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MSI GeForce GTX 980 Gaming OC review
Posted by: on: 10/02/2014 01:08 PM [
32 comment(s) ]
In this review we test the MSI GeForce GTX 980 Gaming OC edition graphics card. It is the big brother of the GTX 970 Gaming OC edition we tested last week. Armed with some more performance this model comes with that new TwinFrozr V cooler. The GM204-400 chip is plastered onto a custom PCB. The card comes factory clocked faster as as well at a 1216 MHz base /1317 MHz boost clock frequency. The card has 4 GB graphics memory, is energy efficient and factory overclocked for you. You will be surprised by how this card looks, how silent it is, how well it performs and how much it can be overclocked.
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Corbus
Senior Member
Posts: 2243
Senior Member
Posts: 2243
Posted on: 10/02/2014 01:28 PM
FLIR looks a lot better than on the 970. Nice review.
FLIR looks a lot better than on the 970. Nice review.
Hilbert Hagedoorn
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 33527
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 33527
Posted on: 10/02/2014 01:30 PM
FLIR imaging added to overclock page as well.
BTW after reading some comments, I checked out the fan and coil-noise notifications that we have heard from in the past few days. I can not replicate either one of them. This product is drop-dead silent.
FLIR imaging added to overclock page as well.
BTW after reading some comments, I checked out the fan and coil-noise notifications that we have heard from in the past few days. I can not replicate either one of them. This product is drop-dead silent.
plodge85
Senior Member
Posts: 241
Senior Member
Posts: 241
Posted on: 10/02/2014 01:32 PM
Guys, maybe I'm missing something, if games like Shadow Of Mordor need 6GB VRAM to play @ Ultra settings, are cards like this not DOA?
Guys, maybe I'm missing something, if games like Shadow Of Mordor need 6GB VRAM to play @ Ultra settings, are cards like this not DOA?
Lane
Senior Member
Posts: 6361
Senior Member
Posts: 6361
Posted on: 10/02/2014 01:35 PM
Thoses 980 remind more and more the Cypress HD5870 ...( or even 4870 at this time ).
Thoses 980 remind more and more the Cypress HD5870 ...( or even 4870 at this time ).
Hilbert Hagedoorn
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 33527
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 33527
Posted on: 10/02/2014 01:37 PM
There will always be a game that requires more then way above average.
So especially for your wallet we expect 8GB versions in the future as well. An once 8GB cards are out, some software house will find a mode to exceed that number as well. As hey, your game makes the news and is topic of hot discussion in forums and social media platforms ... right ?
Guys, maybe I'm missing something, if games like Shadow Of Mordor need 6GB VRAM to play @ Ultra settings, are cards like this not DOA?
There will always be a game that requires more then way above average.
So especially for your wallet we expect 8GB versions in the future as well. An once 8GB cards are out, some software house will find a mode to exceed that number as well. As hey, your game makes the news and is topic of hot discussion in forums and social media platforms ... right ?
gUNN1993
Senior Member
Posts: 237
Senior Member
Posts: 237
Posted on: 10/02/2014 02:14 PM
Quite frankly there's something off there, they also say high requires 3Gb of Vram but it looks average as ****, i've yet to see any actual reports of it needing that much.
Guys, maybe I'm missing something, if games like Shadow Of Mordor need 6GB VRAM to play @ Ultra settings, are cards like this not DOA?
Quite frankly there's something off there, they also say high requires 3Gb of Vram but it looks average as ****, i've yet to see any actual reports of it needing that much.
Sukovsky
Senior Member
Posts: 914
Senior Member
Posts: 914
Posted on: 10/02/2014 02:16 PM
Obviously they only put the requirement there because they made a deal with nVidia so they can sell some more of those old and slow Titans
. People use the UHD pack without hassle on lower VRAM cards.
EDIT: Including me
Guys, maybe I'm missing something, if games like Shadow Of Mordor need 6GB VRAM to play @ Ultra settings, are cards like this not DOA?
