Performance between reference and non-reference

[HeathCliff]

Sup again guys 

 

After sorting out the ordeal of which GPU setup I should go for, I decided on going with the 7970 (instead of 2 EVGA 650 ti Boost SC). I decided on going with the stock Sapphire HD 7970 as it was one of the cheapest in that area. But my question is: Will there be a significant difference if i were to use a reference board as compared to a non-reference board after watercooling.  

 

Both will be using the exact same waterblock and will be clocked as high as possible. 

 

Looking forward to your responses :D

[Mo5]

There shouldn't be any difference. Except if the card has a redesigned power delivery system.

[HeathCliff]

That's good to know. Well time to save up for a second 7970. 

[Stav Kats]

Great choice of getting 1 high-end card than 2 low-end. The 7970 Ghz edition is your best choice, it smokes everything in single GPU performance(apart Titan and GTX 780). I would recommend getting the Sapphire Vapor-X edition, but if it is too expensive for you get something like XFX Double D. Highly recommended.

Hope it helped.

 

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/768?vs=827

[felixbearpig]

Non-referance blocks are very few. To be safe get referance

[everything count to life]

I would get a reference because there barely any non reference waterblocks.

[PBaines]

If you are wanting to watercool your GPU's ever, try to always get Reference designed boards. They are certain to have a FC block, where as very few non-reference boards do. All though there might be a block. It might be an ugly one.

 

I had this issue with getting a 4GB GTX 680 FTW edition. Only after getting it did I realise that it was non-reference and the EK block for it (to me) was hideous!

[HeathCliff]

I've been using EK's Cooling config to find out which waterblocks will be compatible with the gpu's stated. I haven't mentioned this before, but my budget on the gpu is £280.  

 

Here are the results. The only 2 that fall into this category is the XFX 7970 1000M Black edition and the Sapphire 7970. Keep in mind that I my build is black and red so the XFX version might seem to contradict the color scheme. Also, it might take around a year before I have the necessary money to w/c and in that time, I will be constantly looking at the gpu though the 350d...so it has to look good.

 

http://www.coolingconfigurator.com/step1_complist?gpu_gpus=573

 

http://www.coolingconfigurator.com/step1_complist?gpu_gpus=572

 

I will be getting a nickel/acetel block as well as a backplate. So it's pretty much down to this: Which board is better?

[Ghost]

The black edition card will be quieter because of the dual fan design. Bear in mind that in a year it may cost less to sell your card and get a 89X0 card and get better performance.

[HeathCliff]

I doubt any 8k series card will be around £280. Also, going back to the original topic, I was inquiring about the performance results between the cards after w/cooling. But thank you for the thought.

[Ghost]

I doubt any 8k series card will be around £280. Also, going back to the original topic, I was inquiring about the performance results between the cards after w/cooling. But thank you for the thought.

Performance wise I think only very expensive cards like the 7970 matrix give any real performance benefit. You should probably go to the graphics section to get more accurate info.

 

What I was implying is that the cost of the water-block for the card plus the sale price of the card will be higher then a card of similar or better performance. Defiantly if you have to buy all your water cooling components from scratch for it as well.