Can't decide.. GTX 980.. GIGABYTE G1 vs. MSI GAMING 4G vs. ASUS Strix

[xH4wK]

Seriously, its so hard !

Idk about pros/cons.. maybe that I heard MSI has fan issues

Please help me, I would like to buy new 980 next week and personally... its very hard to decide, I love quiet and powerful graphic card with lots of potential for OC.

 

[zeyuanfu]

I would say Strix or Twin Frozr. I'd prefer Strix as:
1, It's from Asus
2, The fans look cool
3, They probably have some custom-designed PCB
G1 cards are overpriced, so don't get them, unless you're willing to pay 100$ more than a Strix.

 

[xH4wK]

Strix looks better as a matter of quality I guess, they supposedly have 10 phase controller, while MSI look like to have only 4 phase design (some discussion floating around) .. idk. this is hardest decision I had over graphic card like ever..
last I bought EVGA version of 780 it was no brainer to me .. but now ? Impossible to decide

 

[zeyuanfu]

Of the two, honestly, I wouldn't touch an MSI card as they have horrible QC with their mothebroards, who knows what's going on with their GPUs? I can't seem to find a Strix, but thsi would be another of my two or three choices:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($345.66 @ Newegg)
Total: $345.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-17 15:52 EDT-0400

 

[Winly]

After researching a bit between those models I went with the GIGABYTE G1, because I like their design and on all charts I saw after being OC more it came on top by 5-10% in performance against the other models.

 

[Winly]

but go with what you can afford and like the most!

 

[zeyuanfu]

The G1 is overpriced, either the Strix or the ACX 2.0 would be my choice.
Actually, I just realised we were talking about 980s and not 970s. Here's the Strix:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB STRIX Video Card ($579.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $579.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-17 16:01 EDT-0400

The ACX 2.0:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($584.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $584.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-17 16:01 EDT-0400

Overpriced G1:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($636.13 @ Newegg)
Total: $636.13
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-17 16:02 EDT-0400

 

[xH4wK]

I dont care about pricing.. I just want:
-980
-reliable (MSI seem to fall off here due to 4 phase controller ?)
-QUIET (Gigabyte falls off here due to 1600 rpm in idle.. ?)
-room for OC (Strix falls off here due to low power limit ?)

I do not have any real data from EVGA as they have just two reviews which none covers noise of the card..

 

[zeyuanfu]

EVGA makes REALLY good cards, I'd get the ACX 2.0.

 

[Winly]

it call comes down to you. Noise is not an issue with me. But EVGA has a superb customer service and warranty.

 

[zeyuanfu]

And their ACX 2.0 cooler is just awesome
Looks good with just a hint of blue on the card, too.

 

[xH4wK]

Alright, just found some interesting info about power controllers of MSI GAMING 4G.. it seem that this actually is not an issue, as it uses actually two different power controllers both for core and memory, therefore power stuff is not an issue here but its actually pretty cool !
This definitely makes me to go for MSI GAMING 4G.. as it is very quiet and cools very well and can overclock well.. definitely best 980 atm.

And warranty/customer service does not really interest me, as I can RMA using my local retailer easily.. they will take care of everything else.; )

here is info about power stuff if anybody is interested:
http://www.modders-inc.com/msi-gtx-970-gaming-4g-gpu-review/4/
http://www.overclockers.ru/lab/64273_3/V_znachit_Pobeda_obzor_i_testirovanie_videokarty_MSI_GeForce_GTX_970_Gaming_4G.html

 

[zeyuanfu]

I would still get the ACX 2.0 as EVGA has AWESOME customer service, and even fi you can return the card to your local retailer, I wouldn't trust any MSI cards.