Question 1

Can this run VR games/software (etc.)?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Nvidia has given it the "VR ready" tag meaning that it can run VR apps and games with relative ease. Just make sure the rig you're putting this in has enough power in it do that it doesn't bottleneck this GPU.

Question 2

Does it include a backplate?

Accepted Answer

Just received mine - no backplate. Might have to come up with something. I am installing aluminum heatsinks on my m.2 SSD that is right above the graphics card. If they ever fell on the back of the GTX-1070 it would likely short something out. Too bad Zotac didn't make a backplate available to buy. There are places where you can buy custom made backplates.

Question 3

Seeing the dimensions of the card (ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1070 Mini) at 8.27" x 4.80"  (L x H), it appears that this might be the only card that will easily fit in my Alienware X51 R2, but then it would then mean that I would be replacing a "blower style" card with a "open air style" Graphic card without any prior knowledge or experience of how an open air style card would behave in a "closed" cabinet like an Alienware X51 R2, I would be happy to know if this can be done? In simple terms - I mean can I replace a blower style RX480 with this ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1070 Mini?

Accepted Answer

A blower style card is best used when the card is used in a case with limited airflow.  The blower vents the heated air from the card to the bracket and out the back into the the ambient air (i.e., your case doesn't have to deal with exhausting the air heated by the CPU).  While an open air cooled card can achieve higher thermal dissipation as compared to a blower style card, the heated air is vented into your case. In this situation, the cooling system belonging to the case is then responsible for moving the heated air out of the case through exhaust fans (otherwise, you risk heating up your other components).  The general rule of thumb has been that if you have a small form factor case and/or a case with limited airflow, you stand to do better with a blower style card.  A larger case with abundant airflow can comfortably handle the heat dissipated by a graphics card with open air style cooling solutions.  If your case already has a blower style card then, at a minimum, evaluate the cooling for your case.  If you can add fans to the case to achieve decent airflow, going from blower style to open air is fine.  Otherwise, consider staying with a blower style card (and, thus, you don't need to worry about the case airflow so much).

Question 4

will this be compatible with z390 motherboard?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Use pcpartpicker to build and check for compatibility issues. It's not 100% accurate but pretty close

Question 5

How much does this card weigh?

Accepted Answer

I don't know the exact weight but it is light. This is a mini card compared to the full sized gtx cards. This card won't sag if that is your concern.

Question 6

Does this only need one 8 pin? Would a 6 to 8 pin adapter work?

Accepted Answer

No, a 6 to 8 pin adapter is not safe to use with any graphics card. This requires an 8 pin.

Question 7

How would this run 16GB DDR4 3000+, Ryzen 5 1500X (better than 7700K)?

Accepted Answer

I'd take the 7700K over the Ryzen just for long term reliability. Neither of those have anything to do with the GTX1070 though. This is a great card if size is a concern. Better cooling than the typical ITX designed 1070s but smaller than most every stock option so for a tight fitting situation like my Define Nano S with a pump sitting up front this is great!

Question 8

What kind of temperature readings does this have when under load?

Accepted Answer

I currently have this card in a Silverstone SG13 case. My max temperatures during the Heaven benchmark is 66C with the fan at 50%. During GTA5 I get around 62C.

Question 9

Does the logo light up?

Accepted Answer

Logo does not light up, some other manufacturers have the logo lighting up, but they are a bit more costly. Founder editions are the stock cards, the ones with 1 fan (Fan that used to get pretty loud under heavy loads, but I heard this card did not).

Question 10

Can this be used with the HTC Vive?

Accepted Answer

Totally. Has full size HDMI and DP ports and the 1070 is good enough for most VR.

Questions & Answers