Need help with picking GTX 980

[XLifted]

Hey, guys

I'm looking for some specific things in GTX 980

1) Ability to overclock as much as I can (preferably to 1500 mhz or higher)

2) Card clearance of 12 inches in length max , max height of 5.80 inches (or 6" for simplicity). Judging from Asus R9 290 4GB that barely fit in height.

3) Looking for quiet fans, comparable to PCS+ cards from Powercolor.

4) Under $600 (so please no Classified, Kinpin or Matrix cards, as much as I want to)

5) Preferably with great factory overclock boost of 1300+


I'm looking to overclock like I said, and I have found a couple of cards that I found interesting.

Your opinions on these cards here after research I've done:



1. EVGA 04G-P4-2986-KR GeForce GTX 980 4GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487089&cm_re=GTX_980-_-14-487-089-_-Product

Any coil issues with this one? ^
Some say fans are quiet, the others not so much, so hmmm



2. PNY VCGGTX9804XPB-XP-OC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133580&cm_re=GTX_980-_-14-133-580-_-Product

Anyone had experience with PNY cards in overclock and how are the fans in your opinion.



3. MSI GTX 980 GAMING 4G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127834&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

How are the fans, what about overclock?


Any other equal or better candidates are welcome.


Thank you


Edit: What about Asus Strix as well? Seems to be a good overclock judging on Youtube videos

 

[Darkbreeze]

Personally, the only two cards I would even consider, if for some weird reason I decided to go with the 980 rather than 970SLI, would be the Gigabyte G1 gaming and the Asus Strix. For sheer performance, the Gigabyte G1, for quiet fans, the Strix.

 

[i7Baby]

MSI Gaming. No fan noise - no fan spin - under 60C. 3 modes. Gaming mode boosts to 1400+MHz.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

MSI Gaming and Gigabyte G1 are the overclocking leaders and MSI has best fan control and noise / temp ratio....but the Gigabyte 970 is 12.28 long so that's out. The Asus and EVGA fight for the bottom spot.

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/msi_geforce_gtx_980_gaming_oc_review,26.html
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/asus_geforce_gtx_980_strix_review,26.html

MSI Boost Clock Overclocked ~1537 MHz
Asus Boost Clock Overclocked ~1481 MHz

MSI Load Temp = 68C
Asus Load Temp = 71C

MSI Thermal Imaging = 56.4 - 70.0
MSI Thermal Imaging = 69.4 - 89.7

Both measure 39 dbA under load.

 

[i7Baby]

See http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2014/09/19/nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-review/14

"Furthermore, it has the beefiest power delivery system of all three cards, and with this we managed to overclock it to a level that actually surpassed the GTX 980 at stock speeds. Your mileage may vary, of course, but this is undeniably a fantastic result. Add in the super quiet operation and semi-passive cooling mode, and you've got yourself a truly awesome graphics card."

 

[XLifted]

Thanks for responses guys, I can see some ways I can drill my bays to accommodate the Gigabyte G1 in there.

So I think I will go with that one once I mod

Is there any other cards that overclock like a beast compared to Gigabyte G1?

Are the fans quiet on Gigabyte G1?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Yes, as indicated above the MSI and Gigabyte have been trading wins throughout the 9xx series

 

[XLifted]

^Thanks