New GPU dilemma (FE vs Aftermarket)

[Swi1ch]

I'm planning a new 5900x build - 2k gaming, streaming, and video editing. No mining.

I want a 3090, but given the aftermarket prices are ludicrous I've been sat waiting on FE PartAlert for an FE card.

However I've started to read about people having to mod the FE cards to get reasonable temps - something I'm unwilling to do. Additionally it's been at least 6 weeks since a UK drop of the 3090 FE.

So I'm considering an aftermarket 3080ti. It'll suck paying £200~ more for a lower class card, but won't really hurt me. It will also be possible to actually buy one, and I won't need (in theory) have to modify the card and void the warranty to get it to run at ok temps.

I figure in terms of practical performance there is probably very little in it - I don't mine and don't plan on 4k gaming so the extra VRAM is not all that, and most of the benchmarks I've looked up only put the 3090 a few % ahead of the 3080ti in games.

Any input on this? By going with the 3080ti I'm knowingly getting myself scalped out of £200~, but I can definitely get it and shouldn't have to mod it which is almost worth it. That said the 3090 FE will probably hold its value more.

 

[Swi1ch]

You probably have to mod any of the GDDR6X cards if you want decent vram temps, but don't know if you've followed the 3090 saga? Some sketchy build quality overall. Imo these cards are so expensive I don't know why you wouldn't mine on them during down-time, you can probably get back 50% of the costs if not more within a year. I'd pay more attention to what brand has a longer warranty & a UK RMA center as ultimately you can just let the manufacturer assume the headache they're responsible for if the card fails.

Only reason I'm not considering mining is because I know nothing about mining. I was kinda under the impression that unless you had a specific dedicated setup you would just burn more electricity than actually earn.

try and save money get the FE if you can.

This would be nice but I think my desire to play BF2042 might override my scalp-resistance. Ultimately might only last a couple of weeks before I bite the bullet on whatever is available, but I'll see.

The vram on a 3090FE does get hot. Mine's been getting hot for the last 10 months without any issue doing rendering, vr and 4k gaming. They saw fit to put a three year warranty on it so I suspect they think they'll last at least that long. You'll need decent case airflow to keep the GPU fans at a reasonable noise level as well.

I'm debating between an O11D with an AIO (Probably Arctic II 360) or a Lancool II with air setup (DRP 4 or NHD15) so I guess you would lean towards the Lancool?

That said I have an existing O11D (not available for use in the new build) that is fully decked out with fans - they're Corsair QL series (I think) so big on looks, not so much on actual airflow but the internal temps stay pretty good. 3 bottom intake, 3 side intake, 3 top exhaust push/pull with an AIO.

 

[Swi1ch]

Supprised you didn't jump on the 3080ti FE which was available last week, do you need more than 12gb VRAM for video editing? And 2k gaming performance would be around the same.

I was still hellbent on a 3090 at that point. This thread is me bending away from that - there's only so long I can sit and wait, especially if there could be issues with the card, or waiting could make other cards unavailable.

I currently have 8gb VRAM and don't have any issues with what video editing that I currently do, so I would be very surprised if I suddenly needed more than 12gb.

 

[Swi1ch]

FWIW, getting a 3090 or 3080Ti FE is pretty easy. There was a drop a week or two ago. Last few drops they've lasted hours

It's been at least 6 weeks since the last 3090 FE notification - I'm kinda concerned I'll be at work and miss it, or (very likely) my bank blocks the transaction and causes me to miss.

Edit. That's for a UK drop, though. I was kind of wary of going in on any of the EU drops incase I get slapped at customs for VAT.

 

[Swi1ch]

An O11D or anything with a mesh front should be ok. I had problems with mine in an Asus Helios because the glass panel in the front was choking the air intake. Was getting over 70 on the core and low 100s on the vram causing the gpu fans to go into hoover mode (1700+ rpm). For reference the stock helios did about the same for thermals as my old Fractal define R4. Took the glass out and now it's essentially the same setup as a Phantek P500. With the case and AIO fans on a curve that tops out at 1100 the gpu fans stay under 1300 which is inaudible over the rest of the system.

The 3090FE is also prone to coil whine if you're pushing high FPS. Mine does it on the few games that I can push 4k >80 fps but it's bearable. If the prices and availabilty hadn't gone nuts I'd be looking at Asus Tuf, MSI Suprim and top end of the Zotac range.

If you're playing at 1440 and can work in 8gb would a 3070 be a cheaper option? I've got a 2080ti that I use for living room couch gaming at 1440. It works fine and it's a lot easier to run than a 3090.

My current 2080s is insane for coil whine, I genuinely don't think anything can be louder.

Every PC purchase I've ever made I ended up 'settling' for some lower tier gear that 'would be just as good' and I've not once been happy with that decision. I'm only debating over the 3090/3080ti because of the stock situation. If I trip over an extra 800 quid when I put the bins out later I'll buy an aftermarket 3090 with no qualms.

 

[Swi1ch]

That's fair.

If you're going in with your eyes open then a 3090FE at mrsp isn't a bad choice. Having lived with one I wouldn't go above an extra 300 for an AIB model. The extra vram would let you go nuts in Davinchi Resolve or Blender. Supply might be limited with rumours of a refresh model in the wind.

The 3080ti is kind of a card in any flavour.

I'm not sure whether that's a good eek or a bad eek - assuming good? It'll sting to pay over the odds and get an aftermarket model but it might be worth it to bin off my 2080s.

 

[Swi1ch]

AIB is the way to go with thermals.
Pull the trigger on one of these, only 4 left! Free delivery

I would love to pick up a Strix - but literally double the cost of the FE is actually too much. Cheapest one of those options is 165% of the RRP of an FE.