Primarily Gaming Purposes - GTX 970 vs GTX 980 vs GTX 780Ti - 2/3 Way SLI ?

[sidrockrulz]

Yes, because NV has neutered the voltage adjustments on the cards. If you could adjust voltage it could really be an amazing overclocker. I'd guess you'll be lucky if it goes any higher under water since they don't seem to be thermally limited.

Any BIOS hacks to override this ?? Also, do BIOS hacks void warranty ?

 

[wand3r3r]

Any BIOS hacks to override this ?? Also, do BIOS hacks void warranty ?

I don't know for the 9xx series, I haven't seen any yet but I haven't followed it either.

Yes they do void warranty.

 

[Creig]

It seems pretty obvious to me that a pair of used 290/290X is your best option.

1) You're planning to watercool, so your video card warranties will be void. No sense buying new unless the price difference is negligible or you want the game bundles.
2) 290/290X are cheaper than 970/980 and provide roughly the same performance.
3) 290/290X have full voltage control, unlike the 970/980.
4) 290/290X on water have been proven to be great overclockers.
5) 290/290X Crossfire has better multi-GPU scaling than 970/980 SLI. Definitely odd to say this, but true.

 

[SperglordActual]

I don't know for the 9xx series, I haven't seen any yet but I haven't followed it either.

Yes they do void warranty.

Skyn3t is working on the BIOS and NVflash is now working so it shouldnt be too much longer: http://www.overclock.net/t/1513920/official-nvidia-gtx-980-owners-club

The 980 will probably OC like crazy with the unlocked BIOS... That said the 290x CF under water will probably be the best bang for your buck, especially given recent price drops.

 

[sidrockrulz]

I don't know for the 9xx series, I haven't seen any yet but I haven't followed it either.

Yes they do void warranty.

Looks like there is one, but not so stable

And it sucks that they void warranty...

 

[sidrockrulz]

It seems pretty obvious to me that a pair of used 290/290X is your best option.

1) You're planning to watercool, so your video card warranties will be void. No sense buying new unless the price difference is negligible or you want the game bundles.
2) 290/290X are cheaper than 970/980 and provide roughly the same performance.
3) 290/290X have full voltage control, unlike the 970/980.
4) 290/290X on water have been proven to be great overclockers.

Yes... True all that.. What about warranties of used cards ? Is it a hassle ??

5) 290/290X Crossfire has better multi-GPU scaling than 970/980 SLI. Definitely odd to say this, but true.
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Im sure there's a lot of debate about it....

Only thing i am concerned about with the R9 series cards are the insane power draws which seriously limits OC, but again watercooling should take care of it..

 

[sidrockrulz]

1) You're planning to watercool, so your video card warranties will be void. No sense buying new unless the price difference is negligible or you want the game bundles.

Not always !

Chk this out: http://xfxforce.com/en-us/support/faq

 

[sidrockrulz]

Also, how much better a boost does the 290X have over a 290 ?

 

[3DVagabond]

Also, how much better a boost does the 290X have over a 290 ?

Not much once you set them to the same clocks. ~5%.