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Started by Bighairyg | | 10 answers
New build, which video card 780 Ti or 980?
Ok. I am planning a new pc build to replace a well used Dell XPS 400 that has seen better days. I can't even imagine the performance improvement that this new system will bring, but I am not sure which video card to go with.

Here is my proposed build:

Corsair 230T Case (Black, no window)
Corsair HX750 PSU
Intel 4790k
Corsair H80i AIO Water Cooler
Asus Z97 Sabertooth Mark 2
G.Skill Ripjaws Z 32GB at 2133mhz
Crucial MX100 256GB SSD (system drive)
WD Black 1TB (storage drive)
Pioneer 209DBK Blu-Ray Drive
Sound Blaster ZXR Sound Card
possible additional case fans

First of all, does this look like a good build? I have been planning and researching this for about a month now, and I am pretty confident that this is what I want, unless someone can prove to me why to change something. I am looking for a fairly high-end system that will last for 5+ years without becoming archaic. I do some gaming, some Photoshop, and some video rendering, but mainly just general usage. I also do some audio recording, which is why I want the Sound Blaster, not to mention I love the ability to plug my headphones in and have a physical volume control for them. I am currently attending online school for IT and need something that will sufficiently be able to handle anything that I will have to do for school.

My big question though is whether to go with a GTX 780 Ti graphics card or a new GTX 980? I originally planned on the 780 Ti, and it has recently dropped approximately $100, but how does it compare to the GTX 980, which is only $100 more? 4K resolution is not even in the picture right now, my current monitors (dual) are only 1050p and I plan to upgrade to a pair of 23" IPS displays that run at 1080p. Which one would be better for rendering video?

Please let me know what you think! Thanks in advance for any advice!


FYI, I forgot to mention that whatever video card I choose will be an Asus. Either the 780 Ti DCII OC or the Strix 980 DCII OC.

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October 16, 2014 9:15:21 AM

At this point I almost wonder if it would be worth waiting until Black Friday/Cyber Monday to see what kind of deals I can get. Yeah, I see Amazon lists it, but says 2 to 4 weeks to ship...
October 15, 2014 10:45:39 PM

Thanks for all your help guys. Now I just have to wait for some place to get the Strix GTX 980 in stock, and I will be ready to order!
a b U Graphics card
October 15, 2014 5:51:16 PM

Bighairyg said:
rockie_ said:
750W PSU is much for single GTX 980 .


I know, but I want this to be as future-proof as possible. This build is spot on with my current budget, but I want to be able to either add a second graphics card in the future or upgrade to a newer card. I figured it would be better to HAVE more than to NEED more power....


Better to have extra power available and not need it then to need it and not have it.
Rockie_'s done well here with his advise but i will add a little more.
You might be able to save a little more $$$ by stepping down to 1600 speed RAM from 2133. You will probably never see the speed difference between the two.
And if you can find one, the GTX980 is the way to go. The price on the 780Ti has dropped a lot and their performance is pretty close to the 980: but the 980 takes less power and will run cooler and has features that you will want to use, expecially in future/new games.
October 15, 2014 9:26:00 AM

rockie_ said:
750W PSU is much for single GTX 980 .


I know, but I want this to be as future-proof as possible. This build is spot on with my current budget, but I want to be able to either add a second graphics card in the future or upgrade to a newer card. I figured it would be better to HAVE more than to NEED more power....
a b U Graphics card
October 15, 2014 9:14:45 AM

750W PSU is much for single GTX 980 .
October 15, 2014 8:31:24 AM

rockie_ said:
2x8GB to enable dual channel memory .


Great. So I will go with the Asus Strix GTX 980, and change the RAM to 2x8GB G.Skill Ripjaws Z @ 2133mhz. Any other thoughts on this build? The last system I built was 10+ years ago with an AMD Athlon 1.9Ghz...
a b U Graphics card
October 14, 2014 5:40:01 PM

2x8GB to enable dual channel memory .
October 14, 2014 5:20:28 PM

rockie_ said:
4GB VRAM of GTX 980 wins over 3GB VRAM of GTX 780 ti ! And GTX 980 is faster

Get 16GB RAM . its enough


Ok, if I cut back to 16GB of RAM, would there be any benefit or drawback to use 4x4GB or 2x8GB?

Best solution chosen by Bighairyg

a b U Graphics card
October 14, 2014 3:45:23 PM

4GB VRAM of GTX 980 wins over 3GB VRAM of GTX 780 ti ! And GTX 980 is faster

Get 16GB RAM . its enough

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