Does anyone know about Evga's step up play are they

djreedj · Jan 22, 2016

I just got a gtx980 few days ago and wanna step up to the 980ti but they only have 1 980ti available, everything looks great with that model. I am just wondering if they are reference cards? And is that bad? What is a reference card?

leo2kp · Jan 22, 2016

A reference card means that it's been constructed exactly to the specs that NVidia recommended. A reference card would run at stock speeds and use the stock cooler, but a 980ti is going to be fast no matter what.

rcald2000 · Jan 22, 2016

The majority of people prefer custom PCB cards, but I personally like reference cards. I have two EVGA 980 Ti FTW (custom PCBs & fans) and I have one EVGA 980 Ti (4992) reference cooler. Ideally, if I was getting a single 980 Ti, I'd go for a custom cooler, but with two cards, I'd be inclined to get two reference cards. I like that the heat is exhausted out of the back of the card, instead of straight into the case. Also, I know that I would buy reference if I was getting a custom water loop. I have no experience with that yet, so I don't know if it's possible to install water block with non-reference cards. When Pascal comes out, I will be buying four Pascal version of 980 Ti's.

Besides, do you have any other options besides reference? Can you get a rain check from EVGA and get a custom card at a later date, or is it reference or nothing?

djreedj · Jan 22, 2016

rcald2000 :

The majority of people prefer custom PCB cards, but I personally like reference cards. I have two EVGA 980 Ti FTW (custom PCBs & fans) and I have one EVGA 980 Ti (4992) reference cooler. Ideally, if I was getting a single 980 Ti, I'd go for a custom cooler, but with two cards, I'd be inclined to get two reference cards. I like that the heat is exhausted out of the back of the card, instead of straight into the case. Also, I know that I would buy reference if I was getting a custom water loop. I have no experience with that yet, so I don't know if it's possible to install water block with non-reference cards. When Pascal comes out, I will be buying four Pascal version of 980 Ti's.

Besides, do you have any other options besides reference? Can you get a rain check from EVGA and get a custom card at a later date, or is it reference or nothing?

I think its reference or nothing, but the 980 i bought from newegg is also reference he said.

djreedj · Jan 22, 2016

rcald2000 :

The majority of people prefer custom PCB cards, but I personally like reference cards. I have two EVGA 980 Ti FTW (custom PCBs & fans) and I have one EVGA 980 Ti (4992) reference cooler. Ideally, if I was getting a single 980 Ti, I'd go for a custom cooler, but with two cards, I'd be inclined to get two reference cards. I like that the heat is exhausted out of the back of the card, instead of straight into the case. Also, I know that I would buy reference if I was getting a custom water loop. I have no experience with that yet, so I don't know if it's possible to install water block with non-reference cards. When Pascal comes out, I will be buying four Pascal version of 980 Ti's.

Besides, do you have any other options besides reference? Can you get a rain check from EVGA and get a custom card at a later date, or is it reference or nothing?

he said it comes with acx 2.0+ cooler

rcald2000 · Jan 22, 2016

Do you know the model number of the 980 Ti, that they are offering? Reference and ACX cooler sounds off to me, but perhaps I'm uneducated about EVGA's full line. For example these are the models that I own.

EVGA GTX 980 Ti FTW
06G-P4-4996-KR

EVGA GTX 980 Ti reference w/ factory overclock
06G-P4-4992-KR

djreedj · Jan 22, 2016

rcald2000 :

This is the one they are offering.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487140&cm_re=06G-P4-4991-KR-_-14-487-140-_-Product

this is the one i have

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487079

rcald2000 · Jan 22, 2016

That's not a reference cooler. That is indeed a ACX 2.0+ cooler. Only major difference from your card is that it isn't the factory Super Clocked, but you can overclock the card itself. Also I'm pretty sure that the replacement card won't come with a backplate. Another thing is, I'm not sure the replacement card will come with a game code, but you can msg N.e.w.E.g.g. support, if that's who you bought your original 980 from, and ask them for a free game code for Rise of the Tomb raider. There's a good chance that they may give it to your under the circumstances.

BUT.....

instead of going through the EVGA step-up program, why don't you simply box up the 980, return it to NewEgg, get a credit and buy the 980 Ti of your choice. If you ask them to wave the re-stocking, they probably will because it's under 30 days. So to summarize, I'd return the card for full credit to NewEgg. If that's not possible then I would proceed with the EVGA step-up program.

djreedj · Jan 22, 2016

rcald2000 :

Thanks for the advice. I was concerned that the 980ti wasnt superclocked, and evga told me the 980ti would still outperform the 980 without a doubt. They said its like comparing an i5 with an i7. What do you think about that? Do you think with the ti's 800+ extra cua cores and 300 less core clock speed, that the 980ti will still be a welcome improvement to the 980?

rcald2000 · Jan 22, 2016

The 980 ti definitely noticeably outperforms a 980. A 980 Ti, has about twice the gaming performance of a GTX 970. I've owned both a 970 and 980 Ti's. I "think" that a 980 is about 10% greater performance of a 970, but don't quote me on that. But yes, a 980 Ti is a great improvement.

djreedj · Jan 22, 2016

rcald2000 :

So it doesnt matter that the ti has 2-300 less core clock speed?

rcald2000 · Jan 22, 2016

The Ti will be faster, even with the lower 200-300 core clock. BUT, you can simply overclock the card yourself with MSI afterburner, EVGA Precision X, or whatever utility you like. Personally, depending on what the return value of the 980 was, I'd consider returning to NewEgg and buying a EVGA 980 Ti Classified. But again, it depends on prices involved. The 980 Ti is worth the upgrade.

djreedj · Jan 22, 2016

rcald2000 :

Newegg said they can process the return with 15% restocking fee, i dont know what to do..can u even find a ti on newegg thats better than the one i listed?

rcald2000 · Jan 22, 2016

Yes, but you said you bought the GPU just days ago. Did you ask them through chat if they could wave the restocking fee as a one time courtesy? I've never had them refuse to do that for an item I owned less than 30 days. But you're way overthinking this. If you want the 980 Ti, then go for it. First decide that. Then decide if it's better to use the step up program or return to NewEgg.

djreedj · Jan 22, 2016

rcald2000 :

i do want the 980ti, i just need to figure out if its worth it to send it back to newegg pay shipping, then have the fee assuming they wont wave it thats 75 bucks..then pay 150 for the 980 if i can get the 980ti i lsited for 175 bucks including 2 days shipping from evga, unless there is a way better one on newegg..

djreedj · Jan 23, 2016

rcald2000 :

Ok so they told me they cant wave the 75$ restocking fee.

So i can either get the one at step up for 175 bucks extra including 2 days shipping. Which is this.

http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=06G-P4-4991-KR

or I can pay, 150 + 75$ for restocking, and wait around a week for them to process and ship my new card once they receive it. For this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487142

what should i do

rcald2000 · Jan 23, 2016

Do whichever option is cheaper.

djreedj · Jan 23, 2016

rcald2000 :

cheaper is to keep my 980 lol

i am really stuck deciding one is superclocked same cooler, and has backplate but i will be paying oh around 75 bucks more, and the other is stock base clock and no backplate

Does anyone know about Evga's step up play are they

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