Best reference 980 Ti

[ryyo96]

Hi everyone.

The GPU that I am getting for my gaming build has gone out of stock just as I was about to order it. I was going to get the Gigabyte Nvidia GTX 980 Ti. There are other cards there like MSI, EVGA and PNY (Which I have never heard of). There is obviously the Gigabyte card also. They are all the reference designs so which one should I go for it should I wait for the Gigabyte card to be back in stock? Which will be the best performance, low noise level. I know I really should get a non reference card but I am getting everything off amazon and I can't find one.

[The Mahano]

Wait for the MSI Custom Cooler to come in stock

[Nup]

If you're looking for performance its certainly best to wait for a custom cooler model to be back in stock (they're all pretty great). 

 

I dont think that a specific brand's reference card is better then another, in that case look more for which company has the best support and the likes., 

[Glenwing]

All the reference cards are the same. None is better than another.

[AdamH96]

If you have to buy a reference card, go with the one with better warranty, customer support, easiest to RMA, and cheaper (their all built exactly the same).

[ryyo96]

Wait for the MSI Custom Cooler to come in stock

Would you mind linking me to one please?

[ryyo96]

If you're looking for performance its certainly best to wait for a custom cooler model to be back in stock (they're all pretty great).

I dont think that a specific brand's reference card is better then another, in that case look more for which company has the best support and the likes.,

Could you link me to one with a custom cooler that you would recommend please.

[ryyo96]

Wait for the MSI Custom Cooler to come in stock

This one?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00ZPEAFXI/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1435170000&sr=8-3π=AC_SX200_QL40&keywords=980+ti&dpPl=1&dpID=514IRtMrTVL&ref=plSrch

[The Mahano]

This one?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00ZPEAFXI/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1435170000&sr=8-3π=AC_SX200_QL40&keywords=980+ti&dpPl=1&dpID=514IRtMrTVL&ref=plSrch

Yes .

[Nup]

Could you link me to one with a custom cooler that you would recommend please.

Certainly. All of the main ones are pretty good. Personally I like Asus' strix or DirectCU2 models. Also Gigabyte makes some good cards. The Windforce one comes to mind. Evga, MSI, all good.

To be honest it depends on the model, what you're looking to do and the price! If you're looking to overclock a good bit it could be worth buying one with a custom PCB. That can help with features like stability, through power delivery. And also have better component quality. Although strictly speaking it's not "necessary", a very nice add on though.

If you're not overclocking, then a non custom PCB will probably save you some nice few bobs. For example Sapphire have two coolers for the 290s; their vapour-x and their tri-x coolers. One of which has a custom PCB. Hope, this helps. Feel free to ask anything else or around the forums if you'd like, lovely bunch here. There is lots of good reading out there too!

[maizenblue]

In typical ASUS fashion, they price their 980 ti reference higher than the others for no other reason than it says ASUS on the box, and of course its the one thats always sold out.

 

Fanboys....*sighs and shakes head.

[Lenidar]

I want a reference 980 ti cooler just for looks though... Just hope, considering the price, they'd put a damn back plate...

[gregderome]

I'd go with EVGA card, for the customer service, warranty, ability to step-up, great RMA process etc.. Otherwise any reference card will be pretty much the same.

[maizenblue]

I think what he's asking is are all the reference cards EXACTLY the same? Is the vram, PCB, etc completely indistinguishable between say a PNY or an EVGA with the exact same performance and lifespan? Is there ANY difference in quality?

 

Obviously the warranty and customer service varies somewhat by company. The software it comes with might vary as well, but that's irrelevant as anyone can download MSI afterburner or EVGA's precision X.