what gtx 760 version for ft03-mini

[andrepant]

Hi all, new to the forum here!

 

I need some guidance on choosing the right version of a graphics card.

I'm new to graphics cards, as I've just completed my first build in >10 years.  

 

I've settled on the gtx 760 in a blower style.  To provide some context, without modifying the case, I can only fit in a 10" card, and it needs to be a "blower" style, or it'll all over heat in the case.

 

I was settled on the msi itx 760: http://www.ncix.com/detail/msi-geforce-gtx-760-gaming-8b-92760-1396.htm

because I figured: more space in the case, more heat dissipation

 

I don't understand the difference between "flavours" of the cards. the msi itx is a bit more expensive than say, this full length msi:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127744

 

But is that the only real trade off?  I would have thought there'd be more compromise for such a small package.

 

Corrollary to all this, would there be another card you could recommend for me? bearing in mind I value silence in my build.

 

thanks for any insight!

 

further context:

4770k

z87 gigabyte mobo.

the rig is justified by being for photographs, I'm technically only a casual gamer

[Mateyyy]

Because the FT03-Mini is a pretty small case, get any 760 with a blower cooler.

 

A blower-style cooler looks like this:

[andrepant]

Yeah, I'm good that far, I just don't know what advantages/disadvantages each company's offerings really provide.  Am I over-thinking things? Would that itx form factor be worth it? I can afford the extra 40$, and size wise would prefer having the smaller card, but other than saving 40$ would I be better off with another version?

[The_Strict_Nein]

Yeah, I'm good that far, I just don't know what advantages/disadvantages each company's offerings really provide.  Am I over-thinking things? Would that itx form factor be worth it? I can afford the extra 40$, and size wise would prefer having the smaller card, but other than saving 40$ would I be better off with another version?

 

Probably the best blower style one you can get is EVGA SC.

 

The FT03 supposedly supports cards up to 10'' long, and the SC is going to be shorter than that.

 

Hell, my ASUS GTX 760 DirectCUII is under 10'' long.

 

EVGA's warranties are legendary, and it's going to have lower temps than the ITX style cards simply due to greater cooling surface area.

[andrepant]

It seemed that the answer was, and I'm paraphrasing here, "You're over-thinking things, go get your card and play some games, already"  I bought an msi 760 reference, as I found it for >40$ cheaper than the evga.  Only managed a few minutes of gameplay yesterday night, but man-oh-man.  As I said, I've never owned a discreet graphics card before (Though I use them a lot at work...not for gaming).  I feel like Neo: "I know kung-fu".