8Pack tests the EVGA GTX 980 Classified.

8 Pack · 24 Feb 2015 at 15:46

The EVGA GTX 980 Classified arrived on the scene some time ago. It has also become almost compulsory for EVGA to get rave reviews and some great benching results too.

EVGA Classified are always great for the XOC user as well as the gamer as they support XOC almost straight out of the box. Usually all u need to do is Visit Kingpins forum download a Bios. Flash this to the card and then use your EVbot to get an unlocked benching experience. Nothing different here. Flash card to LN2 bios, flash EVbot firmware away you go. With this card I must note you also needed version V5.2.6.3 of EVGA precision to get the best in terms of overclocking from it. Its essential also you enable K Boost so that the card is locked in 3D all the time and cold bugging memory is then not going to be an issue. For guys on not so exotic cooling K Boost still helps as the card is locked at boost frequency's even in 2D helping extract the last few mhz from the card when trying to attain a bench stable overclock.

Here we have the card set up to bench in a Z97 setup but I tested in both Z97 and X99 depending on the bench I was running.

Here we have the results:

3D 11 29327

HWBot link:http://hwbot.org/submission/2773312_8_pack_3dmark11___performance_geforce_gtx_980_29327_marks
GPU@2191/2165

3D Mark Firstrike Xtreme 10195

HWBot:http://hwbot.org/submission/2773316_8_pack_3dmark___fire_strike_extreme_geforce_gtx_980_10195_marks
GPU@ 2217/2225

Catzilla 720P World Record 48079

HWbot link:http://hwbot.org/submission/2773321_8_pack_catzilla___720p_geforce_gtx_980_48079_marks
GPU @ 2227/2225

3D mark 03 World Record 265531

HWbot link: http://hwbot.org/submission/2773318_8_pack_3dmark03_geforce_gtx_980_265531_marks
GPU@ 2160/2153

So letting the results do the talking we see the Classified is a very strong card indeed with two world records and two global second places for me. This card had very strong memory overclocking at upto 2225mhz or 8900mhz effectively and a great core too with upto 2227mhz being possible.

This section of the elite tier GPU is a very competitive one but the EVGA Classified is indeed as good as it gets and sits alongside the Galax HOF as my favorite 980 Card. I have no hesitation in recommending it.

UPDATE: Heaven Record:http://hwbot.org/submission/2780503_...e_gtx_980_6361 and Global Second in Firestrike added below:http://hwbot.org/submission/2780314_8_pack_3dmark___fire_strike_geforce_gtx_980_20920_marks

amazing card!!!

Geeman1979 · 24 Feb 2015 at 15:48

Well done on the Wr's

I've always rated the Classified breed even on Air.

Dicehunter · 24 Feb 2015 at 15:51

You need a video of you benching but with 70's porn music playing as this is pure nerd porn !

Kaapstad · 24 Feb 2015 at 16:13

Fantastic performance there.

What sort of clocks can the 980 Classified manage on Air/Water ?

8 Pack · 26 Feb 2015 at 15:18

I did not test this sample on air or water. Most I have seen are 1500-1600 on air core. Mems most are doing 2100+ air from what I have seen.

Neil79 · 26 Feb 2015 at 16:02

8 Pack said:
I did not test this sample on air or water. Most I have seen are 1500-1600 on air core. Mems most are doing 2100+ air from what I have seen.

This ^

My SC (non classified) is pushing near 1600/2000 on extra volts

Silent_Scone · 26 Feb 2015 at 16:20

Great cards. Missed the boat for me though personally. Too far from launch.

Awahwah · 26 Feb 2015 at 16:30

8 Pack said:
I did not test this sample on air or water. Most I have seen are 1500-1600 on air core. Mems most are doing 2100+ air from what I have seen.

I've tested mine up to 1550 on air but I've not had the time to push it any further and decided on the speed listed in my Sig as a daily runner - I'd really like to Game

.

This is one the 'normal' BIOS with no increase on Volts or Power. Great Card so far.

Awahwah · 26 Feb 2015 at 20:37

For those who are interested:

Just playing around some more with Classified and without any Voltage increase from 1.2v the best clocks I can get from it are 1559 Core and 4001 mem. Heaven below:

8 Pack · 27 Feb 2015 at 22:04

Yeah nice card for stock volts on air. Would probably do well on Ln2.

Awahwah · 27 Feb 2015 at 22:09

It won't go above those clocks though without more volts. Not sure I want to go that far though...but the bug may bite.

8 Pack · 3 Mar 2015 at 15:19

Further scores with Classified guys it just gets better and better!!

Heaven Single Card WR Classified @ 2210/2211

Screen shot:

Rig Pic:

HWbot link: http://hwbot.org/submission/2780503_8_pack_unigine_heaven___xtreme_preset_geforce_gtx_980_6361

and Firestrike Global Second Place Classified at 2227/2211 scoring 20920 marks

Screen Shot

Rig Pic:

HWbot link:http://hwbot.org/submission/2780314_8_pack_3dmark___fire_strike_geforce_gtx_980_20920_marks

Classy rolling out more records!!!

J.D · 4 Mar 2015 at 21:41

Well done 8pack.

What's next, LN2 extreme benchmarking inside an igloo at night in the heart of winter?.

Awahwah · 4 Mar 2015 at 21:51

Outer Space?! Just imagine -1000* to start with.

vsg28 · 4 Mar 2015 at 23:09

Going to try your hands on the 980 KPE next?

Neil79 · 4 Mar 2015 at 23:53

I'm more interested in what it can do on AIR

8 Pack · 5 Mar 2015 at 09:48

Awahwah said:
Outer Space?! Just imagine -1000* to start with.

Card cant run below -140 so this will not help. Yes hopefully KPE testing next and review posted on this forum. I will look at KPE on Air for sure as well as LN2.

ChrisD. · 5 Mar 2015 at 12:16

Is that board a SOC Force?

stulid · 5 Mar 2015 at 12:45

S2KIP said:
Is that board a SOC Force?

Its a Champion.