Reference vs non-reference for watercooling?

[tyler_jrb]

So i recently decided id like to do a full custom loop for my System, I have most of the parts chosen already including a new 900D, X99 Waterblock, 2x 480mm Radiators etc.

However I have already purchased 2x MSI GTX 980Ti Gaming cards. I was wondering EK say they will be bringing out waterblocks for the cards but would it be worth the 2-3month wait.

Does a 6+8pin power vs 8+8pin on the MSI make much difference? Id rather just swap them and get 2 EVGA superclocked reference cards and watercool them over the next couple weeks when i get the chance and spare time to do so. Am i right in thinking EVGA comes with a better warranty and allows watercooling whereas MSI would void the warranty with using a waterblock?

So should i get the reference cards for the next couple weeks and stick with the reference cooler and then upgrade to waterblocks? or wait with the MSI's?

 

[dazzerd]

to be honest if your wc just get the cheapest reference board you can find which doesn't care about hsf removal. Or at least ones where they don't put security stickers over the screws

And I wouldn't worry about 6+8 or 8+8, your likley limited by silicon quality and temp before power draw if you plan to oc.

 

[tyler_jrb]

to be honest if your wc just get the cheapest reference board you can find which doesn't care about hsf removal. Or at least ones where they don't put security stickers over the screws

And I wouldn't worry about 6+8 or 8+8, your likley limited by silicon quality and temp before power draw if you plan to oc.

would you reccomend the OCUK version?

 

[NoobCannon]

Ocuk wont cover cooler removal. Only evga do from what ive heard!

 

[Avenged7Fold]

I asked about cooler removal for a Sapphire card once and OCuk said that although Sapphire don't officially allow it, if there are no faults created by the removal and the stickers are removed and replaced, then they will honour the RMA. I imagine OCuk shares a similar policy about their own products and any brands of which they handle the RMA for, such as Powercolor. Best to message one of the staff or give them a ring. XFX were fine with the removal of GPU cooler last time i owned an XFX card, they just requested i return the card to original state before sending it back.

 

[RyanF]

OcUK don't support removal but you can buy a pre-built GPU from the Tech Labs range, most top brands support HSF removal though. I know for sure that EVGA and MSI allow it, you can check this thread for a quick run-down of people's previous experiences

 

[tyler_jrb]

Ok thanks everyone , sending the MSI's back will miss them, but to upgrade to the EVGA 980Ti's for peace of mind that I will have good service and can return them if they are faulty and have no problems.

 

[Kelt]

Ok thanks everyone , sending the MSI's back will miss them, but to upgrade to the EVGA 980Ti's for peace of mind that I will have good service and can return them if they are faulty and have no problems.

You should read the stickied post at the top of this thread by rjk, regarding hsf removal.

 

[Deleted member 66701]

would you reccomend the OCUK version?

Yes - my OCUK ref card is currently the fastest clocked 980Ti on the OCUK Heaven, Valley and Firestrike leaderboards with top position being held on the first two.