Best 980 ti card for micro atx sli?

JoeyMartin1958

Junior Member
Jun 11, 2015
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Hello everyone,

So I am currently planning on upgrading my computer. It is a micro atx build and currently runs a gtx 780. I am looking to do sli with two 980 tis. The main reason I want to do this is in preparation for the release of VR headsets like the oculus rift headset next spring. I am planning on having these upgrades ready by the end of this year. I have done some research into this and am aware that heat is going to be an issue. I know that a blower style fan would be best so that hot air isn't being kicked all over my case (Although I do have a veryy good fan setup with a total of 3 120mm fans and 2 140mm that move a lot of air through my corsair 350d). My questions is, what would be the best 980ti card for this job? The only blower style option I can seem to find is the reference cooler. I guess I am ok with this if there are no other options but that green led is absolutely awful and would completely ruin the color scheme of my build.

If my only options are the reference cooler, which card would be the best to go with out of those (ie reference, superclocked, super super clocked etc)?

Another option someone mentioned to me was to have a card such as the sea hawk or a 980ti hybrid in the top slot and a different one in the 2nd slot to ensure the top card stays cool. I am a little weary of using two different cards although technically it should work. Would there be any major issues with using two different cards like this? What would be a good secondary card to pin with the seahaw/hyrbrid?

Please do not tell me that I only need 1 980ti or that vr is stupid or I should wait. I am doing these upgrades now as I am going to college next year and know I will not have money to spend like this when I am there.

Thank you for your help
 
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tweakboy

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2010
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Well, micro ATX will not give you SLI, be happy if you can get 1 to work, What does headsets have to do with 980 Ti SLI. Please fill in your signature so we can help you further. gl
 

Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
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Running two standard 980 Ti cards on an mATX motherboard will not work. The top one will throttle way, way down, as it will essentially be uncooled.

Your only option, if you're going to stick with an mATX board, is to make the top card the EVGA 980 Ti Hybrid. It will still be starved for air, but because it is mostly liquid cooled, it will probably run fairly well even under these circumstances. Just note that you'll need to replace one of your 120mm fans with the Hybrid's radiator.
 

JoeyMartin1958

Junior Member
Jun 11, 2015
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Running two standard 980 Ti cards on an mATX motherboard will not work. The top one will throttle way, way down, as it will essentially be uncooled.

Your only option, if you're going to stick with an mATX board, is to make the top card the EVGA 980 Ti Hybrid. It will still be starved for air, but because it is mostly liquid cooled, it will probably run fairly well even under these circumstances. Just note that you'll need to replace one of your 120mm fans with the Hybrid's radiator.

That's a possibility I mentioned in my question. The only thing I'm not sure of would be what card to pair with the 980 to hybrid...
 

Termie

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Aug 17, 2005
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That's a possibility I mentioned in my question. The only thing I'm not sure of would be what card to pair with the 980 to hybrid...

Sorry, my point was that you only have one option, not two.

There's absolutely no issue with using two different models. I'd still choose a reference design for the lower card because it's smaller, and therefore will block less air than other cards. It will also exhaust less air into the Hybrid (but the back of the circuit board will still be incredibly hot, meaning the Hybrid will suck in nothing but super-heated air).

You can use any brand. No need to use EVGA just because that's who makes the Hybrid - Zotac and PNY also sell them for less.
 

Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
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why not 2 hybrids?

Actually, that's a good point. I was thinking he was using a liquid cooler for his CPU, but I see he has standard fans in all his fan slots. He could set up the second radiator blowing out the top.

Costs more, but I assume that isn't a major concern for the OP.

Here's a Corsair promo image for reference:

350d_side_open_built.png


BTW, I would not mount the second radiator in front. Setting it as exhaust messes with the airflow, setting it as intake will blow a huge amount of hot air into the case.
 

Keysplayr

Elite Member
Jan 16, 2003
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BTW OP, those green LED GeForce logos can be turned off via GeForce experience.
 

Despoiler

Golden Member
Nov 10, 2007
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I hate to break it to you, but you aren't going to want any of the current generation Nvidia cards for VR. AMD has the better implementation that Nvidia cannot even come close to in terms of performance. Nvidia won't be able to compete until Pascal. Your only choices are AMD now or AMD/Nvidia next gen.
 

Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
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Hello everyone,

So I am currently planning on upgrading my computer. ...

[snip]

Please do not tell me that I only need 1 980ti or that vr is stupid or I should wait. I am doing these upgrades now as I am going to college next year and know I will not have money to spend like this when I am there.

Thank you for your help

I hate to break it to you, but you aren't going to want any of the current generation Nvidia cards for VR. AMD has the better implementation that Nvidia cannot even come close to in terms of performance. Nvidia won't be able to compete until Pascal. Your only choices are AMD now or AMD/Nvidia next gen.

