• Competitor rules

    Please remember that any mention of competitors, hinting at competitors or offering to provide details of competitors will result in an account suspension. The full rules can be found under the 'Terms and Rules' link in the bottom right corner of your screen. Just don't mention competitors in any way, shape or form and you'll be OK.

Black & White GPUs

Cyanide

Cyanide

Cyanide

Soldato
Joined
5 Mar 2006
Posts
3,975
Location
Nottingham
Hi guys,

I bought a GTX960 a little while ago as I needed a better GPU than my 6950. I specifically wanted a black & white card to match the rest of my build and the 960 was the best match I could find.

Suffice to say I'm starting to think that a 970 would have been a better choice. The 960 is great in that it's low power, really quiet, looks great and for the most part runs games smoothly BUT I've noticed it struggle a couple of times even at 1080p (well, 1200p), I've noticed a couple of games (mostly Elite) are munching through the vram as well and I think I'm doing my 4970k a disservice pairing it with such a low powered card. Plus I'm eyeing up a new monitor at either 2k or an 21:9 so more pixels to push...

The only issue I'm having is finding a black & white GPU. MSI had one they were showing off their Krait motherboard with which would be idea for me (as I've got a Krait board :p) but it looks like it was a custom made demo piece.

tl;dr - I need a black & white GPU more powerful and as quiet as a GTX960 without costing more than around £280.
 
SeanDrake said:
I think your only choice would be a KFA2 HOF and at that price the 970.
Click to expand...

They don't seem to do a 970 HoF :( (well, I've found it somewhere but I might as well get a 980, they're about the same price!)

I might just end up getting a plain black one *sighs then shakes his fist at MSI*
 
Nothing stopping you getting a can of spray paint for an ultra custom look ;) I've had my 7950 stripped down a few times now for a proper clean. Looks like it would be pretty easy to spray up especially if it's a metal shroud. Potential warranty voiding activities mind so the second hand market is your friend. Primer>Paint>T-Cut>Lacquer. Thin layers, less is more. You really have to be good with paint and it's properties mind.
 
After the faff I've had with a pair of £15 fans I painted and voided the warranty on only to have them fail a week later there's no way I'm doing it to a £300 gpu!
 
Cyanide said:
After the faff I've had with a pair of £15 fans I painted and voided the warranty on only to have them fail a week later there's no way I'm doing it to a £300 gpu!
Click to expand...

Ha! Fair enough :D I tried to have a look at your build log but my last 24" died yesterday and I'm stuck on a 19" jobbie at the moment.. it was just .jpg rape, even shrinking chrome down to 25% couldn't display the full images :S
 
TheMorningStar said:
Ha! Fair enough :D I tried to have a look at your build log but my last 24" died yesterday and I'm stuck on a 19" jobbie at the moment.. it was just .jpg rape, even shrinking chrome down to 25% couldn't display the full images :S
Click to expand...

I need to tidy it up to be fair, the images are all Imageshack and about 3 years old so they've reverted to full resolution :p

I'm about ready to give up on looking at new cards (unless someone from MSI comes along and donates a Krait Edition card.... no..? ok...) and I'm having a pop at a used 980. If you get get looks then get POWAH!!!!
 
Popped a bid in for a reference 980 - black backplate and silver shroud. I can probably get some sticky-back vinyl for the shroud rather than painting it...
 
Quick update - made one myself :D

eTfLb0X.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom