GTX 980Ti finally launched - MSRP $649 - Reviews

[Grooveriding]

Nvidia's cooler is at the threshold with GM200 of what it can handle. The cooler is adequate, but I wouldn't call it good relative to having to cool a GM200.

My brief time using air cooling on my TXs was awful. Those cards are loud!

They won't have issues recycling the cooler for their next GPUs, because it will probably be a mid-range pascal chip as a flagship first, but they need something better for their next big die. Hopefully they wake up to offering a reference water cooler on some models.

 

[tential]

It really sucks that you have to buy a reference Nvidia cooler Titan X. Even at $650 I wouldn't buy the Titan X with that cooler on it.

 

[Cookie Monster]

It really sucks that you have to buy a reference Nvidia cooler Titan X. Even at $650 I wouldn't buy the Titan X with that cooler on it.

Yeah. They should really have gone for an open centered fan design like the GTX690. Would have been much more effective than the blower.

 

[badb0y]

Need some advice, should I buy a second GTX 980 Ti for SLi now to save up money for one of the 34 inch Ultrawide gaming monitors coming from Acer and ASUS later in the year or should I buy the Acer Predator now and skip SLI completely?

 

[RussianSensation]

Fully agreed. The GTX 980ti is a fine card. Although I wouldn't call it running cool with the reference cooler, it is quiet at stock settings. However, what I found even stranger is the double standards. Lots of people were bashing the Hawaii for being hot and loud (rightfully so) but claim their GTX 980Ti/Titan X isn't loud or hot once overclocked. That's the strange part.

Although, since you're running on reference coolers, you're heavily holding those cards back. There's an easy 20% in performance on the table because of the reference cooler. 20% in performance, if we were to base it on performance segmentation, usually means a jump into another pricing tier of GPUs (ex. GTX 970 to GTX 980 / 280x to 290 etc.). That's a lot of performance being left on the table.

Excellent post. It's not just about noise levels but 20% extra performance could be achievable at good temps and noise levels with an after-market 980TI, something a reference 980Ti can only dream of.

 

[ocre]

aftermarket 980ti's are gonna be awesome. The more options the better.

I kind of wanted more from titanX though. I guess its great that the 980ti is so close to the titanX performance but i would have loved to have seen these cards a little bit stronger. There is still Fiji yet to launch, I don't want to get my hopes up but it sure would be nice to see it take us up another notch. The stronger Fiji is, the better it would be for us all

 

[moonbogg]

OK fine. You guys convinced me.

::Water obsession mode activated::

I'm researching a new case and my first ever custom loop. Gonna cool this sucker DOWN. I want it all quiet though. Is that possible for water cooling? To get cool and quiet? Also, I wonder if my enermax revolution 1050watt will be enough with some added OC to cards and CPU. I won't be adding voltage to the GPUs though. I'm just not comfortable with that. I'll open them up as far as stock voltage allows though.

 

[badb0y]

Is that possible for water cooling? To get cool and quiet?

Pretty much the only reason water cooling exists lol.

 

[moonbogg]

PCI-E 3.0 enabled BF4 comparison.

Paracel Storm full server

PCI-E 2.0
Avg: 124.492 - Min: 96 - Max: 145

PCI-E 3.0
Avg: 134.121 - Min: 114 - Max: 146

144fps is the limit due to Gsync.

 

[YBS1]

OK fine. You guys convinced me.

::Water obsession mode activated::

I'm researching a new case and my first ever custom loop. Gonna cool this sucker DOWN. I want it all quiet though. Is that possible for water cooling? To get cool and quiet?

Well, to give you an idea. Under my daily usage settings (4.5GHz), the loudest thing in my system is the pumps, keep in mind this system has ~20 fans (PWM) in it. If you have enough radiator surface area you can pretty much turn the fans all but off, thus not a lot of noise coming from those. Once I settle on which ever new videocards I'm going to be running the noise from the Classifieds while gaming will be gone as well.

 

[Majcric]

OK fine. You guys convinced me.

::Water obsession mode activated::

I'm researching a new case and my first ever custom loop. Gonna cool this sucker DOWN. I want it all quiet though. Is that possible for water cooling? To get cool and quiet? Also, I wonder if my enermax revolution 1050watt will be enough with some added OC to cards and CPU. I won't be adding voltage to the GPUs though. I'm just not comfortable with that. I'll open them up as far as stock voltage allows though.

Hey moonbog, I'm also in search of a new case. I have the HAF X but want something with better craftsmen ship.

 

[SirPauly]

Excellent post. It's not just about noise levels but 20% extra performance could be achievable at good temps and noise levels with an after-market 980TI, something a reference 980Ti can only dream of.

