Early last week, the first images of EVGA's upcoming K|NGP|N GTX 980 Ti were revealed to the world on the Kingpin Cooling forums by K|NGP|N himself. EVGA has now revealed the details, including pricing and availability.
Vince Lucido, or K|NGP|N as he calls himself, is one of the world's most renowned overclockers. He currently holds the world record score in 3D Mark Firestrike Ultra, with a margin of over 2000 points, and has held many other 3DMark world records. EVGA partnered with him a number of years ago to create graphics cards tailored specifically with extreme overclocking in mind.
The EVGA K|NGP|N GTX 980 Ti features a pre-binned GPU set with a base clock of 1203 MHz and boost clock set to 1304 MHz. For comparison, the reference GTX 980 Ti specifications call for a 1000 MHz base clock and 1076 MHz boost clock.
The new K|NGP|N card features a fully digital 14+3 power phase design, which EVGA said helps the VRM deliver as much as 600A of current, while improving efficiency and keeping the temperature an average of 28 degrees C cooler. To deliver the necessary power, EVGA has included three power connectors, two 8-pin and a single 6-pin, and the PCB features 12 layers that EVGA said includes extra copper for better power delivery.
The K|NGP|N GTX 980 Ti offers advanced features such as EVBot, which allows for tuning of all aspects of the graphics card. A Probe-It connector allows direct connection with a voltmeter to monitor voltages in real time. Onboard thermal sensors (OTS) automatically tune settings in real time to help overclock as high as possible.
EVGA has also included a memory/MOSFET cooling plate that has direct contact with the memory modules and MOSFETS. It has been designed in two pieces, allowing for the GPU cooler to be replaced, while retaining the cooling plate for the MOSFETS. EVGA has also included a Quick Switch Triple BIOS on the K|NGP|N, with settings for default, overclocking and liquid nitrogen. With a waterblock installed, the card is capable of becoming a single slot solution, and EVGA has included the necessary bracket with the card.
The standard cooler on the K|NGP|N 980 Ti features five 8 mm straight copper heatpipes that are cooled by a pair of ACX 2.0 fans that only turn on once the GPU reaches 60 degrees. The back of the card has been covered with a back plate, and the front is protected by a metal shroud. The EVGA logo is also illuminated and features a customizable RGB LED light.
Along with the K|NGP|N GTX 980 Ti, EVGA has also introduced a new program to custom tailor your purchase to your desires and budget. For the first time ever, EVGA is offering the ability to purchase higher-quality ASIC chips for a higher price. Higher quality doesn't guarantee a higher overclock, but typically the higher quality of the ASIC translates into a better chance of high overclocking potential.
EVGA is calling this the Ultimate OC Project, and it set four different price tiers for the varying K|NGP|N ASIC qualities: 72%+ for $849, 74%+ for $899 and 76%+ for $999, and the highest quality ASIC (at 80%+) has been priced at $1,049.
EVGA's K|NGP|N GTX 980 Ti will be available on July 22 at 10am PT, but supply is limited. You will also be required to log in to an EVGA account before making the purchase. You can create one here if you don't already have one.
Follow Kevin Carbotte @pumcypuhoy. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.
