Define Nano S GPU choices

[Tiparium]

I have a Define Nano S, and I've been using it for quite some time. At the moment I have a 980ti EVGA classified in it, but I'm planning on upgrading to the 1180 or whatever the 80 of the next generation is. I have noticed that with my current setup however, my 980ti can get very hot. Not outside of spec, but still to the point that I'm not totally comfortable with it. I've heard that a blower style cooler can be better in a small form factor case, but I want to get information to verify this, because I've also seen videos where blower coolers easily exceed 85c or higher. My case may be small, but it has six fans, three pulling in three pushing out. I just need as much info as possible so I don't fry my GPU. Also, this is totally secondary to picking parts for thermal performance, but if thermals between a blower and an open air are within one to two degrees of each other, I'll take the blower simply because I find them much better looking.

 

This video is probably my biggest source of confusion.

 

[Shimejii]

980ti can get up to 80-85 pretty easily. You just have to make sure the card is cleaned out of dust often, and after 3 years id refresh the paste if you know how.

 

EVGA SC cards are HORRIBLE, maybe their FTW or Classifieds are better but the smaller 2 fan coolers will get to 85c Rather quickly, whereas my MSI 6G 980ti doesnt often get to above 80 ( only Warframe and ARK have gotten it above 76)

 

 

Airflow is rather important for these cards, i have NEVER been a fan of small cases that dont offer much airflow, they dont make any sense imo to hurt performance.

 

 

Also blower cards are fucking horrid 99% of the time, you just have a cheap shitty aftermarket cooler if its that close or your case is choked of any proper air even with the fans.

[Combustible Lemon]

I also have the Define Nano S, pair with Gigabyte 1080 Windforce - a 3-fans open card. One of the fans maybe somewhat block by the PSU, but there are two more free to breeze freely.
The card never exceed 60c. Note that i play at 2560x1080 75Hz (limited by v-sync), well below what the card is capable of. Also there are two 120mm fans right in front of the card.

 

[TVwazhere]

One suggestion would be to look into Hybrid cards; cards that have blower style fans for the VRM's and other components of the PCB, and a 120mm liquid cooler for the GPU die itself.