Picking the right GTX 980 brand

[ltomada]

CPU: i7 - 4770k
MoBo: Asus Maximus VII Hero
Ram: 16 GB (4x4 gb) Cosair Dominator Platinum
GPU: (Brand) GTX 980
PSU: Corsair RM 850
Water Cooling: CPU and GPU

Some brands are 100 euros cheaper than others but some more expensive ones have lower clocking. EVGA is the cheapest but known to be faulty. Asus seems ok, but MSI, Zotac and Giga seem to have mostly the same clocking with a 1-2% difference. Any reccomendations or suggestions for which brand is more appropriate? keep in mind all will be water cooled and overclocked, so looks dont matter much.


Thanks in advance

 

[rubix_1011]

I've found EVGA to be the best, especially when it comes to warranty. In fact, I've only bought EVGA for many years and as long as you register them within 30 days of purchase, you can basically RMA them for any failure without question. Outside of Nvidia, EVGA is typically most consistent with reference PCB when it comes to full-cover watercooling blocks. Other vendors tend to use non-standard PCB layout, so you might not find a block for them as easily.

 

[TheMentalist]

EVGA, Sapphire and ASUS are my first choices in graphics cards.
For watercooling, EVGA is the way to go.

 

[uplink-svk]

Hmm, watercooled 4770K and GTX 980? If I may ask, what's the reason You decided to go the "watery" path? It's not 5960X, that's gonna sit in Your computer for next 2-3 years, or triple SLi Titan Z. It's overpriced GTX 980, who's having hard time to compete with her younger sister [GTX 970] and that's that. Not many reasons to go after water. On plenty air coolers You'll get similiar results as on 2-in-1 water cooling solutions, and when You get whole water cooling system [pump, reservoir, radiator, tubes, fittings, etc.] You're gonna have helluva hard time upgrading Your...everything, when the time comes.

If You want water for looks, and You plan some badass visual orgy, just ignore my question.

And as for water, EVGA is a good brand thanks to their decade long warranty [which is optional and needs to be paid for]. Remember to keep original cooler and everything, in case You want to RMA it.

 

[rubix_1011]

Not many reasons to go after water. On plenty air coolers You'll get similiar results as on 2-in-1 water cooling solutions, and when You get whole water cooling system [pump, reservoir, radiator, tubes, fittings, etc.] You're gonna have helluva hard time upgrading Your...everything, when the time comes.

I'm guessing you haven't ever watercooled based on these comments. Assuming when you say '2-in-1 solutions as the closed loop liquid cooling offerings? I'm sorry, I strongly disagree on cooling ability of these in comparison to a purpose-build watercooling loop. Watercooling isn't that difficult to 'figure out' or to install and maintain, but this is subjective to the technical ability of the user.

And as for water, EVGA is a good brand thanks to their decade long warranty [which is optional and needs to be paid for]. Remember to keep original cooler and everything, in case You want to RMA it.

EVGA's warranty doesn't have to be paid for. You just need to register the card within 30 days of purchase in order to utilize the maintenance functionality. I've never paid for EVGA warranties and I've RMA'd a couple cards for builds I've done for people...you only pay shipping to send it to them, and in many cases, they will cross-ship the replacement for you.

Standard Warranty (Original Purchasers Only)

The following warranty lengths are provided to the Original Purchaser for EVGA products purchased on or after July 1, 2011 from an EVGA authorized reseller with a valid proof of purchase. For EVGA products not purchased from an EVGA authorized reseller or for owners that do not have a valid proof of purchase than the warranty is available for up to 3 years, which will not exceed the warranty length assigned to the part number, and the warranty will start from the EVGA shipping date. For more details on the EVGA transferable warranty then please see the Transferable Warranty section below.

Limited 10 Year Suffixes: -XR, -X1, -X2, -X3, -X4
Limited 5 Year Suffixes: -GR, -SR, -VR, -V1, -V2, -V3
Limited 3 Year Suffixes: -KR, -K1, -K2, -K3, -KB, -KA, -KF, -KM
Limited 2 Year Suffixes: -LA, -LE, -LR, -LX, -T1, -T2, -TR, -TX
Limited 1 Year Suffixes: -B1*, -BR**, -BX, -DR, -RX
Limited 90 Day Suffix: -RB

Limited Lifetime Warranty (Original Purchasers Only)

Limited Lifetime Warranties are available to the original owner on applicable parts if registered by the original owner within 30 days of the date of purchase. A valid proof of purchase is required from an EVGA authorized reseller to verify Limited Lifetime Warranty availability. For more details on the EVGA transferable warranty then please see the Transferable Warranty section below.

