So which GTX980 is currently the best?

[cmdrdredd]

There are many versions from many companies available. Asus, MSI, EVGA, Gigabyte etc. Which one is currently the best one to buy? I'm going to order a card tomorrow.

I tried looking for a roundup but had no luck. I can find individual reviews for each though but without the exact same system otherwise, I don't know which one would be the best. I figured since these had been out a while now that there would be ample data to make a choice.

 

[TidusZ]

Get one with a good cooler at a fair price. The quality of the card will only show after you overclock to instability which means its luck of the draw (if you aren't overclocking then cooler will not really matter so just get cheapest card available, the stock cooler is pretty quiet).

If you want really quiet and good temps get an open cooler that exhausts into the case.

I think the warranties are similar with some companies having a better RMA process but I don't really factor that in for videocards as much as other hardware/peripherals.

I got a Zotac since it was the only one in stock when I ordered and I didn't really care. Turned out to be a less then average overclocker if you believe the NDA reviews where as my last videocard was evga and overclocked better than average but it really doesn't matter which company cus it's still 100% luck.

If best means budget doesn't matter then get the one with highest stock overclock cus you'll have a good chance at an above average overclocker and they come with good cooling usually... but the diminishing returns are very real at that point

 

[skipsneeky2]

nvm

 

[cmdrdredd]

Well, then which has the better cooler? Gigabyte G1 Gaming, MSI TF V, Evga ACX 2.0, or Asus Strix? All fall around the same price except the Gigabyte card which appears to be a bit more expensive.

 

[escrow4]

Gigabyte Windforce. I have the 780 Ti GHz Windforce and its built extremely well with a backplate, is fairly quiet (within reason for a higher end GPU), and is factory overclocked a lot past stock.

 

[rtsurfer]

Asus Strix is the best OverClocking one for the money.

 

[Rvenger]

If it comes down to the MSI gaming, Gigabyte G1, and Asus Strix. Get the one with the best price. All three have excellent coolers and OC ability.

 

[RussianSensation]

The best for performance and overclocking right now is obviously the EVGA Classified. It will overclock higher than any other 980, with users hitting 1.6-1.7Ghz with modded bios.

After that point, out of the box the Zotac Exteme AMP! Is the fastest:
http://www.computerbase.de/2014-11/geforce-gtx-980-test-vergleich-round-up/3/

If you are looking for balance of noise and great performance, MSI Gaming is at the top. Here are the various 980's recorded noise videos that are very helpful in this link too:
http://www.computerbase.de/2014-11/geforce-gtx-980-test-vergleich-round-up/4/

Gigabyte G1 980 is actually loud against the others. I wouldn't buy that one.

However, just be aware you lose 16-18% of performance going 970 SLI when SLI doesn't work but gain a whopping 40-60% when it does work when compared against a single 980. I would take 2X MSI Gaming 970s over any 980 for that reason. Don't get a reference 980 as it's only 10-11% faster than a $350 MSI Gaming 970:
http://www.techpowerup.com/mobile/reviews/MSI/GTX_970_Gaming/27.html

Also, be aware if you are buying a 980 at $550-600, you are essentially buying a mid-range next gen card at high end prices. 2015 should bring 390X and GM200 with substantially more performance. This is another reason I recommend you either wait to drop so much $ or go 970s as that's truly a step above 980 in performance. This is similar to how I recommended you get 670 SLI. 680 SLI didn't last any longer and a single 980 sure as hell won't last as good as 970 SLI. Essentially if a game brings a 970 to its knees, the 980's 16% advantage will give you 3-5 frames more but it won't make the game playable. This is where 970 SLI has a huge edge for the next 2-3 years. It will also be a more substantial upgrade from your 670 SLI.

One more point is EVGA will be releasing the KINGPIN 980 soon if you really just want the best 980.

 

[cmdrdredd]

You make a good argument for going with sli 970s. Looking at it more closely there are times where a single 980 would be somewhat of a sidegrade with the benefit of 4GB of memory. It actually makes sense to consider an extra $150 for sli.

I may do that. Going to order tomorrow but I am not set on which model 970s to get. Gotta look at the options.

