GTX 980 ti question pls help guys! : /

morgann · Dec 18, 2015

OK guys I really really want the Zotac gtx 980ti amp extreme. It seems to be the fastest 980ti and affordable! The only problem is that it's so big! I read it takes up 3 slots. Does that mean I have to get a motherboard (SKYLAKE compatible) that is 400$ if I want to sli? If so I'd rather get a different gtx 980ti. I only plan on buying one 980ti now but want to have option to sli down the road. IS there any 200$ motherboards that can handle the amp extreme? If not I guess Ill just get a smaller 980ti...any recommendations?

Also any affordable but good cases? Im thinking Phantek Enthoo pro full tower for 99$ big enough?

Gingerbread · Dec 18, 2015

No you will need at least 300$ mobo. Second of all, even the best 980ti is still a 980ti, meaning the performance compared to other 980tis will be slightly better at best. Just get a standard sized gtx 980ti and if you want it to be the fastest out there then get an Asus Strix OC (it is pretty much the fastest out there along with the MSI and Gigabyte top versions) and it is affordable (close to the same price as others). Way better investment than a bigger motherboard.

morgann · Dec 18, 2015

What motherboard should I get if I want to sli one day or OC with an i7 6700k?

Silverbear · Dec 18, 2015

morgann :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: MSI Z170A GAMING M5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($174.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Video Card ($649.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $824.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-18 04:01 EST-0500

MSI's Twin Frozr is one of the best air coolers along side the Asus Strix. The MSI gaming boards have great overclocking features for both beginners and advanced users.

morgann · Dec 18, 2015

ty for everyones help. I notice the MSI one OC is 1178 MHz where the amp extreme is like 1350 mhz. Is this a big deal? Also the msi only has 2 fans so does it mean I can only OC to 1178? I hear you can OC 980ti to 1400 mhz... sorry idk much about any of this.

Silverbear · Dec 18, 2015

morgann :

1178 to 1350 MHz will make a difference of 1-3 fps depending on the game, but usually isn't noticeable especially if you're monitor is only 60Hz. The MSI will actually boost to around 1280 under heavy load.

For overclocking, it's pretty random and different from card to card, my MSI 980TI can get to a stable 1500MHz, but others can't go above 1300MHz. This goes for any card manufacturer, some can be great overclockers, others are not so great. Just the silicone lottery.

morgann · Dec 18, 2015

oki I noticed it says the boost clock is 1279 on the msi which is close to the amp one. What does boost clock mean? But honestly Im just nitpicking now huh lol! : p I prob wont notice a difference. so I can fit 2 msi on that motherboard you posted?

The msi looks like it gets perfect reviews everywhere. So Im going to get the motherboard and the gpu you posted. TY! Oh what case? Phantek Enthoo pro full tower will work?

Silverbear · Dec 18, 2015

Boost clock is exactly what is stands for, the graphics card ramps up when under load until it reaches the speed the manufacturer set for it. So for MSI, they determined they could kick the card up 1279 and have it be stable with good temps.

Yes, you can fit the 2 MSI cards on that board.

Also did you have a post asking about the Gigabyte G1 or did I imagine that? lol.

morgann · Dec 18, 2015

lol I did ask but then I changed my mind cuz it says like 3 inch width and Im pretty sure it wouldnt fit on that board you posted lol. Sleep deprived from finals : [

edit: Plus the MSi gpu looks like it get perfect reviews where the gigabyte one not as much.

oooooooo and will this memory work on that board? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MMLUZ2I?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

Silverbear · Dec 18, 2015

Ah gotcha, but yes, the G1's would also fit on the board as long as the case has enough space.

As for other cases, in the same price range, you have the NZXT Phantom cases, any of them are pretty nice. There's also the Corsair 450D, 500R, 400R, all are pretty good depending on what style you had in mind.

The Phantek you picked out is also very nice.

Silverbear · Dec 18, 2015

Yes, that memory will work, but since this is a gaming machine you're building, I would definitely go with these:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f42400c15d8gvr

morgann · Dec 18, 2015

oki ty! And lastly what about psu? And why wont the amp extreme fit the motherboard whereas the msi and others will? Is it the width or something? Cuz the MSI has like the similar size to the amp extreme so Im confused.

3.2 inches x 13.6 inches x 10.4 inches is for the msi

2 inches x 12.92 inches x 5.24 inches is for the amp extreme

Silverbear · Dec 18, 2015

No prob.

For 980ti SLI you need an 850 Watt PSU: http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm
So either of these would work:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-110b20850v1
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-hcg850m
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ss850am
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-x850

The Zotac AMP probably would fit on this motherboard, it will just be a tight squeeze because it's cooler is so thick

morgann · Dec 18, 2015

So I could sli 2 amps if I wanted down the road? Prob should just get the msi huh. See Im not 100% certain if I will sli just I want the option down the road. a 980ti is a 980ti guess it doesnt matter. Ill just get the msi which is what you said to get. Gonna order tomorrow!!!

edit: Oh and the i7 6700k is good cpu right?

Silverbear · Dec 18, 2015

Yeah, I think what you were getting confused about was the thickness of the video card, here's a good representation of both:

http://imgur.com/a/kDqKq

The Zotac's heatsink is larger to compensate for cooling from having such a high overclock (more electricity, more heat) A lot of motherboards lack this kind of space, but from eyeballing the MSI board I recommended, it I would say that 2 Zotacs will fit, it will just be little more snug.

The i7-6700k is very good and will last you around 5-6 years.

morgann · Dec 18, 2015

oki! Thx so much for your help! Been super awesome! Nite nite!

JUICEhunter · Dec 18, 2015

Once OC'd the performance of the GPU's are similar:

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/gigabyte_geforce_gtx_980_ti_extreme_gaming_waterforce_review,37.html

At the bottom of the page has a lot of 980ti's OC'd on firestrike and as you can see the results don't vary much.

GTX 980 ti question pls help guys! : /

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