Watercooling a Reference GPU vs Non-reference GPU

[Marco Martinho]

Hello.

 

Long story short:

 

Is it worth buying a Non-reference PCB for watercooling? 

 

My guess would be that a reference PCB would be just fine, since the problem with most reference cards are temps. However, non-reference cards have more power delivery, different VRM etc... 

 

(If there are no substantial differences between them, I'll be glad to save some money by buying a reference PCB)

[Andi]

no it's all in the silicon lottery. My friend bought a GTX 780 Lightning and it overclocks 20Mhz...

[Butterfish]

If you can find a block within a decent price range for non-ref. PCB then go for it. It can only be better than reference with power delivery and such.

[Ghost]

You have a much bigger choice of waterblocks with a reference PCB.

[Rossco]

get a refrence pcb, with an aftermarket cooler

[nsyedhasan]

Depends which card you are going for. If you are getting a reference car you have a lot choice. If you get something like a DUCII or Lightning you will have to get a EK block.

[Marco Martinho]

no it's all in the silicon lottery. My friend bought a GTX 780 Lightning and it overclocks 20Mhz...

 

Yeah, im aware of the "lottery"... But keep in mind that (most) Non-ref cards already come OC'd.

 

If you can find a block within a decent price range for non-ref. PCB then go for it. It can only be better than reference with power delivery and such.

 

 

My guess is that both, ref and non-ref, will have the same price range, waterblock wise... 

You have a much bigger choice of waterblocks with a reference PCB.

 

Yeah, not only that, but I save money with a ref card...

[Marco Martinho]

Depends which card you are going for. If you are getting a reference car you have a lot choice. If you get something like a DUCII or Lightning you will have to get a EK block.

 

R9 290 

 

(EK was already on my mind  )

[nsyedhasan]

R9 290 

 

(EK was already on my mind  )

Look on EK's website to find blocks.

[Marco Martinho]

Look on EK's website to find blocks.

 

I believe that you didn't get the point of my topic  :lol:  Maybe I wasn't clear enough... 

Well, Im trying to understand if a Non-Reference PCB still has benefits over a reference card while watercooled.

[nsyedhasan]

Well, Im trying to understand if a Non-Reference PCB still has benefits over a reference card while watercooled.

Yes, the power delivery is better than reference.

[Butterfish]

I believe that you didn't get the point of my topic  :lol:  Maybe I wasn't clear enough... 

Well, Im trying to understand if a Non-Reference PCB still has benefits over a reference card while watercooled.

I've heard that the low overclocks on the 290 is due to the poor power delivery on the reference model.

[Marco Martinho]

I've heard that the low overclocks on the 290 is due to the poor power delivery on the reference model.

 

Well that is some usefull info... I hope its just coincidence (regarding the so called silicon lottery).

 

Linus on the other hand had a 290 which OC'd like a beast (Linus's vid about the reference 290)

[MonkeyFace]

Is it worth buying a Non-reference PCB for watercooling? 

 

The only immediately available R9 290/290X with Non-reference PCB layout is ASUS DirectCU II.