That's why for overclocking enthusiasts that demand more ideal temperatures and acoustics, AIB's offer differentiation choices and nothing new.

 

[sakete]

So ran a benchmark last night on my brand spanking new EVGA 980 Ti SC+ ACX+ (see system specs in my signature) on the Unigine Valley benchmark. Ran at 2560x1440 on Ultra settings, no AA. Setup is factory stock, no OC.

FPS: 100.4
Score: 4200
FPS min: 31.8
FPS max: 183.2

Stats from GPU-Z:

Max core clock: 1304
Max mem clock: 1752.8
Max temp: 84 C
Max fan speed: 2330 rpm (pretty loud)
Max VDDC: 1.187
Max power consumption: 101.1% (of TDP)

I think it started throttling a little bit due to temps.

Temp wise I think my case might be the limiting factor (Fractal Design R5) as generally speaking things tend to run a bit warmer than they could. This case doesn't have the best airflow, but I like it for its relative silence.

At idle it's running at 50-55 C.

What do you guys think of these temps? I have already applied a custom fan curve (after the benchmark) so that the fan doesn't start to spin up too crazy until it reaches 90C. IMO this cards runs pretty hot, the office actually gets quite warm if I don't open up the windows after 30 mins of playing a game.

 

[Rvenger]

So ran a benchmark last night on my brand spanking new EVGA 980 Ti SC+ ACX+ (see system specs in my signature) on the Unigine Valley benchmark. Ran at 2560x1440 on Ultra settings, no AA. Setup is factory stock, no OC.

FPS: 100.4
Score: 4200
FPS min: 31.8
FPS max: 183.2

Stats from GPU-Z:

Max core clock: 1304
Max mem clock: 1752.8
Max temp: 84 C
Max fan speed: 2330 rpm (pretty loud)
Max VDDC: 1.187
Max power consumption: 101.1% (of TDP)

I think it started throttling a little bit due to temps.

Temp wise I think my case might be the limiting factor (Fractal Design R5) as generally speaking things tend to run a bit warmer than they could. This case doesn't have the best airflow, but I like it for its relative silence.

At idle it's running at 50-55 C.

What do you guys think of these temps? I have already applied a custom fan curve (after the benchmark) so that the fan doesn't start to spin up too crazy until it reaches 90C. IMO this cards runs pretty hot, the office actually gets quite warm if I don't open up the windows after 30 mins of playing a game.

I was actually looking at buying this model and you weren't the first that complained about high temps. I wonder if EVGA used the same cooler as the 980 to save on costs and the heatpipe contact is less than optimal. If it is not that, then I would try to reapply thermal paste and you will get an idea how well the heatsink is making contact with the die once you crack it open.

One other thing to note, do the fans shut completely off at idle? That could be the cause of higher temps.

 

[sakete]

I was actually looking at buying this model and you weren't the first that complained about high temps. I wonder if EVGA used the same cooler as the 980 to save on costs and the heatpipe contact is less than optimal. If it is not that, then I would try to reapply thermal paste and you will get an idea how well the heatsink is making contact with the die once you crack it open.

One other thing to note, do the fans shut completely off at idle? That could be the cause of higher temps.

The fans do completely shut off at idle and the custom fan curve I've applied doesn't have them turn on until about 60C. I can of course change that and always have them spinning at about 10%-20% of max speed and then start ramping up >60C.

But the idle temp isn't my main concern, I'm more concerned about the load temp. This is my first high-end card by the way, in the past I've always bought upper mid-range cards, but this time I thought f*ck it!

I do know thought that even my 4790K runs warm at idle (about 40C) in my case, and that's with a Noctua NH-D15 cooling it. My case runs kinda hot and my room isn't super cool either.

 

[Grooveriding]

OK fine. You guys convinced me.

::Water obsession mode activated::

I'm researching a new case and my first ever custom loop. Gonna cool this sucker DOWN. I want it all quiet though. Is that possible for water cooling? To get cool and quiet? Also, I wonder if my enermax revolution 1050watt will be enough with some added OC to cards and CPU. I won't be adding voltage to the GPUs though. I'm just not comfortable with that. I'll open them up as far as stock voltage allows though.

The only time my system makes noise is when the power supply fan spins up. Once I started WCing my issue became the power supply fan being the only noticeable source of noise. The only solution for that was a PSU that turns off the fan under a certain load. Water cooling is great because you can easily adjust for temperature vs noise, but GPUs always run much cooler than they do under air. With my radiator fans at 800RPM and silent my TXes would top out around 45C. Turn up the fan speed to 1400RPM, mild noise, and I was seeing 35C at load.

For two GPUs like GM200 you'll probably want at least a 480 radiator or 360+240 radiator. The other question is full cover blocks or not. Full cover you have to buy new blocks every time you get a new GPU. Universal blocks can be moved from one card to another, but you need to handle VRM cooling some how.

