Can't decide on custom 1080s...

[Pillendreher]

Hey guys.

So after the kinda disappointing Vega launch, I've been doing some research on custom GTX 1080s. I've been reading reviews, looking at videos, the works. Unfortunately, this has left me even more confused...

I think I can narrow things down to these cards (I've left out some cards which are only oc'd versions or have subpar cooling solutions):

• EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 SC2 Gaming iCX: 549 €
• EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 SC Gaming ACX 3.0: 569 €
• EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 FTW Gaming ACX 3.0: 579 €
• EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 FTW2 Gaming iCX: 599 €
• Gainward GeForce GTX 1080 Phoenix: 548 €
• Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 Windforce OC: 528 €
• Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 G1 Gaming, 8GB GDDR5X: 549 €
• Gigabyte Aorus GeForce GTX 1080 8G 11Gbps: 578 €
• Gigabyte Aorus GeForce GTX 1080 8G 11Gbps: 579 €
• Gigabyte Aorus GeForce GTX 1080 Xtreme Edition: 597 €
• Inno3D GeForce GTX 1080 Twin X2: 539 €
• Inno3D GeForce GTX 1080 iChill X3: 597 €
• Inno3D GeForce GTX 1080 iChill X4: 598 €
• KFA² GeForce GTX 1080 EXOC: 498 €
• MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G: 579 €
• Palit GeForce GTX 1080 JetStream: 547 €
• Palit GeForce GTX 1080 GameRock: 557 €
• Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 AMP!: 518 €
• Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 AMP! Extreme: 589 €

Now I of course am looking to spend as few money as possible, but I also don't want to waste money by being too cheap.

Palit and Gaindward is basically the same manufacturer. Given their recent warranty 'escapades' (late Dec 2016, Palit restructured and suddenly Gainward cards were without warranty; they said they'd uphold warranty out of goodwill, but that's a red flag to me. Also, I've heard that Gainward might be bankrupt, so there's that...).
Inno3D is kinda unknown/not really common afaik and not really cheaper than other 1080s.

So that leaves me with

• EVGA
• Gigabyte
• KFA2
• MSI
• Zotac

Now I of course have heard of EVGA's great customer support. To be honest, I really would like to avoid spending 500+ bucks on a GPU and be left with a defect card just shortly after the warranty runs out. So the 5 year warranty both Zotac and EVGA offer is a huge plus in my opinion.
Afaik, EVGA fixed their cooling problems (thermal pads...) and is up to par with their 1080s (again), tho I don't know if their 1080 lineup is worth the higher price. PC Games Hardware had the FTW ACX just as quiet as the Gaming X (2.4 sone on the FTW, 2.3 sone on the Gaming X) while the FTW was at 79°C and the Gaming X was at 74°C (I don't think EVGA had fixed their cooling issues at the time of the review, so there's that). I would greatly appreciate any input into EVGA's current 1080s.
The Zotac AMP! seems to be quiet, but also hot per TechPowerUp. The AMP! Extreme's reviews I've seen places the card as both quiet and cool, which is a huge plus in my opinion, but the card is also vastly more expensive than other cards.
The MSI Gaming X seems to be a very well rated card with regards to both cooling and noice.
Gigabyte...I don't know. Seems to me their cards are OK, but nothing spectacular.
The KFA2 seems to be a darkhorse among 1080s. From what I've read in message boards, owners like the card, but again: How is the support and warranty?

I would greatly appreciate any input you guys can offer me. I'm not really looking to overclock the card to the max. If anything, cooling and noise is what is important to me. I've spent years with a badly ventilated case and a hot 1090T and 6950. Now that I've finally invested some money into upgrading to a Ryzen System (1600 with a Noctua U14S) and a very good Fractal Design R4, I'm not willing to pay that kind of money only to put a vacuum cleaner in my case. If anything, I would try to find that UV-OC sweetspot.

Cheers

 

[qubit]

Don't bother with that Zotax Extreme unless you wanna run your fans all the time with a custom profile to get around an idiotic design fault. Check out my story here:

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/...nsive-zotac-gtx-1080-amp-extreme-cards.233102

If not for that one issue the card is superb. Fantastic build quality, sits really firmly in the slot and super quiet. It's a three slot card, btw.

I had the Palit GameRock before that which was very good. Very quiet and no stupid fan problem. Unfortunately it died, the replacement didn't work, but a third did. Buy it if you want it, but with this reliability caveat.

