Is this a good choice for Mini-ITX / HTPC?
PC setup:
Gigabyte Z97N Wifi Mini-ITX
Intel core i7 4770K
16GB 2400Mhz DDR3
Thermaltake Core V1 Extreme Mini ITX
It's tiny !
Ok it's installed, temps / noise?
IDLE 24C
LOAD 57C
'Load temp tested in Furmark'
IDLE:
LOAD:
Card clocks down as low as 135/202 and is inaudible during desktop use / movie playback.
Can't hear the card over the PSU fan etc during gaming (Even Overclocked).
This is a very quiet card.
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3DMARK 11
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Gaming Performance:
Dying Light: Balanced setting @ 1440P
40fps average with some dips to low 30fps and highs up to 50fps.
This game is surprisingly playable at 1440P with balanced setting, game looks really nice and although does not give solid 60fps even at 40FPS it feels fluid enough to be enjoyable. This game as come a long way with latest patch drivers from Nvidia.
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Far Cry 4: Medium / High setting @ 1080P
50fps average with some dips to low 30/40fps and highs up to 60fps.
This game can cripple the card at 1440P so have to drop down to 1080P to make it enjoyable with medium / high setting, game looks good and runs well enough to be enjoyable.
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Grey Goo: High preset '3' @ 1440P
60fps solid on High preset '3'
Set to preset 3 for solid 60fps @ 1440P.
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Battlefield 4: Medium preset @ 1440P
60fps solid on medium preset @ 1440P. 1080P can enable mix of high / ultra settings for 60fps average.
60fps solid on medium preset, can add higher settings but will result in small fps drops here and there. For 1440P medium is the sweet spot imho, looks and runs great. At 1080P can enable mix of high / ultra settings.
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Early thoughts.. With the inclusion of Witcher 3 game code, and at around £150 for a GTX 960, these are now good value budget cards. It has performed beyond my expectation so far, temps are excellent and is whisper quiet.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18661085