What makes the same model GPU better than another

[Anthony10]

Obviously I know that the cooler is a factor, but are there any actual differences in some cards? I ask this because I plan to buy and watercool a 780 ti soon. Some insight would be great!

[Erik4boss]

I'd get the cheapest and then watercool it.

[Volbet]

I know in the old days, some vendors used higher binned chips then others. However I don't think this is the case anymore. But please enlighten me if this is still being done.

 

Most manufactures sell their cards with a factory overclock. So they guarantee that the card will run at a higher speed (Though overclocking to a higher speed is not guaranteed). And if you are going to watercool I suggest going with a reference PCB.

To conclude. I don't think there is a big difference between manufactures these days, other then then how high the factory overclock is, and what cooler they are using. So my advice would just be to get the cheapest card available.

 

Edit: Some manufactures also offer better warranties and some will even replace a card eventhough you removed the cooler.

[DBells94]

PCB desing powerphases facotry oc'd and all that kind of stuff some overclock better than others but its the almost the same deal unless for example a k|ngp|n 780ti which is ofc made for overclocking

[iNothing]

Warrenty, Brand name, Customer support

[Oshino Shinobu]

Some cards have custom PCBs and things like better power phases. Some very high overclocked cards are binned, so you get a better chip. You can also get better support and services from the board maker. EVGA is probably considered the best in terms of warranty and customer service. 

[Rheinwasser]

i would go for an evga card. if you ever have to stop watercooling, you can use their acx cooler and they will rma your card even if you took off the cooler.

[Student]

The chips themselfs are different, because of manufacturing tollerances.
The GK110 is a 28nm a Silicon Atom has a diameter of 110pm, so there are only 255 Atoms in one layer.

Some Chips have more accurate Transistors inside than others, which gives you more overclockability.

It is alway a lottery, you can get a reference card that overclocks like a beast, and you can get a factory overclocked card that does not clock alot higher.

Some Costum Cards have the advantage of a better power delivery, which helps with very high overclocks.

And preinstalled watercold cards come with a warranty.

[Tam3n]

If you are going to water cool, just get the reference design... Also custom PCBs need custom water blocks.

[GuideMe002]

Factory overclock(boost) , Warranty , Customer Support , Brand and also Cooling(Fan)

[BrightCandle]

Once you get away from the reference designs they do all sorts of things. They change quite a few things:

- the power circuitrycan support a lot more consumption with improved VRMs

- put higher quality capacitors that don't degrade as rapidly

- Tighter tolerance resistors

- Shorter memory bus traces

- More copper in the traces for better cooling and stronger signals

- Might even include extra power plugs (2 8pin instead of a 6 +8)

 

The end result is meant to produce a better overclocking card. Sometimes they really do achieve that and sometimes they don't. The problem has always been that these special cards come with a different layout, so you need to find a water block specifically for that card. The watercooling block manufacturers typically focus on reference cards because the watercoolers tend to want the cards as soon as they come out when no aftermarket OEM special cards become available, then they only bother to make a block for a card that is proven to be better and that enthusiasts are clamouring for waterblocks for. So you need to do your research on available water blocks if you intend to buy a card that isn't reference or doesn't have a waterblock already attached.