What is the best reference 980Ti for watercooling?

[Mysterae_]

What is the best reference 980Ti when it comes to watercooling? I'm looking at getting two of them very soon and would normally jump at the EVGA reference SC version, but the £200 premium that 2 have over the cheapest of reference models is difficult to justify.

The length of warranty and the manufacturer's attitude to removing the stock cooler to fit a water block are important considerations to me.

It has to be a reference model - this may sound odd since I'll be watercooling almost immediately, but there is a reason .

 

[Geeman1979]

Just grab a couple of these.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-212-OK&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1402

If push comes to shove and you do end up having to RMA at some point, as long as you re-fit the stock cooler/coolers and they don't look like they've been under a bus you'll be fine.

 

[Mysterae_]

Just grab a couple of these.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-212-OK&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1402

If push comes to shove and you do end up having to RMA at some point, as long as you re-fit the stock cooler/coolers and they don't look like they've been under a bus you'll be fine.

Cheers for the quick reply. Are OCUK okay with the stock cooler removal? I know some manufacturers put those pesky tamper stickers on certain screws.

 

[Geeman1979]

It's been mentioned in the past they're fine with it although not openly advertised has such. As for the tamper sticker on one of the screws, hang fire, I'm sure someone who's bought one will pop into the thread and confirm whether they have one or not.

 

[savagesam117]

Speak to amigafan is it? He's watercooled his OcUK reference card. I can check if my gigabyte card has them if it's any use?

 

[Geeman1979]

Speak to amigafan is it? He's watercooled his OcUK reference card. I can check if my gigabyte card has them if it's any use?

Yea some come with them some don't. As long as you don't butcher the cooler or screws when dismantling card, the manufacturer will be none the wiser.

 

[oldestgregg]

I contacted Bailey regarding the removal of my stock cooler on the TX and was told the warranty is null and void should I do so

 

[savagesam117]

Isn't it just as cheap to buy the tech labs one? Which is like £650?

 

[Geeman1979]

Isn't it just as cheap to buy the tech labs one? Which is like £650?

£630

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-125-TL&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1402

 

[nashathedog]

Zotac. Has a 5 year warranty which I presume will be fine as long as you put it back together carefully and haven't abused it in some way.

 

[Mysterae_]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I should have mentioned that I'll be overclocking the cards too, if that makes a difference to the reference models available. That's the reason why I was interested in the EVGA SC, it's usually a good overclocker and EVGA don't mind you removing the stock cooler.

I've heard MSI don't mind either so that's an option.

Are all 980Ti's a matter of the silicon lottery or do the odds particularly favor a certain manufacturer?

 

[Geeman1979]

Silicon Lottery, all the reference will perform roughly the same.

 

[Strife212]

The reference cards are literally all the same.