Which 980Ti to go under water?

[grumpybeard]

For a 980Ti to go in custom water loop, would you guys go for the cheapest reference design, an overclocked/superclocked version or other? Thanks!

 

[setter]

Reference model from a company that allows cooler removal without affecting the warranty.

 

[Uncle Petey]

With prices as they are and with EVGA being EVGA, it's gotta be this.

 

[whyscotty]

My basket at Overclockers UK:

• 1 x EVGA GeForce GTX 980Ti Superclocked ACX 2.0+ 6144MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (06G-P4-4993-KR)= £509.99

Total: £519.89
(includes shipping: £9.90)
​

​

 

[grumpybeard]

Thats the one I was considering, good price, thanks for your thoughts.

Would have to drive 3 aging NEC monitors that have HDMI/DVI ports only, would a displayport to hdmi cable be enough or do I need to llok at some kind of active adaptor?

 

[NoobCannon]

Refrence model. Pick any manufacturer

 

[Uncle Petey]

Refrence model. Pick any manufacturer

Despite the fact that reference cards at OcUK all cost more than the EVGA linked above and lack the warranty and friendliness regarding cooler removal?

 

[NoobCannon]

Despite the fact that reference cards at OcUK all cost more than the EVGA linked above and lack the warranty and friendliness regarding cooler removal?

It doesnt matter. Its usually only Refrence cards that are easy to get blocks for.

Do they make a block for the evGa one?

 

[whyscotty]

Yes as it's still ref designed pcb.

 

[Uncle Petey]

No offence, but this is why you need to check things before you post an opinion

Especially when it concerns someone elses money.

 

[NoobCannon]

If it's refrence then thats what i meant with my post? Apologies if i didnt make it clear. Was quick reply.

 

[Uncle Petey]

Cool
Yeah, as whyscotty says, the EVGA card uses a reference PCB and with the price and benefits of going with EVGA, it's the only real choice.

Most of those other manufacturers won't let you remove the cooler without voiding warranty, never mind let you transfer it to a new owner should you sell the the card.

 

[OLDPHART]

980Ti Poseidon lovely bit of kit, got one and loving it.

 

[elmuzzy66.]

Go for the ocuk ref 980ti, mine worked even after being in water.

 

[Randall8686]

To be honest as long as you are careful i doubt many companies would notice you removed the cooler. However I have a EVGA with a waterblock (980 non ti) and i went that way for warranty reasons.

 

[wunkley]

Probably going 980ti soon myself with a view to getting 2 and AIO watercooling them. I want to have the possibility of DIY AIO cooling them, so I'm using the current list of 'reference design pcb' cards that are listed as compatible with corsair's n980 bracket here http://www.corsair.com/en/hydro-series-hg10-n980-gpu-liquid-cooling-bracket.

My current fav is the evga super clocked+ acx2.0+ as its well priced, compatible, has evga great warranty and relaxed attitude to water cooling, and from what I've read has low instance of coil whine.

 

[Caracus2k]

980Ti Poseidon lovely bit of kit, got one and loving it.

+1 not everyone likes them but they are a great solution in my opinion.


Positives
1)Pre fitted air and watercooling - can test GPU with block on but not in loop!
2) If your pump fails the aircooling will stop the GPU from cooking itself
3) potentially far better resale value - few people want to buy a GPU with a waterblock on it a few years after its released. Watercooling enthusiasts tend to want the latest stuff by nature of their hobby!
4) no swapping blocks - potential to void warranty and or damage card
5) no air cooling block to store
6) Fit right into a custom loop - no AIO solutions to mount - better cooling than AIO depending on your pump/rad setup
7) Probs cheaper than buying ref card and water block? (depending on block and whether you buy back plate etc)
8) Can buy and use air cooling with intent/ possibility to easily switch to w/c down the line (or back again) without having to buy anything else for the GPU or disassemble card
9) Comes with a back plate!

Negatives
1) probably not as efficient as a full cover?
2) double slot cooler (still there's not many single slot water block solutions with a suitable single slot plate to work with)
3) need custom loop to fit to
4) cards currently available come with conservative stock clocks
5) aesthetics - arguable - depends on taste and any case theme you have going!

Also look at the Zotac Artic storm with a 5 year warranty! (and a similar cooler)

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/zota...ddr5-pci-express-graphics-card-gx-089-zt.html

 

[savagesam117]

^ never seen these cards before, that's awesome! I'd get one of them if you were planning on it! Although doesn't look quite so good as an ek block or something

 

[Uncle Petey]

All good points and it is a very good product if it suits you

Two negatives I'd add is that compared to 'proper' block, it's not the best looking solution and a lot of people doing WC are very into the way it looks. Not everyone though.
The other being that you'll likely need to add a couple of 90° fittings to get it plumbed in without clashing with the side panel.

Another thing is that it costs the same, if not a little more than the EVGA SC+ and a block.

 

[Gerard]

One with a Wet Suit