Worth swapping: EVGA 980ti SC (ref. pcb) for MSI 980ti 6G

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Aritek_2033

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Thoughts? I have about 2 weeks left on my return window to Micro Center (if they even take graphics cards back lol, the guy there said w/in 30 days but online indicates otherwise? or maybe I'm just dense. Does anyone have one or could tell me if I'd notice any gains?

Also, can't lie...I have a red PC build and the MSI card would match sooo much better :D

Thanks!
 
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So is that the reference cooler on the EVGA card? Or is it the ACX cooler? if its reference, then there's your answer right there.

Here's a side by side review. Apparently the EVGA ACX card is slightly quieter 35 vs 37 dBA). The MSI overclocked slightly better and ran 2c cooler. Other than that, its pretty much a toss up. I do like MSI's "Military Class" components over the reference board on the EVGA. But then EVGA is practically legendary for their customer support, MSI not so much.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/EVGA/GTX_980_Ti_SC_Plus/
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_980_Ti_Gaming/
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bdiddytampa

bdiddytampa

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I doubt you would notice a performance difference, they are exactly the same chip :-/ you should be able to overclock your ref card to match the speeds of the MSI no problem. The main difference would be aesthetics and the MSI may cool better and more quiet. But from a performance stand point, even if the MSI can OC better, you would still not notice a difference while playing games

As far as Micro Center goes, you can return for any reason within the first 30 days of your purchase. The only things that have less return times are complete systems (tablets, desktops, laptops, etc) and motherboards.
 
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Reaper_7799

Reaper_7799

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Yeah it is worth it I think, depending what you want. I have an evga reference 980 ti but I am going to add the hybrid cooler on when it comes in stock, that's why I bought it. You can't do that I don't think with yours, but I'm kind of wishing I had waited it out and could get the Gigabyte G1 gaming 6 because it is a better pcb for overclocking.

I guess it depends on what you can get out of an overclock from the card you have now and whether or not you're happy with it. Mine overclocks pretty decent and I've managed to get around 1475 without changing too much and memory to around 2000 with temps around 70-72 degrees under full load gaming.

EDIT: I read that too quick and thought was acx cooling, the SC can have the hybrid added to it as well. Up to you though whatever you want to do. Just depends on what you're happy with and aritek is right, the differences in gaming between say 1425mhz clock and 1475 aren't that large, so it just depends what you want.
 
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Aritek_2033

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Idk exactly how "to" overclock...well to do it well anyway. I can get like 150/150 on core/mem clocks (+) but i people saying "lol I can get 250/500 + no issues so I do that and then my games crash and actually get blocked by the GPU soooooo figuring that out lol. That's a post for another day. For now it's not bad, I just want the diff pcb honestly, but I can be happy with this one if I can't get it.
 
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bdiddytampa

bdiddytampa

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you are totally able to return and switch out those cards man if you want to. As long as you do within the first 30 days of your purchase, you can return for any reason. If you prefer the way the MSI looks, go for it, when you spend that much on a piece of equipment you should like every aspect of it ;-) I'm just sayin :p There just wouldn't be much performance diff between the 2
 
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Reaper_7799

Reaper_7799

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Well that Gigabyte will come a little bit more overclocked from what you have now, so maybe you should if you are having issues getting yours to overclock. It is 1190mhz base with 1291 boost...my reference evga, which is same as yours but yours is overclcocked slightly from evga, is 1268 mhz base with 1475 mhz boost. Your card is slightly overclocked from evga at 1102 mhz base and 1190 mhz boost but you should have no trouble getting the numbers I am getting or close.
 
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17seconds

17seconds

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So is that the reference cooler on the EVGA card? Or is it the ACX cooler? if its reference, then there's your answer right there.

Here's a side by side review. Apparently the EVGA ACX card is slightly quieter 35 vs 37 dBA). The MSI overclocked slightly better and ran 2c cooler. Other than that, its pretty much a toss up. I do like MSI's "Military Class" components over the reference board on the EVGA. But then EVGA is practically legendary for their customer support, MSI not so much.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/EVGA/GTX_980_Ti_SC_Plus/
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_980_Ti_Gaming/
 
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Reaper_7799

Reaper_7799

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If you use msi afterburner. I can send you a screenshot of my settings in afterburner and you can try it on your card if you want. I have the fan curve adjusted slightly aggressive, so it keeps the card running around 72 degrees max. I think the fans are there for a reason and I would rather have a fan go out later on, rather than the pcb fried or something.
 
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Aritek_2033

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I had the reference cooler and have returned it to wait (for probably a long-ass time) for MicroCenter to get the MSI 6G Gaming. In the meantime, email and Twitter for me on this $3000 machine! (woo) :/ thanks for all your help though guys.
 
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