GTX 980Ti finally launched - MSRP $649 - Reviews

[moonbogg]

Rather than create a new thread, I'll ask for the advice here. I got two 980ti's in SLI and a Sound Blaster Zxr installed between the cards. The sound card is in one of the large PCI-E slots, so it forces the GPU slots to work in x16/x8 mode because the motherboard sees that something is plugged into a third large PCI-E slot so it gives the sound card its own X8 bandwidth, forcing the three slots into x16/x8/x8.
I want my GPUs both at X16 (just for the hell of it, that 5fps, you know) so I plan on buying a PCI-E 1x cable and connecting the sound card to that. My sound card won't fit into the PCI-E 1x slot at the bottom of the board because it hits the GPU's I/O panel thingy, so I want to use an extension cable and install the sound card low enough so that it fits. This should not bother the two GPUs and they should hopefully work at x16 speeds since no other large PCI-E slots will be occupied.

http://www.amazon.com/HOTER-PCI-E-Express-Riser-Flexible/dp/B0057M0ABA

That's the thing right there. Think it will work?

Or....should I completely forget about this crap and move on with my life?

 

[the unknown]

Lol serious First World Problems right there.

 

[blackangst1]

Lol serious First World Problems right there.

LMAO +1 :thumbsup:

 

[guskline]

Rather than create a new thread, I'll ask for the advice here. I got two 980ti's in SLI and a Sound Blaster Zxr installed between the cards. The sound card is in one of the large PCI-E slots, so it forces the GPU slots to work in x16/x8 mode because the motherboard sees that something is plugged into a third large PCI-E slot so it gives the sound card its own X8 bandwidth, forcing the three slots into x16/x8/x8.
I want my GPUs both at X16 (just for the hell of it, that 5fps, you know) so I plan on buying a PCI-E 1x cable and connecting the sound card to that. My sound card won't fit into the PCI-E 1x slot at the bottom of the board because it hits the GPU's I/O panel thingy, so I want to use an extension cable and install the sound card low enough so that it fits. This should not bother the two GPUs and they should hopefully work at x16 speeds since no other large PCI-E slots will be occupied.

http://www.amazon.com/HOTER-PCI-E-Express-Riser-Flexible/dp/B0057M0ABA

That's the thing right there. Think it will work?

Or....should I completely forget about this crap and move on with my life?

Worth a shot at that price. I use Logitech G35 USB headphones so I don't have that problem.

 

[moonbogg]

I bought this one. Comes with a few different length cables and the connector is 90deg for the card. I think it will install better. I hope it works because that's a chunk of change for that thing. The other ones had reviews saying the soldering was so bad that it might be shorted out upon arrival. They looked cheap and crappy.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GWM6C8Y?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

OMG guys wish me luck.

GUSKLINE! Where is that beastly GPU? I can't wait to see your impressions. I bet you hit around 1500 and end up faster than your 290's. That would be sick.

 

[guskline]

moonbogg: Got the EVGA GTX 980 TI SC+BP yesterday. The waterblock hasn't arrived yet. I decided to replace the single Sapphire Tri-X R9 290 OC in my othe rig (3770k @4,5Ghz with Kraken X60) with the aircooled GTX980TI SC just to see the difference. OMG I'm blown away!

The R9 290 was nice but this EVGA GTX980 TI SC+BP reeks of power. I have a 27" Achieva Shimian 2560 x 1440 ISP monitor on the 3770k rig.

Might keep this in the 3770k rig and keep the dual 290s in my 5960X main rig below.

I'm selling the air cooled Sapphire Tri-X 290 that came out of the 3770k rig.

 

[moonbogg]

moonbogg: Got the EVGA GTX 980 TI SC+BP yesterday. The waterblock hasn't arrived yet. I decided to replace the single Sapphire Tri-X R9 290 OC in my othe rig (3770k @4,5Ghz with Kraken X60) with the aircooled GTX980TI SC just to see the difference. OMG I'm blown away!

The R9 290 was nice but this EVGA GTX980 TI SC+BP reeks of power. I have a 27" Achieva Shimian 2560 x 1440 ISP monitor on the 3770k rig.

Might keep this in the 3770k rig and keep the dual 290s in my 5960X main rig below.

I'm selling the air cooled Sapphire Tri-X 290 that came out of the 3770k rig.

Sounds awesome. I think that card is a good match for a 3770k. I'm looking forward to your impressions once you start really playing around with the OC potential, especially on that water block. Mine have never broken 50c no matter the OC or stress level. One card hit 50c once, but that's it and it was really hot in my room because the door was closed, window closed and AC off. The rig turned the room into an oven!



EDIT: HAH! The PCI-E cable worked! Both cards at 16x. I pushed the cards as far as I care to manage, they boosted to 1515 and ram was like 7900. Heres my best 3dMark Extreme score.

Not interested in trying for further, although I wanted to crack 16000. Oh well. I'm not running them that high for playing games. I want them to last and stay healthy.

