Top Tier brands?

[kasakka]

Overall most of the manufacturers are the same crap. Despite all marketing whatever "top notch components" in my experience the main difference between graphics cards from the usual vendors is just the cooler. Sure, they have x phases and different stock clocks but I've yet to see that make a massive difference. If you look at the 980 Ti reviews all the different cards are more or less equal in performance but differ in noise and heat. Customer service is also another differentiator as EVGA and MSI seem to be fairly good in the US while ASUS is horrible and Gigabyte is hit or miss.

Which card is the best varies from model to model, for example I was very happy with the Gigabyte 970 cooler (and the two cards I had overall) but the 980 Ti one was horrible in my sample. Now I'm going for MSI and going to just cram an AIO cooler on it in the hopes that will make it both cool and quiet.

 

[MagickMan]

Weapons of choice this generation:

MSI 980Ti on the top, 750Ti (Physx processor) on the bottom. My first foray into the nvidia camp in >8 years. It feels... weird. :\

 

[blackangst1]

Weapons of choice this generation:

MSI 980Ti on the top, 750Ti (Physx processor) on the bottom. My first foray into the nvidia camp in >8 years. It feels... weird. :\

I know the feeling. Just ordered an MSI Gaming 980 Ti this morning, and feel like Im betraying my AMD relationship Ive had for about the same as you...8 or so years. Im coming from an MSI Gaming R9 270 so Im expecting earth shattering differences lol

 

[yacoub]

Hahah, I'm close to joining you guys. Trying to hold out to see how the air-cooled Fury plays out.

If they come to their senses and price it at $499 or less, I might go for that. Else, it'll be a 980Ti most likely.