Gtx 780 ACX Cooler vs Reference Cooler

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Toolguns

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I have an Alienware Aurora case, it doesn't have very good airflow.
When I upgrade my Video Card...(I'm considering a Evga ACX or Asus DC2)

Would I be better off with a reference cooler that blows the heat outside my case or would I be okay running an open air aftermarket cooler card?
I know the benefits of the aftermarket cooler is better temps and overclocking potential...
I just don't know if I might end up regretting getting a open air cooler for this type of case...

Anybody have any experience with open air cards in a smaller case?
 
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monsta

monsta

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I actually prefer the reference coolers myself, especially for a smaller case its better for the card to exhaust the heat out of the back of the case rather than inside especially if you don't have the best airflow.
My recommendation would be to go with the reference cooler if you wish to keep your case temps down, I'm sure the non reference cooler might be fine, but its up to you if you want to keep the other components cool in your case.
Can you add any more fans to your case?
 
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misfitkid86

misfitkid86

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i never recommend a reference cooler for a couple reasons: louder for the most part, less thought pu into cooling design and generally speaking brands like asus and evga will go out of their way to make a non-reference card pretty awesome and perform better.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Hey,
1) You can easily solve your airflow problem by getting proper case fans as mentioned, preferably ones your motherboard can speed control.

You should have at least one as a FRONT INTAKE and one as a TOP-REAR EXHAUST.

You really don't need much air flow in that case to be adequate. I'm not certain why you say it isn't either as I suspect you have a front and rear case fan already.

2) The EVGA 780 967MHz base is $500 and my top choice.
 
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Toolguns

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I'm strongly considering the blower type(titan cooler) since my current gtx590 gets hot as heck in this case... although I think it's because the dual gpu card just is trying to cool itself with the same hot air being dumped back inside the case... games on ultra sometimes reach 95-97c..
 
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Toolguns

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I guess a single gpu card won't run nearly as hot as my current gtx590... So maybe I'll be okay with a open air ACX cooler....
 
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Toolguns

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I like the idea of the titan cooler... But I also hear GPU boost 2.0 allows oc depending on temperature target, so i guess that's where an ACX card would be better performing running cooler and more headroom to oc
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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GTX590 vs EVGA 780 967MHz:

The GTX590 is a dual-GPU card and runs very hot.

The EVGA 780 uses the newer, more efficient GPU (one only) and has a great cooling system.

I really don't foresee a problem. Plenty of people in hotter climates are using the 780 with ACX cooler. It sounds like you're basing your decision mainly on the fact that your older, dual-GPU card ran hot.
 
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Toolguns

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Thanks for the input. I am just looking forward to the upgrade and no longer dealing with 97-98c temps. That 590 in my case has been trouble since day 1... it performs great, but the heat is too much at times

 
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misfitkid86

misfitkid86

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the acx cooler's are amazing in tests and will net you a nice oc with decent temps, i woundn't be shocked to see temps under 75c at full load with either the dc2 or the acx. i personally have an oc'd asus dc2 7970 overclocked and it runs at a max temp of 69c and i've only seen that a couple times! though with that said i do live in oregon.......
 
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Toolguns

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I'm in California...
The gtx590 hit 98-99c during the summer, so I know it's an airflow issue...
Even during Winter I'd see 97c sometimes with graphic intensive games. I guess I should be alright with an ACX card despite not the best airflow in that case, like others have said it's a single GPU so I hope not to see higher temps
 
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misfitkid86

misfitkid86

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yeah i think you got a worst case card there, but evga and asus make stellar stuff and even in summer in cali i would be shocked if it hit that high for one card. i personally recommend the dc2 cards from experience they run super cool and quiet and asus uses parts that are rated at temps and voltages that most mortals will not attain!
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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NVidia's GPU BOOST can also prevent the boost clock from kicking in if the GPU temp gets too high. I believe it will also drop all the way down to 2D frequencies if a worst-case scenario exists to prevent damage.

I would say get the EVGA 780 967MHz card, then monitor the GPU frequency to see if it's NOT dropping below 967MHz. If it stays high you have your performance and don't have to worry about extra cooling.

If it DROPS below 967MHz to protect itself, then consider better case fans. I don't think it will happen though.
 
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