Limited Lifetime Suffixes: -A1, -A2, -A3, -A4, -AR, -AX, -CR, -CX, -DX, -FR, -FX, -SG, -SX
Limited Lifetime Warranty Exceptions

Limited Lifetime warranty products purchased on or after July 1, 2011 that are not registered within 30 days from the date of purchase will have a standard 3 year warranty.
Limited Lifetime warranty products that were not purchased from an EVGA authorized reseller or that were sold as open box or used will not be eligible for the Limited Lifetime Warranty and will follow the Transferable warranty terms as shown below.

https://www.evga.com/support/warranty/

 

[uplink-svk]

rubix_1011 - for Your first comment:

for Your second comment:

http://www.evga.com/support/warranty/extended.asp

 

[rubix_1011]

I stand corrected, that's a nice, clean loop build. Seeing good temps?

And I will still stand by my statement that it really isn't that difficult to swap a card in a watercooling loop...does it take more time and planning? Absolutely. But it isn't overly difficult. And I also still stand by the comment about all in one coolers for GPUs performing really well...from what I have seen in various reviews...it 'works' better than stock air cooling but not really to the level at sustained loads as you get in a full loop.


That's only for KR products. AR products include a lifetime warranty. Even so, I am guessing that someone dropping $550 on a GTX 980 now will likely have something else in 3 years with a KR suffix if it kicks the bucket, but I don't want to assume this will be EVERYONE, so yes, an extended warranty can be purchased if you don't get an AR suffixed card. Even so, the warranty is still included for the time period that it is valid based on the card model+suffix you have purchased....only the extended warranty costs money.

Limited Lifetime Suffixes: -A1, -A2, -A3, -A4, -AR, -AX, -CR, -CX, -DX, -FR, -FX, -SG, -SX

Limited 3 Year Suffixes: -KR, -K1, -K2, -K3, -KB, -KA, -KF, -KM

 

[uplink-svk]

rubix_1011 - it was kind of worth it for vga on that build, since it had hotter than sun GTX 480, where it put her from horrendous 45-50°C at idle and 90-100°C at burn [evga sc] to 25-28°C at idle, and at 43-45°C at burn, or 50°C at burn, don't remember exactly. Water cooling cost up to 1200 euro or so, it was state of art at it's day. CPU is Core i7 930, non-OCed and acts similiarly as on air.

EVGA-wise, I remember trying to send them one GTX 480 for RMA and they told me I didn't buy ext. warranty, so no RMA for me. Though, they exchanged GTX 470 for new GTX 560 without a blink of an eye, so it got me confused that day.

 

[rubix_1011]

That's really odd...I've never had a single issue with EVGA when returning a registered card within warranty. You DO have to be careful and know which card you are buying to make sure you get the correct warranty from them. Even so, they are pretty good at replacements if the original card isn't available or viable any longer and there is a cheaper, equal alternative (as in your case). I've only ever got a 1:1 replacement, though.

 

[uplink-svk]

rubix_1011 - since I've had a very few EVGA RMA claims, I cannot comment any further to this situation. Which is good . In general I find EVGA to be one of the best motherboard, powersupply units and video graphics cards manufacturers out on the market.

I was more interested in that water cooling, and why did op decide to go this way with 4770K and GTX 980, since these two in particular will benefit from water cooling while OCed, but not in some humongous way. That's all.

 

[-HH-]

EVGA's GTX 980 Hydro Copper is the best performing 980 with a stock full water block.

 

[rubix_1011]

I agree...kind of depends on the basis on why OP is wanting to go the route of watercooling and how well-versed they are with overclocking based on the first post. Watercooling or 'K' series chips doesn't automatically mean you are going to hit posted speeds and voltages that someone else with the same hardware might have.

I think there is a misconception that folks think that 'buying X + Y + Z' parts and ABC cooling and using a GUI tool, I can overclock and add a signature line with my success!' is automatically possible. While it is easier than it used to be, it still requires a significant deal of understanding of what you are doing. I like the ambition of people wanting to pursue these goals, but I want to correct these issues so they are in the best position possible in order to reach their goals with understood limitations and proper resource allocation (especially for cooling).