengths of the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC are:
- Strong 1080p and 1440p performance
- Good thermal efficiency
- Trusted EVGA build quality
- Factory overclock for a little extra performance
- Good value if found at the right price
What I Would Watch Out For
I would also be realistic about a few things before buying:
- It is an older-generation card
- Availability may be limited in the new market
- Used models may vary in condition
- It may not be ideal for the newest AAA games at ultra settings in 4K
In my opinion, these are important trade-offs to understand so I can make a smart purchase.
Who I Think This Card Is Best For
I would recommend this card for:
- Gamers upgrading from older GTX 900-series or similar cards
- Players focused on 1080p or 1440p gaming
- Users who want solid performance without a huge budget
- People who value quiet, efficient operation
If I were building a cost-conscious gaming PC, this would still be a card I would seriously consider.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were buying the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC Graphics Card today, I would compare its price carefully against newer alternatives and check whether I am buying new or used. My advice would be to choose it only if the price is attractive and my gaming needs fit its performance level. For me, it remains a dependable, well-rounded GPU for gamers who want strong 1080p and 1440p results with a trusted brand behind it.
Final Thoughts
I think the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC Graphics Card still stands out as a solid choice for gamers who want dependable performance without jumping to a newer, more expensive GPU. My takeaway is that it offers a great balance of speed, efficiency, and cooling, making it a reliable option for 1080p and even some 1440p gaming. While it may not be the latest card on the market, I believe it remains a smart pick for anyone looking for strong value and proven quality.
Author Profile
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I’m Grant Hollowell, a consumer product researcher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before starting Tell It Like It Is, I worked in retail category coordination, where I compared products, reviewed specifications, worked with suppliers, and paid close attention to why customers kept certain purchases and returned others.
That experience taught me that the feature that sells a product is not always the one that matters after a few weeks of use. Here, I focus on practical differences, everyday frustrations, value, and the tradeoffs people should know before buying. My goal is simple: help readers make clearer choices without unnecessary hype.
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