Should I go with a Reference or Non Reference EVGA GTX 780ti

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ilrelupo72

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Feb 10, 2014
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I'm very confused about this. Some people say Non reference is better for cases with good air flow but reference is better for smaller cases. I prefer the reference design.

I plan to have my case have a positive airflow. I wont be using a water cooler or radiator. 3 Exhaust fan on top including the rear. 4 intakes. 2 intakes on the front, 1 on the bottom and one on the side. Unfortunately the case I want, the fractal design R4 has no side fan option.

Also If i decide to go with the Reference cooler is the Reference GTX 780ti SC a good option or since its reference cooler I should go with the stock one. Thanks
 
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rvilkman

rvilkman

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As long as you have good airflow the custom coolers are better. You seem to have ample airflow planned for your case so the ACX cooler is probably really good for you. The bonus with the reference cooler is that it blows the hot air out of the back. But when there is ample airflow in the case it doesn't matter that the cooler blow the hot air in the case as well.
 
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Rammy

Rammy

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This is broadly accurate. In a standard ATX tower with good airflow and a single graphics card, you are likely to get the best results and the best value for money with a non-reference design which are usually priced fairly similar to the reference cards at this level.

If you are stacking cards close together, or using a single card in a more confined space, then the self-exhausting nature of a reference card becomes a huge positive quality.

If you like the reference card, then go for it, regardless of your case, there isn't a hugely compelling argument against it. If you want the best balance of performance/value/noise then it's most likely one of the popular cooling solutions (EVGA ACX, Gigabyte Windforce, MSI Twin Frozer etc...) will probably be a better investment.

At this kind of price range, you are probably talking a 2-3% price difference between "SC" and standard models, so it's pretty insignificant to your total budget. The SC model will be fine if you just want to plug-and-play, but as I understand it they are identical cards underneath (just one is pre-overclocked).
 
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Jhact-1385607

Jhact-1385607

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Also if you have a mATX case and it's more cramped inside, the back-exhaust reference cards are better. But like the guys above said, if you have open airflow, you'll get better performance out of a non-reference.
 
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ilrelupo72

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Feb 10, 2014
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Im most probably going to go with the Reference card since I really like the look of the card. Do you recommend the SC Reference design over the stock speeds? Considering it doesn't have the ACX cooling?

Also is the side ran absolutely necessary because Ive been think of going to the 750d with the window. Thanks and sorry for these questions! Really want my first build to go well.
 
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