EVGA 970/980s - inferior components?

[nine9s]

I have seen some messages on this forum about EVGA using inferior memory and other components. I am fixing to buy either a 970 or 980 and I was going EVGA but after reading this messages I an rethinking it.

Is this just opinion or fact (any webpages you can cite that analyze the components?) Please confirm if there are sites analyses showing they are inferior please because I can get a good deal on one and it has much higher out-of-box clock speeds than other brands.

Also please note: My understanding about the heat sinks on the 970 AXC 2.0 is that the two large heatpipes are centered on the GPU with the third smaller one cooling the over heatsink and it is designed to not touch the GPU. This reason I brought up the last part is incase that is only negative thing cited.

 

[tweakboy]

Not to Titan 2Whwat CPU do you have ? We need your specs in sig so we can help. gb

 

[Tech_Greek]

Correct on the heat sinks (two on center, one touching the side), this is why I went with the MSI or Asus, ended up choosing the MSI based on the higher OC potential according to all the reviews I read.

As far as the memory, didn't see anything about. I personally wouldn't trust an EVGA product as far as I could throw it anymore based on their shoddy "that's the way we designed it" routine.

 

[nine9s]

Thanks. Anyone else have any links or confirmations about EVGA current quality on the 970/980?

 

[96Firebird]

They're fine, the heatsink does a good job cooling the GPU and its pretty quiet. You really can't go wrong with any of the recent Maxwell cards, since the GPU doesn't require much heat dissipation.

First time I've ever heard EVGA using inferior memory. My card has Samsung memory, which is one of the best.

 

[nine9s]

They're fine, the heatsink does a good job cooling the GPU and its pretty quiet. You really can't go wrong with any of the recent Maxwell cards, since the GPU doesn't require much heat dissipation.

First time I've ever heard EVGA using inferior memory. My card has Samsung memory, which is one of the best.

Thanks.

Is this the one you have: http://www.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=04g-p4-2974-kr

That one has Samsung memory?

 

[96Firebird]

I actually have the ACX 1.0 version, which is no longer sold because it was replaced with the ACX 2.0 version. It was cheaper at launch. I'm assuming all EVGA 970s have Samsung memory, since mine is close to the bottom rung on the EVGA 970 ladder. The EVGA 970 FTW reviewed by Anandtech also has Samsung memory, as can be seen here.

However, there is no guarantee which memory you will get, and I doubt there is a huge difference between the brands. As long as they meet the 7000MHz spec, overclocking is all up to chance.

 

[escrow4]

Gigabyte Windforce. Can't go wrong (so far anyway).

 

[XiandreX]

Gigabyte Windforce. Can't go wrong (so far anyway).

I am loving my Windforce. Quiet, overclocks well and is a pleasure to use. :thumbsup:

 

[ShintaiDK]

Loving my EVGA 980 SC reference.

 

[PrincessFrosty]

I heard something about them re-using the coolers from the prior gen and only 2 of the heatpipes are positioned over the GPU. I've not heard of that causing problems at stock speeds but I imagine that it hinders cooling when you're overclocking.

I don't think that's very good practice reusing inappropriate components so I'm avoiding EVGA, I considered them for my new 980 but went with MSI instead.

 

[lehtv]

Loving my EVGA 980 SC reference.

Same here, although it is not a reference cooler, it's just a cheap blower cooler. Reference coolers aren't even available on retail 970's because of cost. Despite that, the cooler is quiet for a blower. I haven't overclocked though and don't plan to, but if I did, I'd just install an Accelero.