Need some help for future upgrade!

[Jonis]

So I've tried to google and searched the forums for some answeres, but I can't find anything. So I'm planning on buying a 780 when they are released to upgrade my 470 i have at the moment, so I have 2 

questions about what kind and brand of card i should get. Because I'm also planning on going watercooling later this summer, so the question is as follows:

 

1. Do I want a reference GPU or a non-reference GPU?  -Solved

 

2. What brand on the GPU do i want? EVGA, MSI, Asus?  -Solved

 

 

Because of the watercooling part, I'm a litle noobish at this. :)

 

 

 

And also, if i got everything right, the reference cards are the ones with "stock" cooling, right?

 

And I've heard that EVGA is good when it comes to watercooling, is that right?

 

 

Even tho we dont know if the 780's will be released later this month or not, I want to be prepared :)

 

Thanks in advance!

[vkadurin]

If you are going to water cool the GPU, i think it is better to get video card with reference PCB. It will be more easily to find water block and you will be sure that it will pass nicely.

[Jonis]

Got to love the fast response on this forum :D

 

Okey, thanks Vkadurin for the answer! :)

[ilikemacandpc]

Yes, it will be easier to find waterblocks for reference PCBs. Since you are going to be replacing the stock cooler, there is no reason to spend up on an aftermarket cooler. 

EVGA tends to make a lot of reference boards, so they would be a safe bet, but a reference card from either Asus or MSI would be fine. 

[hiyayhi]

If you go the water cooling route you definitely want a reference design card.

Because it is 'reference' it really doesn't matter what brand you get as they are all literally the same.

Yes the cards with the 'stock cooler' are generally reference.

 

When you go to buy the card you could always just post on the forums and we could help you :D

[XiaoPigs]

If you're going for non-reference cards I'd suggest going with an ASUS, MSI or Gigabyte card. EVGA's cards all use reference coolers which results in not as good overclocks as cards that use non-reference coolers. 

[Jonis]

Okey, Thanks for all the replies everyone!

So Reference PCB / GPU is the way to go for future water cooling, thanks for that answer.

And it does not realy matter what brand it is on the card.

Thanks alot!

Will probably need help with the water cooling later, but thats another chapter ;) first of is the 780 when its released then after the the Water cooling is the next step, hope to get alot of help then because it will be my first water cooled system! :)


Loads of thanks!
// Jonis