Is there a huge difference between the 980's?

[johnnyTheMac]

Hello, 

 

I am looking at the different 980's, i.e. Gigabyte G1, EVGA 980 SC AND EVGA 980 FTW. Are the factory overclocks worth the price? Will I see a performance, settings or FPS difference between the 3 at 1080p @ 60? (I know many say it is overkill, but I don't care) I have always owned Gigabyte cards, so I am kind of biased.

 

Here are the speeds:

 

Gigabyte 980 G1:

Core Clock

1228 MHz

Boost Clock

1329 MHz

 

Memory

Effective Memory Clock

7010MHz

 

 

EVGA 980 SC:

Core Clock

1266 MHz

Boost Clock

1367 MHz

 

EVGA 980 FT

Core Clock

1279 MHz

Boost Clock

1380 MHz

 

Memory

Effective Memory Clock

7010 MHz

 

Thank you in advance for your response.

[BrandonTheCat]

You won't see a *HUGE* difference in FPS Performance but its "noticeable", and you will definitely notice cooling performance between the cards. 

[GuruMeditationError]

To be honest not really. You're best off just going for the one that has more features (or the features you want) in the compatible software (if it has any) or the one that'll best match the look of your computer.

[pwn_intended]

a 50mhz overclock on those speeds isnt very noticeable, and chances are good that you would be able to oc the G1 card close to or higher than the speeds of the EVGA cards (and by that logic you should be able to further push the EVGA cards by a bit, but I digress)

Choose whichever one of them you like according to looks, cooling capabilities and noise. The differences in clock speed are trivial.

[Aniallation]

Gigabyte G1 is cherry-picked chip

[johnnyTheMac]

Thank you everyone for your responses!

Gigabyte G1 is cherry-picked chip

What do you mean by this?

 

I really dig the Gigabyte card, as my PC has Gigabyte components, is white and blue and I have always had great luck with Gigabyte cards.

[Aniallation]

What do you mean by this?

The Gigabyte G1 cards have GPU chips that are specifically picked off the assembly line to be good at overclocking. As a result, with the G1 you are much more likely to do well in the silicon lottery compared to other 980s.

 

I've never heard of a single G1 970/980 that's done bad in the silicon lottery, including mine. 

[johnnyTheMac]

The Gigabyte G1 cards have GPU chips that are specifically picked off the assembly line to be good at overclocking. As a result, with the G1 you are much more likely to do well in the silicon lottery compared to other 980s.

 

I've never heard of a single G1 970/980 that's done bad in the silicon lottery, including mine. 

That is good to know. So, I suppose since you have one, these are pretty good cards, right lol?  I think that I am going to go with the Gigabyte. 

[swifty7]

go with EVGA, their replacement warranty is second to none.  Zero out of pocket policy.  Sometimes they might even send you a better card like it happened to me.  For my second gtx 670 ftw replacement, they sent me the gtx 670SC 4gb edition with backplate and it has been working like a charm till this day (knock on wood).  

 

I will always go with evga for the peace of mind.

[Aniallation]

That is good to know. So, I suppose since you have one, these are pretty good cards, right lol?  I think that I am going to go with the Gigabyte. 

Mine's been absolutely excellent. I haven't tried overclocking it yet though, because I would get little benefit unless I upgrade my CPU first.

[GuruMeditationError]

The Gigabyte G1 cards have GPU chips that are specifically picked off the assembly line to be good at overclocking. As a result, with the G1 you are much more likely to do well in the silicon lottery compared to other 980s.

 

I've never heard of a single G1 970/980 that's done bad in the silicon lottery, including mine. 

 

But is it really reliable?

 

I mean I just got a G1 today and wasn't sure if I'd bother overclocking it.

 

Have they released info. on the overclock that can be expected?

[Aniallation]

But is it really reliable?

Is what reliable? The card itself? It's just as reliable as any other 970. You won't notice a difference in reliability between the Zotac and the Galax HOF unless you're doing LN2 overclocking or something.

 

 

Have they released info. on the overclock that can be expected?

No clue but there's plenty of people who have hit 1500+

[johnnyTheMac]

Is what reliable? The card itself? It's just as reliable as any other 970. You won't notice a difference in reliability between the Zotac and the Galax HOF unless you're doing LN2 overclocking or something.

 

 

No clue but there's plenty of people who have hit 1500+

Is that on stock voltage?

[GuruMeditationError]

Is what reliable? 

 

 

No clue but there's plenty of people who have hit 1500+

 

I mean the gauntlet sorting G1 thing. I got my GTX 580 Superoverclocked up to 30% over stock (including the factory overclock) but that was with more voltage and water-cooling.

 

Just wondering if Gigabyte have released data on that (I've not really looked into it).

 

Is that on stock voltage?

^ also this.

[Aniallation]

Is that on stock voltage?

of course not. lol

[johnnyTheMac]

of course not. lol

Hell, I don't know lol...told you I am a novice.

 

Do you think I can get SC and FTW clocks on the G1 with stock voltage?

[Aniallation]

Do you think I can get SC and FTW clocks on the G1 with stock voltage?

Definitely. However if you want to get far past that you'll want more voltage (or just turn up power limit)

[johnnyTheMac]

Definitely. However if you want to get far past that you'll want more voltage (or just turn up power limit)

Nah...I am fine with that sort of slight overclock. How would I go about doing it? Is there a tool for Gigabyte? Is it relatively easy?

[Aniallation]

Nah...I am fine with that sort of slight overclock. How would I go about doing it? Is there a tool for Gigabyte? Is it relatively easy?

Just use MSI Afterburner, best GPU OC tool imo

[johnnyTheMac]

Just use MSI Afterburner, best GPU OC tool imo

Thanks. It is as simple as just adjusting a slider?

[AMD FANBOI]

Yes.

[johnnyTheMac]

Great! I just ordered the Gigabyte G1 980. I just realized that it comes with a backplate, too. 

[GuruMeditationError]

Ultimately whether or not something's "Huge", at least in circumstances like this, is relative, but I'd say the best answer is no. I'd say the differences were minor, to the point of being negligible when measured against what it'll do for the aesthetics of your build. If they added more software functionality it might be a different matter but as it stands, it's best just to go for the one you like the look of and that will best suit the look of your system.

 

But one caveat, the Palit card has weird output connectors (mini-viewport and mini-hdmi etc.) so best to check that sort of stuff also when buying. That particular card is cheaper than the others but once you factor in the costs of tracking down and buying adapter cables for it you're better of just buying the slightly more expensive brand.

 

I've got a G1 970 (I got it reduced b-grade) and it's a great card (it just resonates like a tuning fork if I f@h with it (sorry: hyperbole (again: relative))). Looks really nice and has "Windforce" lit up in blue LED's along the side of its cooler. It's a nice thing to have but it makes my case look like a cheap piece of crap in comparison.  :rolleyes: