Gtx 770/780 Reference vs ACX vs Asus DCU2 in Bitfenix Prodigy

starkos08

Honorable
Feb 7, 2014
2
0
10,510
Hello,

I have the following build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ScCm Right now I'm trying to decide what style video card to go with. It will be either a 770 or 780. I don't need help deciding between the two cards, but rather their cooling designs. I have the black Bitfenix Prodigy with the mesh front and the vented side panel w/ dust filter on the side. I have a 230mm Bitfenix Spectre fan on the front for intake, a Swiftech H220 on top as intake, and a 140mm PWM Cougar Vortex on the back as exhaust.

I will be overclocking the card as well if that has an impact on the decision.

So my question is would I be better off with a design like:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121779
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130921

Or a design like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130939
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130916


Just don't want to smother the video card and other components or get a reference design when it's not necessary.

Thanks for any help.
 
Solution
I have the prodigy with a 760 HAWK from MSI. The Prodigy has plenty of airflow for aftermarket coolers, and mine stays very cool. Never ramps up the fan even at full load. I have the vented side though, not the window.