Obviously they only put the requirement there because they made a deal with nVidia so they can sell some more of those old and slow Titans
. People use the UHD pack without hassle on lower VRAM cards.
EDIT: Including me
fantaskarsef
Senior Member
Posts: 9097
Senior Member
Posts: 9097
Posted on: 10/02/2014 02:45 PM
FLIR imaging added to overclock page as well.
BTW after reading some comments, I checked out the fan and coil-noise notifications that we have heard from in the past few days. I can not replicate either one of them. This product is drop-dead silent.
Thanks Hilbert!
FLIR imaging added to overclock page as well.
BTW after reading some comments, I checked out the fan and coil-noise notifications that we have heard from in the past few days. I can not replicate either one of them. This product is drop-dead silent.
Thanks Hilbert!
PhazeDelta1
Posts: 15618
Posts: 15618
Posted on: 10/02/2014 02:58 PM
You don't need 6GB of vram to use the ultra settings.
Guys, maybe I'm missing something, if games like Shadow Of Mordor need 6GB VRAM to play @ Ultra settings, are cards like this not DOA?
You don't need 6GB of vram to use the ultra settings.
Solfaur
Senior Member
Posts: 6846
Senior Member
Posts: 6846
Posted on: 10/02/2014 04:19 PM
Great cards, sad to see that apparently there will not be a 980 Lightning coming from MSI this time arround and that they are waiting for a "bigger" chip in order to not have a repeat like the 780 Lightning launch with a couple of months later the 780Ti coming out, same with 7970 Lightning > 7970 GHz Edition.
Even so, the Gaming OC line of both 970 and 980 do a great job in the AIB segment.
Great cards, sad to see that apparently there will not be a 980 Lightning coming from MSI this time arround and that they are waiting for a "bigger" chip in order to not have a repeat like the 780 Lightning launch with a couple of months later the 780Ti coming out, same with 7970 Lightning > 7970 GHz Edition.
Even so, the Gaming OC line of both 970 and 980 do a great job in the AIB segment.
plodge85
Senior Member
Posts: 241
Senior Member
Posts: 241
Posted on: 10/02/2014 04:30 PM
There will always be a game that requires more then way above average.
So especially for your wallet we expect 8GB versions in the future as well. An once 8GB cards are out, some software house will find a mode to exceed that number as well. As hey, your game makes the news and is topic of hot discussion in forums and social media platforms ... right ?
Thanks for the reply Boss! I feel like software houses eventually shoot themselves in the foot here, it wont take long before every other game will play better and look better on the hardware some people can afford.
I quite recently bought a 3GB 7970 and was pleased as punch, I have to say these figures take a bit of wind out of my sails.
@PhaseDelta1, Maybe I'm misinformed. I read that the game would automatically revert back to high settings if it couldn't find the 6GB VRAM it wanted. Which indicated there'd be no need to get the extra HD textures pack as there'd be no difference.
There will always be a game that requires more then way above average.
So especially for your wallet we expect 8GB versions in the future as well. An once 8GB cards are out, some software house will find a mode to exceed that number as well. As hey, your game makes the news and is topic of hot discussion in forums and social media platforms ... right ?
Thanks for the reply Boss! I feel like software houses eventually shoot themselves in the foot here, it wont take long before every other game will play better and look better on the hardware some people can afford.
I quite recently bought a 3GB 7970 and was pleased as punch, I have to say these figures take a bit of wind out of my sails.
@PhaseDelta1, Maybe I'm misinformed. I read that the game would automatically revert back to high settings if it couldn't find the 6GB VRAM it wanted. Which indicated there'd be no need to get the extra HD textures pack as there'd be no difference.
danfim
Senior Member
Posts: 394
Senior Member
Posts: 394
Posted on: 10/02/2014 06:55 PM
Think this is my new card. Thank you for the review, I have been looking for this particular one.
Think this is my new card. Thank you for the review, I have been looking for this particular one.
