Please help me decide between Asus Strix GTX 980 ti and EVGA SC+ AC2.0+

shaolin95 · Nov 8, 2015

Hello!
I am debating between an EVGA 980 ti SC+ AC2.0+ (has been slightly modified for aftermaket water cooling which means no warranty I am sure) vs Asus Strix 980 ti with full warranty. The Asus being $65 more but arriving one day earlier as well.
I think the extra $65 are well worth the warranty alone plus the fact that I like the card more and I think it will OC better but just checking with you guys. :attn:

ATMINSIDE · Nov 8, 2015

It won't make any difference how it overclocks, that's a silicon lottery.

shaolin95 · Nov 8, 2015

ATMINSIDE said:
It won't make any difference how it overclocks, that's a silicon lottery.

Maybe I am off but I felt that for the GTX 980 TI, EVGA has so many different versions that it would seem to me like they are binning the cards a lot and separating into those "levels" so chances of getting a nice clocker are less than say with Asus or Gigabyte for example unless I get the top one from EVGA.
Makes sense?

ATMINSIDE · Nov 8, 2015

The only ones binned are the Classified, it's a silicon lottery.

shaolin95 · Nov 8, 2015

ATMINSIDE said:
The only ones binned are the Classified, it's a silicon lottery.

I see.

Janus67 · Nov 8, 2015

I was under the impression that EVGA doesn't have warranty concerns when changing the aftermarket cooler, just so that if you have to RMA you put the old cooler back on -- is that incorrect (I've never personally owned an EVGA card, at least not a new one, just going by what I remember reading).

But also, ATM is correct, the cards are entirely a lottery.

shaolin95 · Nov 8, 2015

Janus67 said:
I was under the impression that EVGA doesn't have warranty concerns when changing the aftermarket cooler, just so that if you have to RMA you put the old cooler back on -- is that incorrect (I've never personally owned an EVGA card, at least not a new one, just going by what I remember reading).

But also, ATM is correct, the cards are entirely a lottery.

Yeah the aftermarket is not an issue but he said he "shaved" some parts a little to fit the cooler so that I think automatically kills the warranty.

ATMINSIDE · Nov 8, 2015

See if you can get pics of what he "shaved" on the GPU

caddi daddi · Nov 8, 2015

if the card is modded avoid it unless it's a once in a life time deal and worth the risk.
I have an evga 970 ftw, it's clocked high at default and not going much beyond that, I lost the lottery.
and the warrany sticker is NOT over a screw.

shaolin95 · Nov 8, 2015

caddi daddi said:
if the card is modded avoid it unless it's a once in a life time deal and worth the risk.
I have an evga 970 ftw, it's clocked high at default and not going much beyond that, I lost the lottery.
and the warrany sticker is NOT over a screw.

I ended up going with the Strix. Will be here Tuesday! :attn:

Vellinious · Nov 9, 2015

Pretty sure the STRIX has hardware limited voltage. At 1.212v I believe. Which sucks. Takes a hardware mod to get around it. I've heard it's pretty easy, but...of course, voids the warranty. The EVGA card will have a 1.256 or 1.262v restriction in the bios, which can be modified with a custom bios...which doesn't void the warranty.

G'luck.

- - - Updated - - -

caddi daddi said:
if the card is modded avoid it unless it's a once in a life time deal and worth the risk.
I have an evga 970 ftw, it's clocked high at default and not going much beyond that, I lost the lottery.
and the warrany sticker is NOT over a screw.

In order to get the most out of the 970 FTW, you have to use a modded bios file. Just flash the 2nd bios with a bios that has increased power limits, more available voltage and a higher TDP. It's quite easy to do. There's absolutely no reason, unless you're stuck with a 65% or lower ASIC card, that you can't be hitting 1580 or above on the core.

If you want more info, PM me...I'll help ya out.

Kenrou · Nov 10, 2015

Vellinious said:
Pretty sure the STRIX has hardware limited voltage. At 1.212v I believe. Which sucks. Takes a hardware mod to get around it. I've heard it's pretty easy, but...of course, voids the warranty. The EVGA card will have a 1.256 or 1.262v restriction in the bios, which can be modified with a custom bios...which doesn't void the warranty.

1.237v, can also be raised with a custom BIOS, no hardware mod required.

Vellinious · Nov 10, 2015

Yeah....that's too bad.

Please help me decide between Asus Strix GTX 980 ti and EVGA SC+ AC2.0+

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