MSI To Evga : We can W/C 580's as well and for less

frostedflakes

Diamond Member
Mar 1, 2005
7,925
1
81
The eVGA card looks nicer IMO, has the full waterblock (although it looks like the MSI block covers all the areas that actually matter, GPU/RAM/VRM) and back plate as well. Plus eVGA comes with lifetime warranty and other perks of the brand (step-up program, stuff like that).

If I was going to spend $600+ on a video card I'd probably just go all out and get the eVGA (I mean what's another $70 when you're already spending $630, obviously money isn't much of an issue), but that's me.
 

stahlhart

Super Moderator Graphics Cards
Dec 21, 2010
4,273
77
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Everyone knows green PCB is better quality anyway.

I thought that made the inside of the case look too "90s".
facej.gif
 

notty22

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2010
3,375
0
0
Unless your supremely confident in your ability to install a full water block and that the ram and VRM's are going to be cooled correctly (the first install/attempt) it would be not smart to try to save a few bucks and not buy a pre-installed water block. Even more son on a 500 dollar card. You want to decrease the chances of having to drain and tear apart your rig. Imho.
 

Gloomy

Golden Member
Oct 12, 2010
1,469
21
81
wow, is that card single slot..? (certainly appears that way from the pictures)

yes, they market it as single slot for ease of 2x and 3x sli configurations

very attractive card. slim, and to look at it you can't tell it's the fastest solution on the market at the moment :thumbsup:

here's the evga competitor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130601

single slot high end solutions are really cool
 
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nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
9,031
36
91
Agreed except for the galaxy blue PCB. What were they thinking.

That Heatkiller on the MSI is no slouch of a waterblock. Although, I'd probably opt for the EK myself - nickel/Acetal though, and not the copper/plexy version.

I think EK has a partnership with PowerColor though, so I doubt we'll see any EK blocks from NVIDIA board partners.
 
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Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
FWIW the EVGA card comes with a backplate (cosmetic plus protects PCB even though it doesn't help temperatures) and barbs. That's worth about half of the cost difference. Consider the other half warranty.
 

manimal

Lifer
Mar 30, 2007
13,559
8
0
Unless your supremely confident in your ability to install a full water block and that the ram and VRM's are going to be cooled correctly (the first install/attempt) it would be not smart to try to save a few bucks and not buy a pre-installed water block. Even more son on a 500 dollar card. You want to decrease the chances of having to drain and tear apart your rig. Imho.

this


and you can rma if something goes wrong-outside of you goofing-
 

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
9,031
36
91
Unless your supremely confident in your ability to install a full water block and that the ram and VRM's are going to be cooled correctly (the first install/attempt) it would be not smart to try to save a few bucks and not buy a pre-installed water block. Even more son on a 500 dollar card. You want to decrease the chances of having to drain and tear apart your rig. Imho.

If you can't install a water block you have no business water cooling in the first place.
 

Elganja

Platinum Member
May 21, 2007
2,143
24
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EVGA is a FTW card... so best binned cards, faster stock speeds, etc...

Lifetime warranty on the entire card AND waterblock is worth the extra coin imho
 

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
9,031
36
91
EVGA is a FTW card... so best binned cards, faster stock speeds, etc...

Lifetime warranty on the entire card AND waterblock is worth the extra coin imho

The binned card is probably the best reason IMO. All EVGA (AR) cards are lifetime warranted even if you install your own water block. The warranty is good as long as you don't physically damage the card during install or get it wet. I'm pretty sure the getting it wet part still voids EVGA's own water cooled cards as well.

The advantage to having the air cooled card + separate block is resale. It is much, much easier to sell a used air cooled card on ebay than it is to sell a card with a water block only.
 

Elganja

Platinum Member
May 21, 2007
2,143
24
81
The binned card is probably the best reason IMO. All EVGA (AR) cards are lifetime warranted even if you install your own water block. The warranty is good as long as you don't physically damage the card during install or get it wet. I'm pretty sure the getting it wet part still voids EVGA's own water cooled cards as well.

The advantage to having the air cooled card + separate block is resale. It is much, much easier to sell a used air cooled card on ebay than it is to sell a card with a water block only.

oh yeah... for sure. I guess i never think it out that far (reselling that is) :(
 

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
9,031
36
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oh yeah... for sure. I guess i never think it out that far (reselling that is) :(

LOL! I do. Every component I buy is just a future sale. I keep every box and accessory for everything, plus I take good care of my gear because I know this helps resale. I really wish I could just lease computer parts. :)
 

flexcore

Member
Jul 4, 2010
193
0
0
Evga also includes OCing in their warranty. If I was to buy a product of this caliber and price, I would want that coverage for my sanity. I would be afraid to OC a card that expensive, have it fail and be out the money. MSI doesn't cover OC so, no money from me unless it is a part I plan to use stock.
 

Castiel

Golden Member
Dec 31, 2010
1,772
1
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Evga also includes OCing in their warranty. If I was to buy a product of this caliber and price, I would want that coverage for my sanity. I would be afraid to OC a card that expensive, have it fail and be out the money. MSI doesn't cover OC so, no money from me unless it is a part I plan to use stock.

I'd love to see the quote from EVGA about overclocking being included