which 980 gpu should i get?

[InstructorZULU]

building a gaming rig!!!

  ASUS STRIX-GTX980-DC2OC-4GD5 GeForce GTX 980 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card EVGA 04G-P4-2986-KR GeForce GTX 980 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 SLI Support Video Card MSI GTX 980 GAMING 4G GeForce GTX 980 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support G-SYNC Support Video Card GIGABYTE GV-N980G1 GAMING-4GD GTX 980 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 HDCP Ready SLI Support G-SYNC Support Video Card

[RZeroX]

G1 gaming as it overclocks the best

[Si3Rra_7]

Depends on your case , maybe psu , your preference to silence or more power ....

[Johannes_Lazor]

You should get the one that fits the best with the colours in your rig Or/And the cheapest one.

The performance difference is only 2-7% between brands.

But generally this is what people say:

Gigabtge G1 - Best cooling

ASUS STRX - The most Quiet


The other brands are kinda inbetween.

[Butterfish]

The one you like the most? I think the G1 Gaming is the superior of that lot. 

[zappian]

Oh dear a 980 Q_Q

Consider getting this instead.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 295X2 8GB Devil 13 Video Card  ($587.57 @ Newegg) 

Total: $587.57

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-11 05:40 EDT-0400

 

If you really want to waste your money on a 980 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 980 4GB AMP! Extreme Edition Video Card  ($578.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $578.99

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-11 05:43 EDT-0400

 

Point of reference:

 

[InstructorZULU]

G1 gaming as it overclocks the best

i plan to dab into overclocking a lil bit. im just trying to max out the games for the best quality. im looking to spend 2k max on the tower alone!

[Butterfish]

You should get the one that fits the best with the colours in your rig Or/And the cheapest one.

The performance difference is only 2-7% between brands.

But generally this is what people say:

Gigabtge G1 - Best cooling

ASUS STRX - The most Quiet

The other brands are kinda inbetween.

You can make any GPU as quiet as the STRIX with this guide: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/275897-tutorial-how-to-make-your-980-970-have-a-0-fan-mode/page-2

 

I did it to my G1 Gaming and it's now dead silent at idle.

[Johannes_Lazor]

You can make any GPU as quiet as the STRIX with this guide: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/275897-tutorial-how-to-make-your-980-970-have-a-0-fan-mode/page-2

 

I did it to my G1 Gaming and it's now dead silent at idle.

Is it still as quiet as the STRIX during Load?

[1Scotty1]

Don't buy a 980, get two 970s or two R9 290s, that is far better performance over a single 980

[Butterfish]

Is it still as quiet as the STRIX during Load?

Dunno, but It's pretty quiet at load.

[InstructorZULU]

Don't buy a 980, get two 970s or two R9 290s, that is far better performance over a single 980

how so?

[1Scotty1]

how so?

Because two 970s can deliver up to 70-80% more performance over a single 980

[slightlyjaded]

G! is probably the best aftermarket card. I would however pay very close attention to how restrictive the airflow in your case is. If you've got something "silent" like a define R5, It'd be my opinion that a blower style cooler like the good old faithful reference would be a good buy. If you've got plenty of airflow then the G1 gaming might be the best for the money (yes I know a couple of 290x are cheaper, or even 2 970s, now go away)

 

Asus strix is a nice card, but any card can be made to run silent until an agreed apon heat level (which was asus's best selling point)

[InstructorZULU]

G! is probably the best aftermarket card. I would however pay very close attention to how restrictive the airflow in your case is. If you've got something "silent" like a define R5, It'd be my opinion that a blower style cooler like the good old faithful reference would be a good buy. If you've got plenty of airflow then the G1 gaming might be the best for the money (yes I know a couple of 290x are cheaper, or even 2 970s, now go away)

 

Asus strix is a nice card, but any card can be made to run silent until an agreed apon heat level (which was asus's best selling point)

the case im going with is Corsair Carbide Series Air 540 

[slightlyjaded]

Because two 970s can deliver up to 70-80% more performance over a single 980

Unless you're 4k gaming, unless the game doesn't have an SLI profile, oh and you need a PSU that can deliver more power, and has more power cables.

Yes 2 970's (or 2 290x's) will probably beat a single 980 in almost any situation......almost. However you will be limited when you upgrade later.

 

Please note this is just my opnion, and It's well noted that I'm an opnionated A**hole. I can't recommend a single 980 as a "best buy" but if it works for you it simplifies a lot of things later down the line.

[slightlyjaded]

the case im going with is Corsair Carbide Series Air 540 

So airflow isn't really an issue as long as you've got enough fans, or don't mind cranking them up a bit(with fewer)

[1Scotty1]

Unless you're 4k gaming, unless the game doesn't have an SLI profile, oh and you need a PSU that can deliver more power, and has more power cables.

Yes 2 970's (or 2 290x's) will probably beat a single 980 in almost any situation......almost. However you will be limited when you upgrade later.

 

Please note this is just my opnion, and It's well noted that I'm an opnionated A**hole. I can't recommend a single 980 as a "best buy" but if it works for you it simplifies a lot of things later down the line.

 

 

Welp... I don't know if 4K DSR counts, but I am doing it plus my 850W PSU provides more than enough power second plus - I don't see myself upgrading any time soon

[slightlyjaded]

Welp... I don't know if 4K DSR counts, but I am doing it plus my 850W PSU provides more than enough power second plus - I don't see myself upgrading any time soon

lol, different strokes for different folks. I built mine with upgrades built into it. (seriously no one "needs" a 980) But I do want a second 980 at some point, and even with just 1 I can still push 550W without going into seriously psychotic voltages.

 

Most power supplies have enough leads for 2 970's today, especially if you're running both 6 pin connectors off 1 lead (not recommended if you start pushing the card with overclock, but easy enough with maxwell if you're running stock speeds)

[InstructorZULU]

lol, different strokes for different folks. I built mine with upgrades built into it. (seriously no one "needs" a 980) But I do want a second 980 at some point, and even with just 1 I can still push 550W without going into seriously psychotic voltages.

 

Most power supplies have enough leads for 2 970's today, especially if you're running both 6 pin connectors off 1 lead (not recommended if you start pushing the card with overclock, but easy enough with maxwell if you're running stock speeds)

 

 

Welp... I don't know if 4K DSR counts, but I am doing it plus my 850W PSU provides more than enough power second plus - I don't see myself upgrading any time soon

check this out what do yall think 

[slightlyjaded]

check this out what do yall think 

I think AC unity is always going to be a bad example to use. Unity isn't really restricted by the hardware at the moment (at least for current gen stuff) It's currently restricted in a large amount by directX 11.

[1Scotty1]

check this out what do yall think 

What is it about? I am at work - youtube blocked

[slightlyjaded]

BTW I think that little display of framerate, and frame response highlight's my point. A single 980 stuttered about 10% of the time when everything else was having issues.

 

I make no secret of the fact that I love my 980 (single reference card) If 2 970's or 2 290x makes more sense to you. (fiscally, or performance wise) You should buy that card.

 

970/980 cards draw very little power, have very low temperatures, and deliver a serious punch. However atm there isn't anything on the market that can beat a 290x(or a pair of them) for bang for your buck.

[InstructorZULU]

What is it about? I am at work - youtube blocked

they ran them head to head and it was anywhere from 5- 20 fps ahead so not by much 

 

what is better for triple monitors?

[slightlyjaded]

What is it about? I am at work - youtube blocked

video comparing framerates, and response times for various games with 970's, and 980's both solo, and in sli.