Loophole35
Senior Member
Posts: 9017
Senior Member
Posts: 9017
Posted on: 10/02/2014 07:49 PM
Hilbert, did you happen to notate what voltage controller is being used with this card?
Hilbert, did you happen to notate what voltage controller is being used with this card?
evasiondutch
Senior Member
Posts: 207
Senior Member
Posts: 207
Posted on: 10/02/2014 07:53 PM
For me MSI card looks most sexy very well designed model.
But beaten by Gigabight in every bench, must be painful for MSI?
Most of time MSI belongs to cheaper versions so it compensate in that direction then.
For me MSI card looks most sexy very well designed model.
But beaten by Gigabight in every bench, must be painful for MSI?
Most of time MSI belongs to cheaper versions so it compensate in that direction then.
James Frazer
Member
Posts: 79
Member
Posts: 79
Posted on: 10/02/2014 08:35 PM
Does anyone know if you are, or will be able to in the near future, able to pick up a back plate for the MSI 980 and 970 cards? The ASUS cards are almost the same in performance terms and although they cost a little more, they come with a back plate as standard which looks a lot nicer.
Does anyone know if you are, or will be able to in the near future, able to pick up a back plate for the MSI 980 and 970 cards? The ASUS cards are almost the same in performance terms and although they cost a little more, they come with a back plate as standard which looks a lot nicer.
southamptonfc
Senior Member
Posts: 1726
Senior Member
Posts: 1726
Posted on: 10/03/2014 07:40 AM
But beaten by Gigabight in every bench, must be painful for MSI?
The Gigabyte has slightly higher default clocks. MSI use reference clocks for their gaming series. Gigabyte increase base clocks but have a history of producing cards that aren't stable.
But beaten by Gigabight in every bench, must be painful for MSI?
The Gigabyte has slightly higher default clocks. MSI use reference clocks for their gaming series. Gigabyte increase base clocks but have a history of producing cards that aren't stable.
fantaskarsef
Senior Member
Posts: 9097
Senior Member
Posts: 9097
Posted on: 10/03/2014 08:22 AM
This. Also, with some Gigabyte cards I had the subjective feeling they were quite loud. But if you have the right case (dampened), or don't mind the noise, it's not a point to argue over.
The Gigabyte has slightly higher default clocks. MSI use reference clocks for their gaming series. Gigabyte increase base clocks but have a history of producing cards that aren't stable.
This. Also, with some Gigabyte cards I had the subjective feeling they were quite loud. But if you have the right case (dampened), or don't mind the noise, it's not a point to argue over.
ScoobyDooby
Senior Member
Posts: 7064
Senior Member
Posts: 7064
Posted on: 10/03/2014 08:26 AM
Honestly both cards are excellent and have their pros and cons.
I personally feel that they should both be at the same price point due to how matched they are overall, and sure enough NCIX changed their price on the MSI gaming from 419.99, to 449.99, which is their price on the G1. That's in CDN BTW.
This. Also, with some Gigabyte cards I had the subjective feeling they were quite loud. But if you have the right case (dampened), or don't mind the noise, it's not a point to argue over.
Honestly both cards are excellent and have their pros and cons.
I personally feel that they should both be at the same price point due to how matched they are overall, and sure enough NCIX changed their price on the MSI gaming from 419.99, to 449.99, which is their price on the G1. That's in CDN BTW.
War child
Senior Member
Posts: 323
Senior Member
Posts: 323
Posted on: 10/03/2014 09:44 AM
On top of that, MSI gaming 980 is 200NoK cheaper (23Euro approx) here in Norway than the G1 gaming card from Gigabyte.
Thats a win for MSI in my eyes.
The Gigabyte has slightly higher default clocks. MSI use reference clocks for their gaming series. Gigabyte increase base clocks but have a history of producing cards that aren't stable.
On top of that, MSI gaming 980 is 200NoK cheaper (23Euro approx) here in Norway than the G1 gaming card from Gigabyte.
