Final GPU decision

[kcchi]

MSI GTX 780 Lightning Ediiton VS Asus GTX 780 DirectCUii

 

I'm going to watercool whatever I'm getting so i don't really care about the cooler. They are right now about the same price, the lightning being 5$ cheaper due to a mail-in rebate. I'm just not sure if I'll need the extra features that this card offers. I will be overclocking but not an extreme amount. Aesthetically, I'd prefer Asus' card and backplate. The lightning has blue leds all over the back of the pcb + the reactor which isn't as clean as I'd like to. I didn't find an aftermarket backplate for the lightning but there's one for the DCii card. Also, MSI's card do require 2-8pin rather than 8+6 but I probably won't ever use that power. 

 

ASUS:

Pros: aesthetics, require less power, more suitable for my needs

Cons: slightly more expensive

 

MSI:

Pros: slightly cheaper, great performance and power delivery design

Cons: aesthetics, requires more power, probably won't use all the features available (it'll be a waste on me)

 

Which one should I go for? I do want Nvidia's holiday bundle which ends in 5 days

I could also get a reference card for around 25$ cheaper but since the price difference isn't that much, I'd rather go for a better card. Thanks guys

[Askew]

On a 780 I'd go for a reference EVGA card, warranty covers watercooling/modification and overclocking so long as you reverse changes in the event of an RMA, and the stock power design is capable of any overclocking you want to do on that particular card.

An added bonus is you will be able to fit the widest range of waterblocks to the card, this will give you added options for your look, plus you can always order a backplate to fit it if that's what you like!

[TheMissxu]

That's a tough one! I voted MSI though.

 

Keep in mind, the Cu2 might run a little quieter and the core cooler.

[Askew]

Keep in mind, the Cu2 might run a little quieter and the core cooler.

He said he is going to watercool so the cooler doesn't matter.

[kcchi]

On a 780 I'd go for a reference EVGA card, warranty covers watercooling/modification and overclocking so long as you reverse changes in the event of an RMA, and the stock power design is capable of any overclocking you want to do on that particular card.

An added bonus is you will be able to fit the widest range of waterblocks to the card, this will give you added options for your look, plus you can always order a backplate to fit it if that's what you like!

The reference EVGA card I'm able to obtain is as expensive as the other two. The only reference card that would make sense in terms of money is the Zotac one, at around 25$ cheaper

[TheMissxu]

He said he is going to watercool so the cooler doesn't matter.

Mmm, a reference card would do fine.

[Askew]

The reference EVGA card I'm able to obtain is as expensive as the other two. The only reference card that would make sense in terms of money is the Zotac one, at around 25$ cheaper

 

The only difference between the reference cards is what the box looks like, Warranty policy and RMA procedure, the PCB will be the same design.

In UK where I live you can often find ReturnToBase warranties on Zotac cards, if you can find that where you are then go with that, you won't have to deal with Zotac.

[FernandoTeixeira]

if you are going to wc it, doesn't really matter. Both are good... and if you are thinking about it because of OC , it's lottery ...so I would suggest the cheaper one. backplate + block and aesthetics will be completely changed.

[Lays]

Idk if theyve made a lightning waterblock yet, so dcu2 or reference evga for warranty

[BYOGamingPC]

+1 for the ASUS Direct CU II GTX 780

[That Norwegian Guy]

Lightning for unlocked voltage

[Jumper118]

under water the lightning should pull ahead and you should be able to get some high clocks out of it. 

[Face2Face]

 I have to say I love my reference card. It's pure sexy and surprisingly not very loud even @ 70% fan speeds.  My old Accelero @ 100% = My GTX 780 @ 70%.  Of course the two options you listed are much better cooling solutions and would be better to overclock with, but Im just saying...