OP - I'm not sure I'd go as far as Despoiler did re: Nvidia vs. AMD, but he makes a good point. You should wait until VR is actually on the market. And here's a little financial tip - if you have the money now, you could have the money next year, even if you're going to college. Open a new savings account and put your money away until you're ready to buy your VR gear. It's a better financial move than spending it all now, when prices are higher and the tech hasn't been proven yet.
 

SolMiester

Diamond Member
Dec 19, 2004
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Running two standard 980 Ti cards on an mATX motherboard will not work. The top one will throttle way, way down, as it will essentially be uncooled.

Your only option, if you're going to stick with an mATX board, is to make the top card the EVGA 980 Ti Hybrid. It will still be starved for air, but because it is mostly liquid cooled, it will probably run fairly well even under these circumstances. Just note that you'll need to replace one of your 120mm fans with the Hybrid's radiator.

If the OP uses a silverstone case the mainboard will be rotated and wont have the throttling issue.
 

sam_816

Senior member
Aug 9, 2014
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Hybrids will still need air for the other power deliverycomponents' cooling. If the mobo is inverted then the rad on these components will be pointed downwards and will circulate the hot air inside. You can remove shroud from the cramped one to increase the air flow for it.

I think the only option for sucha small case is to liquid cool the components and keep the rad out of the case somehow where it will draw and exhaust air out of the case. You will need to do some simple modding like adding a box base which will hold ur rad in push pull and sit under the case.

Or you can wait for dual fury. It will be liquid cooled and hopefully will cool all the components with the waterblock without the need of any fans.
 

Termie

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Aug 17, 2005
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Hybrids will still need air for the other power deliverycomponents' cooling. If the mobo is inverted then the rad on these components will be pointed downwards and will circulate the hot air inside. You can remove shroud from the cramped one to increase the air flow for it.

I think the only option for sucha small case is to liquid cool the components and keep the rad out of the case somehow where it will draw and exhaust air out of the case. You will need to do some simple modding like adding a box base which will hold ur rad in push pull and sit under the case.

Or you can wait for dual fury. It will be liquid cooled and hopefully will cool all the components with the waterblock without the need of any fans.

Looks like you are actually running a setup a lot like the OP wants. Do you have both cards installed in your case at the same time? Which one is in the top slot? Hybrid or Gigabyte?
 

sam_816

Senior member
Aug 9, 2014
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Looks like you are actually running a setup a lot like the OP wants. Do you have both cards installed in your case at the same time? Which one is in the top slot? Hybrid or Gigabyte?



I was. In my case the mobo tray is horizontal. I had g1 in front and evga in main x16 slot. Both cards ran hot until I removed the side panel/s. At 4k I had to open every possible panel, window and slot. I am bit of a chicken and lose my cool when my gpu reaches 70+ temp. I sold my g1 yesterday(Still missing it though.) May be i will buy another hybrid or dual fury next year.

In the OP's case, if he really wants sli in small form factor then he should go for custom loop with gpu blocks that cool power delivery system as well. Or wait n see hoe fury dual performs. In my limited knowledge I understand that xfire works better than sli and since dual fury will be pair made in heaven(AMD's munufctrng units) they should be even better and should fit in one 980 ti's space.
 
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sam_816

Senior member
Aug 9, 2014
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I hate to break it to you, but you aren't going to want any of the current generation Nvidia cards for VR. AMD has the better implementation that Nvidia cannot even come close to in terms of performance. Nvidia won't be able to compete until Pascal. Your only choices are AMD now or AMD/Nvidia next gen.



I agree with him. I have a feeling that fury dual will launch with some huge news regarding VR (esp. Oculus) and like always NVIDIA will be there with their Pascal announcement to pi** on AMD 's party. I think next 2-3 months are gonna be eventful. OP should wait. Once next Gen cards are announced ppl will start selling their hybrids and furies in a hurry. He can grab a couple cheap or may be buy more compatible next gen cards. More Dx12 games will be out as well and claims that amd will do better with dx12 will also be put to rest by then.
 
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tential

Diamond Member
May 13, 2008
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I agree with him. I have a feeling that fury dual will launch with some huge news regarding VR (esp. Oculus) and like always NVIDIA will be there with their Pascal announcement to pi** on AMD 's party. I think next 2-3 months are gonna be eventful. OP should wait. Once next Gen cards are announced ppl will start selling their hybrids and furies in a hurry. He can grab a couple cheap or may be buy more compatible next gen cards. More Dx12 games will be out as well and claims that amd will do better with dx12 will also be put to rest by then.
I really don't understand why people think it is a remotely intelligent idea to purchase a graphics card for a specific use, months before that use is possible.

It's mind boggling. Unless you have some amazing deal right now, you always wait yet we regularly get these threads in which someone is buying gpus for some game/feature in the distant future.
 

Unoid

Senior member
Dec 20, 2012
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I suggest you look at reviews of fury's in x-fire vs 980Ti's.

if you have room for two 120mm rads, the Fury X xfire would be best.

even two nano's would be pretty kickass.