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VEGA GPU Decisions

cory21391
By cory21391
in Graphics Cards
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So I'm looking to purchase a Vega GPU (either 56 or 64) for my new PC build.  I want to water cool both the CPU and GPU down the road, and as it stands the only full cover blocks are designed for the reference boards.  The problem is they are now out of production and only the custom boards are being produced, so to get a reference card will probably cost more.  Of course, there's the option of buying a custom board card and hoping EKWB or someone will release a compatible full cover block for it eventually.  As far as 56 vs 64, I hear the Vega 56 can get close to Vega 64 performance with a bios flash, but I don't want to fuck it up and brick the card so I'm iffy about that, and I'm wondering if the extra money for the Vega 64 is worth it for performance increases.  So I'm looking for the pros and cons of these options.

 

-Vega 56 vs. Vega 64

-Reference board vs. Custom board for water cooling compatability

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13 minutes ago, cory21391 said:

So I'm looking to purchase a Vega GPU (either 56 or 64) for my new PC build.  I want to water cool both the CPU and GPU down the road, and as it stands the only full cover blocks are designed for the reference boards.  The problem is they are now out of production and only the custom boards are being produced, so to get a reference card will probably cost more.  Of course, there's the option of buying a custom board card and hoping EKWB or someone will release a compatible full cover block for it eventually.  As far as 56 vs 64, I hear the Vega 56 can get close to Vega 64 performance with a bios flash, but I don't want to fuck it up and brick the card so I'm iffy about that, and I'm wondering if the extra money for the Vega 64 is worth it for performance increases.  So I'm looking for the pros and cons of these options.

 

-Vega 56 vs. Vega 64

-Reference board vs. Custom board for water cooling compatability

Where on Earth are you going to find a Vega? They're all out of this world in terms of pricing or just outright out of stock.

 

 

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Just find one, and buy it. Their availability is so low, just getting one is hard enough. I havent got into pricing issues yet.

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Yeah I was thinking of the discussion being WITHOUT regards to the insane pricing right now...

Currently both the reference and custom PCB Vega 64 cards are around $1200, and I know its possible to get a Vega 56 for $850 when best buy has them (the XFX Double Ed).  Obviously in today's market, if its $850 Vega 56 vs $1200 Vega 64, the Vega 56 is the best choice, no question!  But I was strictly speaking without regard to this pricing fiasco.

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Flashing to 64 bios is really easy and there is a backup bios in case things go wrong . I would go with 56 ref and flash it . That is IF you can find one and at a reasonable price .  I was extremely fortunate to get one at £380 GBP   I really feel for you trying to buy one in today's market

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Well I probably won't have the extra money until next month, and I'm hoping prices go down closer to msrp....  The main thing really is whether or not I should get a reference card or custom card.  I would hate to get a custom board card and not be able to find a water block for it later this year.

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38 minutes ago, cory21391 said:

Well I probably won't have the extra money until next month, and I'm hoping prices go down closer to msrp....  The main thing really is whether or not I should get a reference card or custom card.  I would hate to get a custom board card and not be able to find a water block for it later this year.

If you're water cooling, go reference. That way you'll have 100% compatibility for water blocks. 

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That's what I was afraid of....  I know I've seen water blocks for custom boards before, for instance, EKWB has a full cover block for my EVGA 1070 FTW card, but I wasn't sure how common it is for blocks to be released for these custom PCB designs.  Also I was wondering. how do you tell which cards are reference boards or not?  I mean how do you know if Sapphire isn't using a reference board and just slapping on a better heatsink and fans vs. actually changing the board layout and thus making it incompatible with the reference water blocks?

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