 

[cadaveca]

I got this one:

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_1080_Gaming_X/23.html


Seems pretty quiet...

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Welcome to TPU!
Spending extra money on a factory OC'd GPU is normally a waste of money, unless that also includes better cooling. You don't have ASUS on your list, and I would consider them alongside EVGA and MSI. I've always felt that the "SC" versions from EVGA have been one of the best value lines and their EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 SC2 Gaming iCX above looks like another hit. In general, if quietness is very important to you, go MSI Gaming.

 

[ASOT]

MSI-EVGA-Gigabyte-Asus either are ok,pick the one u like more

 

[Pillendreher]

Don't bother with that Zotax Extreme unless you wanna run your fans all the time with a custom profile to get around an idiotic design fault. Check out my story here:

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/...nsive-zotac-gtx-1080-amp-extreme-cards.233102

If not for that one issue the card is superb. Fantastic build quality, sits really firmly in the slot and super quiet. It's a three slot card, btw.

Hey man. Yeah I saw your thread yesterday. I don't have a problem with custom fan profiles: Have been using them ever since Afterburner came out. I don't even bother with factory set fan curves

The AMP! Extreme would set me back 590 - 600 €. Per Tom's Hardware, the card seems to have a problem cooling its VRMs: While fully using the 270 W Power Target, the VRMs' temperature seems to be well above what it should be according to the specs.

I think I'm gonna read a couple more reviews on it. Tbh, I don't want to spend 600 bucks if the manufacturer cheaps out on things like that.

I had the Palit GameRock before that which was very good. Very quiet and no stupid fan problem. Unfortunately it died, the replacement didn't work, but a third did. Buy it if you want it, but with this reliability caveat.

Yeah, like I said: Palit/Gainward seems kinda fishy to me at the moment.

I got this one:

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_1080_Gaming_X/23.html


Seems pretty quiet...

Yeah seems to me the Gaming X seems to be a very good card, although it also seems to have problems with cooling the whole card (per Tom's Hardware).

Welcome to TPU!
Spending extra money on a factory OC'd GPU is normally a waste of money, unless that also includes better cooling. You don't have ASUS on your list, and I would consider them alongside EVGA and MSI. I've always felt that the "SC" versions from EVGA have been one of the best value lines and their EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 SC2 Gaming iCX above looks like another hit. In general, if quietness is very important to you, go MSI Gaming.

Yeah I don't care about factory overclocking at all. I don't have ASUS on my list because they don't offer a single custom 1080 for less than 610 €.

Yeah with EVGA it most likely comes down to SC2 vs FTW2 since the ICX coolers are an improvement upon the ACX coolers iirc. I might go ahead and see if there are any SC reviews since most reviewers haven't bothered with the SC2 yet.

MSI-EVGA-Gigabyte-Asus either are ok,pick the one u like more

Yeah that's my problem - I can't decide

 

[Vario]

Isn't 1080 kind of old now, new 2080 sku should be just around corner right?

 

[rtwjunkie]

Yeah with EVGA it most likely comes down to SC2 vs FTW2 since the ICX coolers are an improvement upon the ACX coolers iirc. I might go ahead and see if there are any SC reviews since most reviewers haven't bothered with the SC2 yet.

Make sure you read as much as you can on the EVGA's. I don't know if they do it with the 1080's, but there is usually a distinct difference in the SC vs SSC vs FTW. Their practice on the SC models has been to have fewer phases , and slightly less VRM cooling than on the higher models. For that reason I will always buy SSC and above. Since you are looks nag at the ICX cooler models you should be much safer with their improved solution.

Isn't 1080 kind of old now, new 2080 sku should be just around corner right?

Earlier in the week Nvidia said they would likely be holding off on any real changes for another year.

 

[Pillendreher]

Isn't 1080 kind of old now, new 2080 sku should be just around corner right?

Yeah, but I've been waiting to buy a new GPU since I sold my R9 390 in June. I'm not willing to wait another year or so. It always takes time till the prices drop and I don't have another card besides a 6850, but that one is not good enough anymore to play anything.

Make sure you read as much as you can on the EVGA's. I don't know if they do it with the 1080's, but there is usually a distinct difference in the SC vs SSC vs FTW. Their practice on the SC models has been to have fewer phases , and slightly less VRM cooling than on the higher models. For that reason I will always buy SSC and above. Since you are looks nag at the ICX cooler models you should be much safer with their improved solution.

If you don't mind me asking: What's 'SSC'? I don't see any 'SSC' cards on the EVGA website.

