980 ti Hybrid or Strix OC

[Hoganator52]

Hey everyone, I'm going to buy a 980 ti within the next 2 days and am wondering which card to get, I've found an evga hybrid for $690 and an Asus Strix OC for $650. Do NOT tell me to look at a different card as I am only picking from these two for many reasons. Is the lower performance out of box from the hybrid worth it as you can overclock to almost 1500mhz while staying super cool around 45-50C? I also do plan on getting a second card around Christmas. Would I benefit by getting two water cooled cards over two air cooled? I know over clocking brings the hybrid to a higher performance than the strix at its base OC out of box which I know can be pushed more but heat goes up.

What are your opinions, Strix OC or the hybrid and OC it myself

 

[Hoganator52]

Also, I see the hybrid is simply a reference with a water cool, don't know if that matters after you overclock it. What do you guys think I should buy

 

[rymu2000]

I would pick the Strix because a water cooled card can be more complicated to use and SLI, also in my opinion the Strix looks better.