Is it a good idea to buy a GTX 980 MSI Gaming? Eventhough is doesn't have a backplate?

sammael1984 · Mar 27, 2015

Hello everyone;

I was going to get this GPU but when I found out it didn't have a backplate I started having second thought. Is it safe? I am fairly new to this gaming world, please teach me what you know.

Thanks!

RCFProd · Mar 27, 2015

If you have the money then it is a good idea to buy the GTX 980.

If you don't have the money then it is not a good idea!

Ofcourse it is safe.

ImDaBaron · Mar 27, 2015

Backplate isnt going to do anything other than look better

john TJ · Mar 27, 2015

what resolution are you running at

sammael1984 · Mar 27, 2015

john TJ :

I was aiming for ultra with at least 60fps. (1080p)

This is my build:

CPU:Intel Core i7-4790K
MOBO:Gigabyte ga-z97x Gaming 5
GPU:GTX 980 (Gaming versions MSI or Gigabyte, any would be cool I guess)
Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE CPU Cooler
RAM: Kingston HyperX Savage 16GB Kit (2x8GB) 1866MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 DIMM XMP
HDD: WD Caviar Dark 1TB
SSD: 850 EVO 120GB
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G2
Case: Nzxt H440

ImDaBaron · Mar 27, 2015

ultra at what? 1080p,1440p or 4k?

RCFProd · Mar 27, 2015

GTX 970 is good enough for Ultra at 1080p.

GTX 980 is good enough for ultra 1440p.

Although the 970 can also handle 1440p well really.

sammael1984 · Mar 27, 2015

ImDaBaron :

Sorry for not clarifying.

It would be 1080p or 1440p, I am not aiming for 4K until I get another GTX 980 and SLI them. But I'd like to wait a little bit more.

Rafy effendy · Mar 27, 2015

I believe backplate function is for not let the pcb warping and as the heatsink but i was not sure.

Vote up for the dual gtx 970 is good idea than just one gtx 980 but if you just target 1440p than one gtx 970 would be fine .here some review

Gtx 970 sli
http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/geforce-gtx-970-sli-review,1.html

Msi gtx 970
http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/msi-geforce-gtx-970-gaming-review,1.html

Hope answer your question

john TJ · Mar 27, 2015

get a 970 now and later do sli , you dont need a 980 for those roslutions

Rosencrantz · Mar 27, 2015

Honestly, I bought the MSI GTX 970 ($350 flavor) without a backplate and I regret it (the lack of a backplate, not the card!). The card sags, and does not feel solid at all. I'd recommend buying a card with a backplate. Personally I am now looking into 3rd party solutions as I fear for the longevity of the card, and they're going to run me like 50 bucks. I'm debating using the 970 false advertising scandal just to get a refund and buy another 970 with a backplate. I know, I'm horrible. :x

Performance-wise it shouldn't bother anything, but they look better and are much MUCH sturdier. To me personally, I wish I returned it as soon as I saw the sag post installation. The longer I look at it the more I hate it. But I was lucky enough to get a really well manufactured card (dead silent, no whine and very low temps) so I can't complain too much.

Ultimately, if you're spending that much money on a card it shouldn't look or feel cheap, IMO. Spring for the backplate.

j-lor · Mar 27, 2015

Here are a few back plates you can buy for the msi. I believe its around $20 a piece. Also i had a 980 asus strix gigabyte 970 and now own and i prefer Msi gaming but the lack of back plate is a killer. Im thinking about buying this back plate myself.
http://www.coldzero.eu/gtx900-series/1877-coldzero-backplate-msi-gtx-980-gaming-1.html

ImDaBaron · Mar 27, 2015

Rosencrantz :

Honestly, I bought the MSI GTX 970 ($350 flavor) without a backplate and I regret it (the lack of a backplate, not the card!). The card sags, and does not feel solid at all. I'd recommend buying a card with a backplate. Personally I am now looking into 3rd party solutions as I fear for the longevity of the card, and they're going to run me like 50 bucks. I'm debating using the 970 false advertising scandal just to get a refund and buy another 970 with a backplate. I know, I'm horrible. :x

Performance-wise it shouldn't bother anything, but they look better and are much MUCH sturdier. To me personally, I wish I returned it as soon as I saw the sag post installation. The longer I look at it the more I hate it. But I was lucky enough to get a really well manufactured card (dead silent, no whine and very low temps) so I can't complain too much.

Ultimately, if you're spending that much money on a card it shouldn't look or feel cheap, IMO. Spring for the backplate.

Backplate has nothing to do whether it sags or not. I've had 3 970s. Some with a backplate and one that didnt. All three of them sagged to an extent.

Rosencrantz · Mar 29, 2015

ImDaBaron :

Are you sure? Because a backplate adds stability and prevents warping over time. Why wouldn't it support the card from sagging? My previous cards w/backplates felt like bricks in my hand, they were so solid. The MSI gaming is very floppy by comparison. It just doesn't feel like a card I spent $350 on.

However, I just realized this is moot as MSI is now offering a card WITH a backplate. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127850

So yeah, there you go OP. If you can tolerate the green color scheme, the best of both worlds!

ImDaBaron · Mar 29, 2015

Rosencrantz :

Uh...yeah. Both my Zotac Extreme and MSI Gold sagged.

17seconds · Mar 29, 2015

There's some evidence that a backplate traps heat and reduces thermal performance.

Quote:
"... Nothing keeps the heat from dissipating from the board’s back, which shows once again that backplates are pointless, as they are counterproductive for heat dissipation due to causing the heat to accumulate behind them. They sure do look nice, though."
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nvidia-geforce-gtx-960,4038-10.html

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Is it a good idea to buy a GTX 980 MSI Gaming? Eventhough is doesn't have a backplate?

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