 

[Headfoot]

Seems folks have missed this card: http://www.kitguru.net/components/g...-ichill-herculez-x4-air-boss-ultra-review/18/

Incredible thermal performance, substantially better than even the second best card. This is at better than reference sound levels. It isn't the absolute quietest, but it is the absolute coolest. Note: this is heavily factory overclocked with a core clock speed at 1,266mhz and a boost speed set at 1,367mhz. The thing looks like it would beat you up and take your lunch money too

The main downfall of the card is how many adjectives and nouns are in the name

 

[RussianSensation]

Problem is Inno3D doesn't sell in the US/Canada. As far as 970 goes, Gigabyte G1 or MSI Gaming are my top picks. MSI turns both fans off up to 65C so basically completely passive at idle.

 

[Omar F1]

I'd vote for the Gigabyte G1, no complaints except the high speed fans while POST before settling down in Windows, it's actively cooling card while idle contrary to others like MSI / ASUS.
Be careful and take measures, the card is very long and it didn't fit in a compact ATX case.

 

[boozzer]

wow the gaming one is whisper quiet.

 

[Granseth]

I'd vote for the Gigabyte G1, no complaints except the high speed fans while POST before settling down in Windows, it's actively cooling card while idle contrary to others like MSI / ASUS.
Be careful and take measures, the card is very long and it didn't fit in a compact ATX case.

The high fanspeed at POST isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's easier to get dust that is stuck removed with short bursts of high speed airflow.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I have heard of some cards before spinning fans backward for a few seconds at post for this reason. My case is not an issue. Cooler master HAF 932

 

[Rvenger]

You should have put a poll up.

 

[schmuckley]

idk..but people seem to like the Strix.

 

[Jhatfie]

I think that "Best" is different to a lot of people. The Asus Strix has an excellent build, but is let down with just 1.2v available for overclocking and fans start to get a bit loud at 65-70% or higher speeds. The MSI Gaming is a bit quieter and in the case of my 970's, seemed to cool slightly better than the Strix cooler, but it was close, yet the MSI has no backplate. The Gigabyte windforce cooler is the loudest of the 3 in my experience (based on experience with Gigabyte WF R9 290 though, but same fan profile), yet out of the box the G1 variant is the fastest clocked of the three mentioned at stock clocks and it is also the most expensive. All three have excellent 3 year warranties. I personally do not think you can go wrong with any of them, but my preference is the Strix or MSI Gaming due to quieter operation.

As mentioned, the 970 is a better buy than the 980 and you can always SLI later. In my limited testing at the same 1500/8000 clocks my 980 was on average only about 14-15% faster than my 970. Hard to justify a 60% increase in cost for maybe 15% more performance. Only reason I jumped on a 980 was because I nabbed a open box one for super cheap and was able to unload my 970's for what I paid.

 

[cmdrdredd]

You should have put a poll up.

Yeah but there's too many options from even the same manufacturer. EVGA has like 4 different 970s out there or something.

I'm really leaning the direction of EVGA because of excellent service I've received before and my current cards have been flawless or the MSI Gaming due to it being highly recommended pretty much everywhere. I'll probably buy based on pricing.

 

[lavaheadache]

reference. because I said so

 

[cmdrdredd]

So I have two MSI Gaming 970s arriving tomorrow. B&H had them for $350 in stock. A lot of people overlook B&H for video cards but they do often have things that newegg and amazon mark up or don't have in stock.

 

[aigomorla]

reference. because I said so

+1 lolol

cuz full cover waterblocks can only fit on reference...

 

[Omar F1]

The high fanspeed at POST isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's easier to get dust that is stuck removed with short bursts of high speed airflow.

Never thought about that and I totally agree with it, now I'd call it a feature and thanks for the heads up.

 

[Leyawiin]

If it comes down to the MSI gaming, Gigabyte G1, and Asus Strix. Get the one with the best price. All three have excellent coolers and OC ability.

Are you still happy with your Nvidia branded GTX 970 from Best Buy (with the Titan style cooler)? I noticed they have that cooler on a GTX 980 as well.

 

[Rvenger]

Are you still happy with your Nvidia branded GTX 970 from Best Buy (with the Titan style cooler)? I noticed they have that cooler on a GTX 980 as well.

Yes I am! If you are running 2 in SLI they are pretty darn quiet and overclock very well.

So I have two MSI Gaming 970s arriving tomorrow. B&H had them for $350 in stock. A lot of people overlook B&H for video cards but they do often have things that newegg and amazon mark up or don't have in stock.

Can't go wrong with MSI! Good choice.