Regarding the differences:

I also found this:

https://www.reddit.com/r/nvidia/comments/6dxlqi/help_me_pick_what_version_evga_1080_to_get/di6cxp1/

Also regarding phases:

https://www.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=08G-P4-6583-KR

This page says 5+1 for the SC2 and 14+3 for the FTW2.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Prior to their introduction of ICX and SC2, they had the SSC which was Super Superclocked or SSC. Probably there is now less need to differentiate them that way.

It looks like they are still carrying on that mess with the 1060's though...there is an SSC and SSC2. LOL.

https://www.evga.com/products/produ...GeForce+10+Series+Family&chipset=GTX+1060+6GB

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Maybe you should read this. It's only 40 € more than the SC2: https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Zotac/GeForce_GTX_1080_Amp_Extreme/

Edit: The non extreme version isn't bad either and it's the 2nd cheapest one on your list: https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Zotac/GeForce_GTX_1080_Amp/

 

[dorsetknob]

Inno3D is kinda unknown/not really common afaik and not really cheaper than other 1080s.

you Should read this Thread

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/...warranty-void-on-their-graphics-cards.236490/

It MAY Reinforce your decision to Avoid the Brand

 

[Pillendreher]

Prior to their introduction of ICX and SC2, they had the SSC which was Super Superclocked or SSC. Probably there is now less need to differentiate them that way.

It looks like they are still carrying on that mess with the 1060's though...there is an SSC and SSC2. LOL.

https://www.evga.com/products/produ...GeForce+10+Series+Family&chipset=GTX+1060+6GB

That reminds me of Pep Guardiola who used to call his players 'Super Super Player' while being HC for Bayern München.

What do you think of the differences between SC2/FTW2?

Maybe you should read this. It's only 40 € more than the SC2: https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Zotac/GeForce_GTX_1080_Amp_Extreme/

Edit: The non extreme version isn't bad either and it's the 2nd cheapest one on your list: https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Zotac/GeForce_GTX_1080_Amp/

Yeah I'm gonna read up on both of them.

you Should read this Thread

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/...warranty-void-on-their-graphics-cards.236490/

It MAY Reinforce your decision to Avoid the Brand

Thanks for the advice. With that, they're off my list. Can't support manufacturers who think they can just screw around with warranty because they feel like it.

 

[Vario]

How about PNY?

 

[Pillendreher]

How about PNY?

The PNY GeForce GTX 1080 XLR8 OC Gaming is listed at 604 €. Unless its price gets reduced, that's too much.

 

[Vario]

The PNY GeForce GTX 1080 XLR8 OC Gaming is listed at 604 €. Unless its price gets reduced, that's too much.

The other possibility might be to get a 1070. Have you considered if that would meet your needs? It is a lot cheaper than the 1080 and is nearly the same performance.

 

[Pillendreher]

The other possibility might be to get a 1070. Have you considered if that would meet your needs? It is a lot cheaper than the 1080 and is nearly the same performance.

Yeah, I thought about it, but decided against it. Going by the 1080s recommended by reviewers, these are the prices for their 1070 versions:

ASUS 1070 Strix: 510 €
EVGA FTW2: 505 €
EVGA SC2: 469 €
Gainward Phoenix: 467 €
Gigabyte G1 Gaming: 443 €
KFA2 EX: 457 €
MSI Gaming X: 495 €
Palit Gamerock: 474 €
Zotac AMP: 439 €
Zotac AMP Extreme: 468 €

Given that I would sell the Destiny 2 key that comes with the 1080 for 30 € or so, that would leave me with a price difference of ~50 € in most cases. I'll pay that for the additional ~30 % in performance.

Buying a 1070 in Germany right now is not worth it compared to the 1080. Especially since there were/are some offers out there that put the 1080 within direct vicinity of the 1070.

 

[ASOT]

G1 or Zotac if money choice,then MSI Gaming X

The G1 are really ok and is lowest price,beside all

 

[Kanan]

Of all the ones listed there I like this one the best: "EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 SC2 Gaming iCX" (549 €)

Reason: simple, because GTX 1080 is a low power card and all cards overclock the same anyway, it's in the same league as those priced higher, you just have to apply your overclocks yourself, which is pretty easy (or not, if you don't want to). The alternative I see here would be the MSI Gaming X, it's a very silent and good built card as well, but also more expensive. The EVGA is basically a good deal.

