EVGA GTX 780ti SC or PNY GTX 780ti

[Dave3000]

I right now have a PNY GTX 780ti on delivery but I've been considering refusing delivery on it and ordering the EVGA GTX 780ti SC (non-ACX version). I bought the PNY GTX 780ti for $680, and the EVGA GTX 780ti SC is currently $700 at the online store I bought the PNY card. I prefer the GTX 780ti reference cooler over 3rd party coolers and the EVGA one is the fastest one that uses the reference cooler. Is it worth the $20 extra to buy a factory-overclocked GTX 780ti with a reference cooler over the reference clocked version and refuse delivery on a reference clocked GTX 780ti?

 

[3DVagabond]

Why do you prefer the reference cooler? The custom coolers will maintain higher boost clocks and run quieter.

 

[n0x1ous]

Why do you prefer the reference cooler? The custom coolers will maintain higher boost clocks and run quieter.

Poor case airflow, sexy looks, multigpu possibilities. Plenty of good reasons to choose reference.

 

[Dave3000]

I read that the ACX cooler dumps the hot air inside the case and the reference cooler exhausts the hot air out of the case. I read that you need good airflow in your case if you use a card with the ACX cooler. I only have 1 140 mm intake fan and 1 120 mm exhaust fan for case fans and I'm not sure if that's sufficient airflow for a card with ACX cooler. Also I'm not sure if my CPU and RAM will overheat during heavy gaming if I use a card with an ACX cooler since the CPU and RAM are located above the video card and it's a fact that hot air rises. Also I might consider buying a smaller case in the future, around the size of an Antec 300 because my current case I find too bulky.

 

[3DVagabond]

Poor case airflow, sexy looks, multigpu possibilities. Plenty of good reasons to choose reference.

I have no idea how you could possibly answer that question for him. Unless you simply thought I was ignorant on the pros of a blower style cooler?

I read that the ACX cooler dumps the hot air inside the case and the reference cooler exhausts the hot air out of the case. I read that you need good airflow in your case if you use a card with the ACX cooler. I only have 1 140 mm intake fan and 1 120 mm exhaust fan for case fans and I'm not sure if that's sufficient airflow for a card with ACX cooler. Also I'm not sure if my CPU and RAM will overheat during heavy gaming if I use a card with an ACX cooler since the CPU and RAM are located above the video card and it's a fact that hot air rises. Also I might consider buying a smaller case in the future, around the size of an Antec 300 because my current case I find too bulky.

Fair enough, if your case has poor air flow.

It's just that the reference cooler does need to have it's profile set more aggressively than the stock settings to maintain max boost clocks. It makes it noisier, although still quiet for a blower style cooler.

 

[Termie]

The reference cooler is most definitely the right choice in the OP's situation, and to answer the question, no, don't bother refusing delivery. All these cards will overclock to near the same limit.