What is the difference between the GPU manufacturers?

[neviditelny]

Hi people

I have a question that struck me while following the topics here about GPU's and trying to understand what to get for my new build (it is going towards the 480 due to the price).

But what is actually the difference between the manufacturers as MSI, Sapphire, XFX and so? I know that MSI have a very good reputation for GPU's and their stuff, but not sure what makes it such a good reputation or why.

Anyone that is up for trying to explain this to me? Just out of curiousity

 

[Drollic]

Build quality, cooling performance, noise, overclocking capability, rma process, customer service, warranty, aesthetics, added extras, software amongst other things.

 

[neviditelny]

So if you would list the various manufacturers after the best to the worst, how would that list be looking like?

 

[Drollic]

So if you would list the various manufacturers after the best to the worst, how would that list be looking like?

There isn't really such a thing as it depends on what you prioritise from the above list as well as the specific card.

 

[Smoogels]

The difference between brands for the 480 reference cards, which all use the same cooler, is pretty small. Pretty much the deciding factor for these cards at the moment is warranty. There will be a bigger difference when custom coolers are put on the 480.

Personally when shopping for a new GPU I normally decide between MSI, Sapphire, Gigabyte or Asus.

 

[neviditelny]

My old 5770 was a Sapphire card, now I'm using a EVGA GTX 760 card but by end of next month, early august I should have enough money spare to get my new build. And I'm thinking about what to get then. It is pretty much only the GPU left to decide on.

 

[karik666]

My last two cards have been sapphire cards.

4870 ref cooler had that 4 years,very good card but towards end of life it was getting to nearly 100c,proberly could have fixed that with redoing thermal paste.

7870 custom cooler bought it march 2012 still using it today,temp never goes over 70c.

 

[neviditelny]

I'm looking at MSI or Sapphire 480, all will depend on what they have in stock when I can order the computer.

 

[trentlad]

It's true, the warranty is the main thing you want to pay attention to as well as the cooling ability. If it breaks you want support and if it's running you don't want to be listening to a Harrier Jump Jet preparing for a vertical take off.

I've had a fantastic experience with EVGA. For instance, I bought a 470 which had no issue for three years until it started to artifact, got in touch with support as it had a lifetime warranty and within two days they had shipped me a 4GB GTX770 which is so powerful that I'm literally using it to play VR games two years after it arrived!

 

[neviditelny]

The reason I got EVGA GPU now is because someone recommended EVGA mainly due to their customer service/warranty stuff. This far i havent had to get into contact with them but it was as valid as anything else when getting a new GPU.

 

[Griffildur]

The reason I got EVGA GPU now is because someone recommended EVGA mainly due to their customer service/warranty stuff. This far i havent had to get into contact with them but it was as valid as anything else when getting a new GPU.

they also have the Step Up program which could be extremely useful sometimes, say around a new product launch, buy whatever is in stock and is eligible and then upgrade to what you really want when it becomes available.