 

[Vayra86]

MSI Gaming X 1080

That's where I landed. Gigabyte's G1 is a good offering too, but it can't touch the build quality of the MSI, nor its noise profile which is *simply unmatched*. The larger fans on the TwinFrozr really help it a lot. EVGA... kinda lost faith in them after seeing and experiencing several failed cooling designs.

 

[Pillendreher]

I just ordered a Zotac 1080 AMP! Extreme off of Ebay for 561 €. That's close to the lowest price before the mining craze. Let's see what this card can do

 

[Vellinious]

Hey guys.

So after the kinda disappointing Vega launch, I've been doing some research on custom GTX 1080s. I've been reading reviews, looking at videos, the works. Unfortunately, this has left me even more confused...

I think I can narrow things down to these cards (I've left out some cards which are only oc'd versions or have subpar cooling solutions):

• EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 SC2 Gaming iCX: 549 €
  
• EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 SC Gaming ACX 3.0: 569 €
  
• EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 FTW Gaming ACX 3.0: 579 €
  
• EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 FTW2 Gaming iCX: 599 €
  
• Gainward GeForce GTX 1080 Phoenix: 548 €
  
• Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 Windforce OC: 528 €
  
• Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 G1 Gaming, 8GB GDDR5X: 549 €
  
• Gigabyte Aorus GeForce GTX 1080 8G 11Gbps: 578 €
  
• Gigabyte Aorus GeForce GTX 1080 8G 11Gbps: 579 €
  
• Gigabyte Aorus GeForce GTX 1080 Xtreme Edition: 597 €
  
• Inno3D GeForce GTX 1080 Twin X2: 539 €
  
• Inno3D GeForce GTX 1080 iChill X3: 597 €
  
• Inno3D GeForce GTX 1080 iChill X4: 598 €
  
• KFA² GeForce GTX 1080 EXOC: 498 €
  
• MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G: 579 €
  
• Palit GeForce GTX 1080 JetStream: 547 €
  
• Palit GeForce GTX 1080 GameRock: 557 €
  
• Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 AMP!: 518 €
  
• Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 AMP! Extreme: 589 €

Now I of course am looking to spend as few money as possible, but I also don't want to waste money by being too cheap.

Palit and Gaindward is basically the same manufacturer. Given their recent warranty 'escapades' (late Dec 2016, Palit restructured and suddenly Gainward cards were without warranty; they said they'd uphold warranty out of goodwill, but that's a red flag to me. Also, I've heard that Gainward might be bankrupt, so there's that...).
Inno3D is kinda unknown/not really common afaik and not really cheaper than other 1080s.

So that leaves me with

• EVGA
  
• Gigabyte
  
• KFA2
  
• MSI
  
• Zotac

Now I of course have heard of EVGA's great customer support. To be honest, I really would like to avoid spending 500+ bucks on a GPU and be left with a defect card just shortly after the warranty runs out. So the 5 year warranty both Zotac and EVGA offer is a huge plus in my opinion.
Afaik, EVGA fixed their cooling problems (thermal pads...) and is up to par with their 1080s (again), tho I don't know if their 1080 lineup is worth the higher price. PC Games Hardware had the FTW ACX just as quiet as the Gaming X (2.4 sone on the FTW, 2.3 sone on the Gaming X) while the FTW was at 79°C and the Gaming X was at 74°C (I don't think EVGA had fixed their cooling issues at the time of the review, so there's that). I would greatly appreciate any input into EVGA's current 1080s.
The Zotac AMP! seems to be quiet, but also hot per TechPowerUp. The AMP! Extreme's reviews I've seen places the card as both quiet and cool, which is a huge plus in my opinion, but the card is also vastly more expensive than other cards.
The MSI Gaming X seems to be a very well rated card with regards to both cooling and noice.
Gigabyte...I don't know. Seems to me their cards are OK, but nothing spectacular.
The KFA2 seems to be a darkhorse among 1080s. From what I've read in message boards, owners like the card, but again: How is the support and warranty?

I would greatly appreciate any input you guys can offer me. I'm not really looking to overclock the card to the max. If anything, cooling and noise is what is important to me. I've spent years with a badly ventilated case and a hot 1090T and 6950. Now that I've finally invested some money into upgrading to a Ryzen System (1600 with a Noctua U14S) and a very good Fractal Design R4, I'm not willing to pay that kind of money only to put a vacuum cleaner in my case. If anything, I would try to find that UV-OC sweetspot.

Cheers

Some of those aren't Custom 1080s....they're reference boards with custom coolers.