Case is really important and what makes water cooling easy and convenient is geting a huge case, the drawback being you now have this massive case that takes up a lot of room.

 

[TheUnk]

What do you guys think of these temps? I have already applied a custom fan curve (after the benchmark) so that the fan doesn't start to spin up too crazy until it reaches 90C. IMO this cards runs pretty hot, the office actually gets quite warm if I don't open up the windows after 30 mins of playing a game.

Those temps aren't very good for the ACX 2.0. I'm getting very similar temps in SLI and reference cards, overclocked to just around 1300 with the default fan curve. It's probably your case.

 

[Silverforce11]

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/gigabyte_geforce_gtx_980_ti_g1_gaming_soc_review,25.html

GM200 is really held back by the reference blower. Look at the cut down GM200 demolishing Titan X!

 

[sakete]

Those temps aren't very good for the ACX 2.0. I'm getting very similar temps in SLI and reference cards, overclocked to just around 1300 with the default fan curve. It's probably your case.

Yeah, that's what I think too... might have to look into a AIO water cooling solution down the road for the 980Ti.

 

[moonbogg]

The only time my system makes noise is when the power supply fan spins up. Once I started WCing my issue became the power supply fan being the only noticeable source of noise. The only solution for that was a PSU that turns off the fan under a certain load. Water cooling is great because you can easily adjust for temperature vs noise, but GPUs always run much cooler than they do under air. With my radiator fans at 800RPM and silent my TXes would top out around 45C. Turn up the fan speed to 1400RPM, mild noise, and I was seeing 35C at load.

For two GPUs like GM200 you'll probably want at least a 480 radiator or 360+240 radiator. The other question is full cover blocks or not. Full cover you have to buy new blocks every time you get a new GPU. Universal blocks can be moved from one card to another, but you need to handle VRM cooling some how.

Case is really important and what makes water cooling easy and convenient is geting a huge case, the drawback being you now have this massive case that takes up a lot of room.

Do you have a single reservoir and pump for the GPUs and CPU? Or is it better to have separate loops with separate pumps and everything, one loop for GPU and another for CPU? I'd imagine you'd have separate radiators for GPUs and CPU?
Also, what about resale value of the cards? Can you just put the reference cooler back on without any issues? I'll have to start a thread in cases and cooling.

 

[Arachnotronic]

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/gigabyte_geforce_gtx_980_ti_g1_gaming_soc_review,25.html

GM200 is really held back by the reference blower. Look at the cut down GM200 demolishing Titan X!

When will this card be available for purchase?

 

[exar333]

It really sucks that you have to buy a reference Nvidia cooler Titan X. Even at $650 I wouldn't buy the Titan X with that cooler on it.

I think a Lot of people would disagree with you on this. If people already happily pay $649 for a reference 980Ti with 10% less shaders, a TX at this same price would be great. A custom cooler or block would be pretty cheap to add...

The real issue here is that the original Titan offered more memory and unique DP features not on other GPUs from NV. Now, it just has 12GB vs. 6GB memory BUT is held-back by only using the reference PCB and cooling. I agree this is a pretty big drawback and the TX will be much less desirable for anyone looking to OC once the really good custom 980Tis arrive. I wonder if NV will re-think the Titan strategy to allows for more customization? It would be relatively easy to offer the same board SKUs we will see between the TX and the 980Ti if it was allowed.

 

[Anubis]

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/gigabyte_geforce_gtx_980_ti_g1_gaming_soc_review,25.html

GM200 is really held back by the reference blower. Look at the cut down GM200 demolishing Titan X!

im not exactly sure id call a handful of frames 'demolishing"

 

[DownTheSky]

It's more than 10% faster @ stock and 20% OCd. I'd say this is more than a handful.

Here is the biggest difference at stock

 

[Grooveriding]

Do you have a single reservoir and pump for the GPUs and CPU? Or is it better to have separate loops with separate pumps and everything, one loop for GPU and another for CPU? I'd imagine you'd have separate radiators for GPUs and CPU?
Also, what about resale value of the cards? Can you just put the reference cooler back on without any issues? I'll have to start a thread in cases and cooling.

Everything is one loop in my system; single reservoir and one pump. There is no point in two independent loops, imo, unless it is for aesthetics and wanting two different colours of coolants in your tubing etc. The main idea is to have enough radiator for your heat output. I think a 480 rad could just mange two 980ti and your CPU, alternately a 360 and a 240 would be better and definitely enough rad.

The rules change from vendor to vendor as far as warranty. All you need is an AIB that allows removing the cooler. When you want to sell it you can just put the air cooler back on. I usually try to sell the cards with the waterblocks.