Which GTX980 to buy??

[TruBeast]

Hey Guys,

I am a bit of a noob when it comes to GPU specs, so really hoping you can help me out here.

I am looking at purchasing a GTX980 for my newly built rig; but do not know which is the better one to go with?

At the moment I am thinking either the:

MSI GTX980 Gaming Twin Frozr edition

OR the

Gigabyte GeForce GTX980 Gaming G1

Personally, I do like the look of MSI's card; but that is purely what I am basing it on - looks. I would prefer to buy a card based on performance, but don't really understand much of the spec side of things (which is where you guys come in 😀 )

I will be running it at 4k res (via HDMI 2.0), with plans to upgrade to 3x4k monitors (via display ports) in the future (possibly even going SLI then)

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

[TruBeast]

Cost aside, 980sli is a stronger setup then 970's, why? because 1+1 =2 whereas 2+2=4. More cuda cores, faster clocks, it's a more powerful card.

We need to establish at what settings you're wanting to play your games. The absolute max we will concentrate on.

970's will cut it but even then, it's only just cutting it. I've gone sli 970's but I'm not 4k gaming yet. I still believe we're on the casp where 4k gaming is either now or later, there is no future proofing at this stage. sli 980's will give you around 40fps with max settings on crysis 3 at 4k. GTX 970 will give you 30fps. This is only scraping the surface of 4k gaming at max settings. GTX 980 is not future proof for 4k if you want max settings.

If you can hold off till December, the 980ti will supposedly be released then. By the performance leaks ive obvserved, we will start to get into the future proofing 4k zone.

So you're options right now for 4k gaming for max settings is (looking at one of the most demanding games, crysis 3)
GTX 980 sli - 40fps
GTX 970 sli - 30fps

When I purchased the 970 sli's I wasn't even considering 4k gaming because I total the overall costs and I just couldn't justify spending so much money on cards and a 4k screen at this particular time. With the 970's, I will be able to game at 4k if i really want to and yes, it will look pretty spectacular too. I just don't see GTX 980sli as a resonable option being on the casp of 4k gaming. The cost is just too high for no future proofing.

Thanks for sticking with me Mosti - I think we've got there in the end 😉 .

Your help and patience has been much appreciated

970's it is then!

Now, for the final hurdle - Gigabytes or MSI's?

 

[mosti]

haha happy to help! I had to edit my last post like 5 times lol.
This is what I've done...
GTX 970sli at 2560x1440. Future proofed my self for max settings at this resolution (can play 4k right now no future proof)
When 4k is begining to transition with cheaper monitor prices...I will look to what top of the range card is available at the time and future proof myself for 4k gaming.

In regards to gigabyte or msi...1 sec, i'll find a post i did earlier and copy paste it here in a minute.

EDIT:
EVGA SOC - There are better options. Don't choose this card.

I've got galax EOC's and the price is amazing and they really are a great card. At a low price, this card includes a backplate and a powerful fan design. Overclocks nice as well. Only downfall is it's a newly formed company (yes I know how it originated but it's stil a newly formed company) and support for things such as waterblocks etc are non existent and may stay that way. If you are planning on watercooling with a custom loop, do not get this card.

If you want raw power out of the box, the Gigabyte G1 gaming is the fastest clocked gtx 970 but at the expense of a little more noise (but runs cooler) then the others. This card is larger then the rest so make sure it's going to fit into your case. Uses more power then the rest, from memory it was something like 20watts extra under full load then the asus strix. This is your best option if you want the fastest card without overclocking . However, bear in mind, even though it is the fastest, the difference aren't major so if you can't find a good price, perhaps look towards a difference card.

The msi looks awesome and runs quiet but I've heard of problems with overclocking temps due to their fan technology messing with your fan curves. This problem has come up a couple of times but I've also seen reviews and benchmarks of this card where people haven't even had bad news about it at all. This card overclocks very well. Bear in mind, the problem i mentioned won't affect you what so ever. This is one of the quiter cards.

Asus strix. Much like the msi, this card looks awesome and asus are known for their quality. This card is the slowest out of the box but again, these aren't major differences in gaming, we are talking a couple frames difference. It has 0db fan technology which makes this the quitest gtx 970 non-reference card available.

As you can see, each card has their perks but they are all good cards. If you can find the G1 within $20 of the msi, go the G1 if you don't mind it's looks and a little extra noise (I actually like it's appearance).G1 is also a longer card...make sure it's going to fit into your case. It overclocks like a beast as it's fans keep it temps down very well. msi or G1 are certainly the two to pick from.

 

[mosti]

What you will notice with sli is the top card always runs hotter. Perhaps now would be the time to make a new thread in regards to your options on this matter. I can't really comment on this as I've never water cooled an sli setup etc. All I can tell you is my GALX EOC top card runs 20-30degrees hotter then the bottom and it may have something to do with the fans of the top card sucking the hot air off the bottom of the bottom card and blowing it onto itself. Temps are still in the safe zone and I've clocked the crap out of these cards. Just not sure what will happen in summer when my room is much hotter. Might have to tune down m y overclock or I might scrape in, the fans will kick up to 90% and I'll still be in the safe zone. My top card fans are always spinning harder then the bottom card so when gaming, The temp gap closes and I'm still in the safe zone as the top card might be spinning at 70% while the bottom only at 50%.

Not sure how the G1 or MSi will perform in sli in regards to temps.

Also, if you're planning on watercooling with a custom waterblock, I know atm it's hard to find blocks that will fit these non reference cards. I remember reading somehwere a GTX 670 block will fit a 970 but it also depends on which model you're looking for. Maybe Try find out if there are any blocks that fit the msi or G1..