GPU - blower or open-air?

[SomethingOrOtherThing]

Case - CoolerMaster N200 (window-side) - it's not too big inside.

GPU - GTX 770 Palit (open-air cooler)

Insides look similar to this:

 

I'm planning to upgrade my current GTX 770 to a 1070 in a few months.

My issue is that the GPU blows a lot of heat inside the case, and while under maximum load, it stays at 80 degrees - and you can feel the heat from the top case-fan.

As the CPU is cooled by an H100, with the radiator placed in the front side - it's not requiring a lot of air to keep it under control. 

So the case doesn't have too much fresh air going in and isn't fully capable of venting the heat out - thus the GPU isn't as effective.

 

So my question is - should I get a more powerful GTX 1070 (for example Zotac AMP! or STRIX) with open-air cooling and hope that:

- the lower power usage on it would make it be more productive in my case.

- hope that the strong coolers on it would be effective enough to take away the heat.

- make a minor OC to compensate the throttling.

Or should I get a Blower-style cooled card like ASUS Turbo or a Founder Edition and let it vent to the back of the case.

 

The price difference is basically a non-issue  (Asus Turbo $410 and Zotac AMP! and STRIX are about $430).

[elago]

I say get an open air quiet card and overclock it anyways. Do you have enough fans to get the hot air out of the case?

[SomethingOrOtherThing]

5 minutes ago, elago said:

I say get an open air quiet card and overclock it anyways. Do you have enough fans to get the hot air out of the case?

Top case-fan and the back case-fan.

From what I've read - it should be enough. But when i was playing Witcher 3 for a few hours - that load made the insides quite warm indeed.

[Mick Naughty]

I'll always buy Titan blower versions. Unless I want a better pcb when I water cool. Open air isn't worth it in any way to me. Just as loud, horrible in any kind of sli and thus the cooling isn't a perk. 

[SomethingOrOtherThing]

1 minute ago, Mick Naughty said:

I'll always buy Titan blower versions. Unless I want a better pcb when I water cool. Open air isn't worth it in any way to me. Just as loud, horrible in any kind of sli and thus the cooling isn't a perk. 

What do you mean by "Tital blower versions"?

[Mick Naughty]

Just now, FIXXX said:

What do you mean by "Tital blower versions"?

The metal version. 

[SomethingOrOtherThing]

Just now, Mick Naughty said:

The metal version. 

So the actual founder's edition - not the partner cards?

But partners sell Founder's Editions too, are those just using the FE cooling and their own boards?

[Mick Naughty]

I wouldn't by the plastic blower version. That's what I'm saying. Aslong as it has a Titan blower on it I would use it. As for the specific manufacturer, that's on you. 

[SomethingOrOtherThing]

Just now, Mick Naughty said:

I wouldn't by the plastic blower version. That's what I'm saying. Aslong as it has a Titan blower on it I would use it. As for the specific manufacturer, that's on you. 

Going to have to make sure of that I guess. Thanks

[SomethingOrOtherThing]

Just now, Mick Naughty said:

I wouldn't by the plastic blower version. That's what I'm saying. Aslong as it has a Titan blower on it I would use it. As for the specific manufacturer, that's on you. 

Going to have to make sure of that I guess. Thanks

[Mick Naughty]

It's pretty clear which is which. Either it's black and crappy looking or white, not sure which the 1070 offer. Or it looks great and it's black and silver with a green lit  led. 

[SomethingOrOtherThing]

2 minutes ago, Mick Naughty said:

It's pretty clear which is which. Either it's black and crappy looking or white, not sure which the 1070 offer. Or it looks great and it's black and silver with a green lit  led. 

This answered the question of whether FE from different manufacturers are the same card.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nvidia/comments/4kpqh3/stupid_question_are_founders_edition_cards_the/

 

Nvidia didn't make it really obvious. 

PS: 1070 uses the same cooler as 1080.

[jonathan13]

I would most definitely suggest an open air push fan configuration in your situation. On your setup, any blower design card would be hotter and louder. I am sure I will have people disagree with me, but I have owned 4 different Pascal GPU's so far and my setup was very similar to yours. Good luck with your decision either way! You will enjoy the boost in performance for sure.

[Mick Naughty]

Supposedly the nvidia version is the best, quality wise. That's their selling point anyway. 

[Mick Naughty]

Supposedly the nvidia version is the best, quality wise. That's their selling point anyway. 

[jonathan13]

Just now, Mick Naughty said:

Supposedly the nvidia version is the best, quality wise. That's their selling point anyway. 

It does seem as though the FE cards are hitting above 2.1ghz more frequently, but ultimately it really only gives around a 3% difference in performance which isn't really noticeable in the real world.

[jonathan13]

Just now, Mick Naughty said:

Supposedly the nvidia version is the best, quality wise. That's their selling point anyway. 

It does seem as though the FE cards are hitting above 2.1ghz more frequently, but ultimately it really only gives around a 3% difference in performance which isn't really noticeable in the real world.

[jonathan13]

The double post strikes again!! For both of us! lol 

[SomethingOrOtherThing]

*sigh* It's really not that obvious which way I should go.

Seems like i'll have to make a split-second decision with money in-hand. Especially that the price will go down a bit at that point.

[Mick Naughty]

Yea I bought a strix 1080 as I wanted to overclock a bit but I'm about to return it and prolly get a evga or nvidia 1080 fe. 

[jonathan13]

Take a poll and see what a larger segment of people think.

[SomethingOrOtherThing]

Just now, jonathan13 said:

Take a poll and see what a larger segment of people think.

I hoped to get a strong argument for or against something. 

The poll would be fun for me, but ultimately not too useful in making a choice

Thanks! 

[jonathan13]

Just now, FIXXX said:

I hoped to get a strong argument for or against something. 

The poll would be fun for me, but ultimately not too useful in making a choice

Thanks! 

Find me some people to argue with and I will argue all day long!  hahaha jk.

 

If you are truly this torn between the two configurations, why not purchase both from a retailer that would allow you to return one without penalty? 

[SomethingOrOtherThing]

6 minutes ago, jonathan13 said:

Find me some people to argue with and I will argue all day long!  hahaha jk.

 

If you are truly this torn between the two configurations, why not purchase both from a retailer that would allow you to return one without penalty? 

The cheapest 1070 here is 630$ or more - if you want a warranty with your purchase.

And the return policy is similar to pulling teeth, doesn't matter if the box was opened or not, or in what state the product is. Risky and hugely expensive.

While I can get a 1070 for 430$ + ~20% VAT = ~520 - from amazon (+~10$ delivery)

[jonathan13]

Ahhh.. I didn't realize you were not in the US. I apologize for missing that. I hate that the rest of the world seems to get burned on PC prices. I will say that other countries do win the title of having much better automobiles than the US though.