What is truly a reference card?

[Wiggly Jiggles]

Hi Techies!

 

This may seem very nooby, but I need to be sure. I'm getting dual gtx 770's and are water cooling them, the backplate and waterblock will only work on reference PCB's - as expected.

 

Does a reference PCB refer to ONLY this:

Or can it be other card? Like this:

If reference doesn't just mean the NVidia branded one (as they're impossible to find), can I get a list of reference PCB's, to buy from?

[HirgaLTTki]

It can be on other cards, but since you are WC them just get the one with the reference cooler, dont bother spending more on other cards as you can OC them yourself

 

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 Windforce 3X OC has a reference PCB

[Godlygamer23]

A reference card in its entirety would include the cooler and the PCB.

[Shikarikato]

A reference card in its entirety would include the cooler and the PCB.

Not necessarily, as long as the PCB isnt changed you can throw the cooler where ever your heart desires if you're going to water cool. If the PCB is reference design you're all good.

http://www.coolingconfigurator.com/

That website does a wonderful job of letting you know. But why spend any more for an OC or a cooler if you won't need it due to you going on water regardless just find the one with the stock cooler because its going to be cheaper anyways.

[Wiggly Jiggles]

 

It can be on other cards, but since you are WC them just get the one with the reference cooler, dont bother spending more on other cards as you can OC them yourself

 

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 Windforce 3X OC has a reference PCB

 

Thanks; that card was in my list of possibles, it also have a 4GB version, so depending on the price when I order it.... Might get it

[Godlygamer23]

Not necessarily, as long as the PCB isnt changed you can throw the cooler where ever your heart desires if you're going to water cool. If the PCB is reference design you're all good.

I meant a truly reference card is one with the reference PCB and cooler. I was not saying anything about water cooling or any of that.

[HirgaLTTki]

Thanks; that card was in my list of possibles, it also have a 4GB version, so depending on the price when I order it.... Might get it

 

MSI, Palit and Asus use their own PCB so dont bother

[Wiggly Jiggles]

MSI, Palit and Asus use their own PCB so dont bother

That's Giggabyte, so is that PCB okay?

[HirgaLTTki]

That's Giggabyte, so is that PCB okay?

 

Yea

[beefalo]

Best place to find out if a card is using a reference pcb is http://www.coolingconfigurator.com/

[Wiggly Jiggles]

Best place to find out if a card is using a reference pcb is http://www.coolingconfigurator.com/

This is what came up, I presume this works for other people:

http://www.coolingconfigurator.com/waterblock/3831109868232#DB_inline?height=260&width=530&inline_id=comp_table

[beefalo]

Yep that is a reference block and it shows all of the card models that use a pcb that support it.  Some others like the msi you posted a pic of do not use the reference pcb and wouldn't work with that block.  If you find any card you want to check you can search it on that site and find out if it uses a reference pcb or not.  Another easy way to spot a non reference card is the display connectors.  For example if a 770 isn't using 2 dvi, hdmi, full displayport like the reference model then it probably isn't a reference pcb.