 

[guskline]

Good lord moonbogg, those cards are BEASTS. Just got my waterblock on my GTX980TI SC and replace the 2 R9 290s with it. Real solid card that almost matches 2 R9 290s in CF!

 

[Innokentij]

Just got my waterblock on my GTX980TI SC and replace the 2 R9 290s with it. Real solid card that almost matches 2 R9 290s in CF!

Say what now?

 

[xthetenth]

EDIT: HAH! The PCI-E cable worked! Both cards at 16x. I pushed the cards as far as I care to manage, they boosted to 1515 and ram was like 7900. Heres my best 3dMark Extreme score.

Got any pics? I'd be real interested in how it's set up.

 

[moonbogg]

Got any pics? I'd be real interested in how it's set up.

I'll post one tonight, but for now you can imagine two cards in SLI and at the bottom of the board on the very last little PCI-E 1x slot, that's where I have the cable plugged in and the sound card is sitting right there just below it. It worked out pretty well.

Also, Guskline, do you plan on OCing your 980ti? At least a little? I'm curious about a comparison before OC and after OC of your setup.

 

[guskline]

moonbogg: I'll eventually OC it but truthfully it's darn fast stock (remember it's the Superclock so stock is 1102 core) I'll try to push it but I was tired last night just getting it set up. BTW, I have both Sapphire Tri-X R9 290s in the 3770k rig. They are back to air cooled (great coolers)

 

[moonbogg]

moonbogg: I'll eventually OC it but truthfully it's darn fast stock (remember it's the Superclock so stock is 1102 core) I'll try to push it but I was tired last night just getting it set up. BTW, I have both Sapphire Tri-X R9 290s in the 3770k rig. They are back to air cooled (great coolers)

Yeah I hear ya. They are plenty fast stock for sure. Congrats on that card.

 

[guskline]

Thanks moonbogg. Those twin BEASTS of yours must reak havoc on your monitor!

 

[Rvenger]

I can run at all the same settings as my 290 crossfire so I don't see a need for 2 for me just yet.

Once I move to 144hz, I will.

 

[desprado]

I can run at all the same settings as my 290 crossfire so I don't see a need for 2 for me just yet.

Once I move to 144hz, I will.

you are on 1080p?

 

[bepo]

Will the Corsair HG10 N980 work the 980ti? I have an extra CLC so I think this would be a good alternative to the EVGA Hybrid since it's never in stock. What would be the best card to get with the plan to use the air cooler until the HG10 N980 comes out, is EVGA the best choice because of their warranty and water cooler policy?

Link to HG10 N980:
http://www.corsair.com/en/hydro-series-hg10-n980-gpu-liquid-cooling-bracket

 

[moonbogg]

Got any pics? I'd be real interested in how it's set up.

I'm a little late and this isn't the clearest pic, but you can see what's happening. At the bottom you see the sound card is held in place with the case bracket screw. If the screw wasn't there the sound card would be sitting on the power supply, because its not supported by the PCI-E slot on the mother board like usual.
You then see a small gray cable plugged into the motherboard right above the sound card. That's the new cable. Right above the sound card you see the GPU's I/O bracket and how its angled and won't let the sound card fit. So the cable worked well.

Thanks moonbogg. Those twin BEASTS of yours must reak havoc on your monitor!

Yeah BF4 is often pegged right at 144 with dips into the 120's. It almost never goes below 100 now.

 

[guskline]

Does your PSU have intake from blow?

 

[Rvenger]

you are on 1080p?

1440p IPS.

 

[railven]

Will the Corsair HG10 N980 work the 980ti? I have an extra CLC so I think this would be a good alternative to the EVGA Hybrid since it's never in stock. What would be the best card to get with the plan to use the air cooler until the HG10 N980 comes out, is EVGA the best choice because of their warranty and water cooler policy?

Link to HG10 N980:
http://www.corsair.com/en/hydro-series-hg10-n980-gpu-liquid-cooling-bracket

Everything I've read says to yes, which is what I'm betting on. Same route I'm going. Was hoping for a surprise July release, but articles say August

 

[DiogoDX]

Just bought a evga 980Ti acx2. Which is the most stable driver for the card?

Nvidia site is recommending the 353.30.

 

[Sabrewings]

Just bought a evga 980Ti acx2. Which is the most stable driver for the card?

Nvidia site is recommending the 353.30.

353.38:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2437331

 

[moonbogg]

Does your PSU have intake from blow?

Its from above. I thought maybe the sound card was blocking the air flow, but at least there is a space between them. The fan never spins very fast anyway. What's the worst that can happen?

 

[guskline]

Its from above. I thought maybe the sound card was blocking the air flow, but at least there is a space between them. The fan never spins very fast anyway. What's the worst that can happen?

You can overheat a PSU NOT a good idea. I would be darn sure you have enough air flow. It looks like you do but I would try to move that sound card up higher if you can.