Thats a win for MSI in my eyes.
Ven0m
Senior Member
Posts: 1764
Senior Member
Posts: 1764
Posted on: 10/03/2014 10:01 AM
FLIR imaging added to overclock page as well.
BTW after reading some comments, I checked out the fan and coil-noise notifications that we have heard from in the past few days. I can not replicate either one of them. This product is drop-dead silent.
Thanks.
It seems like a good candidate for my next card.
FLIR imaging added to overclock page as well.
BTW after reading some comments, I checked out the fan and coil-noise notifications that we have heard from in the past few days. I can not replicate either one of them. This product is drop-dead silent.
Thanks.
It seems like a good candidate for my next card.
fantaskarsef
Senior Member
Posts: 9097
Senior Member
Posts: 9097
Posted on: 10/03/2014 10:25 AM
Honestly both cards are excellent and have their pros and cons.
I personally feel that they should both be at the same price point due to how matched they are overall, and sure enough NCIX changed their price on the MSI gaming from 419.99, to 449.99, which is their price on the G1. That's in CDN BTW.
That's how I see it two. As long as cards are stable out of the factory (which the heavily OCed Gigabytes sometimes have said to be troubled), both cards got their respective strengths and weaknesses. It's a matter of what one wants from his hardware, and if a little extra cash is acceptable if one prefers the extra specs, like maybe a more quiet cooler, additional vram, higher boost clocks (which usually bring marginal performance increases over other OCed cards)...
Honestly both cards are excellent and have their pros and cons.
I personally feel that they should both be at the same price point due to how matched they are overall, and sure enough NCIX changed their price on the MSI gaming from 419.99, to 449.99, which is their price on the G1. That's in CDN BTW.
That's how I see it two. As long as cards are stable out of the factory (which the heavily OCed Gigabytes sometimes have said to be troubled), both cards got their respective strengths and weaknesses. It's a matter of what one wants from his hardware, and if a little extra cash is acceptable if one prefers the extra specs, like maybe a more quiet cooler, additional vram, higher boost clocks (which usually bring marginal performance increases over other OCed cards)...
cowie
Senior Member
Posts: 13066
Senior Member
Posts: 13066
Posted on: 10/03/2014 01:25 PM
This card way too quite no whine not even fan noise,when clocked pretty high it was silent
This card way too quite no whine not even fan noise,when clocked pretty high it was silent
maxio
Senior Member
Posts: 180
Senior Member
Posts: 180
Posted on: 10/03/2014 02:54 PM
Top Pick? No way, brother.
G1 wipe the floor this card, I'm sorry Hilbert.
Put performance aside, as they perform the same.
Look on FLIR and we have a clear winner.
IMHO this card deserve only "GURU recommended award"
Top Pick? No way, brother.
G1 wipe the floor this card, I'm sorry Hilbert.
Put performance aside, as they perform the same.
Look on FLIR and we have a clear winner.
IMHO this card deserve only "GURU recommended award"
Loophole35
Senior Member
Posts: 9017
Senior Member
Posts: 9017
Posted on: 10/03/2014 05:15 PM
Top Pick? No way, brother.
G1 wipe the floor this card, I'm sorry Hilbert.
Put performance aside, as they perform the same.
Look on FLIR and we have a clear winner.
IMHO this card deserve only "GURU recommended award"
The Gigabyte has a back plate that hides the PCB from the FLIR both are great and both are top picks.
Top Pick? No way, brother.
G1 wipe the floor this card, I'm sorry Hilbert.
Put performance aside, as they perform the same.
Look on FLIR and we have a clear winner.
IMHO this card deserve only "GURU recommended award"
The Gigabyte has a back plate that hides the PCB from the FLIR both are great and both are top picks.
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Senior Member
Posts: 9097
And again, the MSI looks like a good card to go, with headroom for overclocking, as well as pleasent sound and temperature levels. Reminds me of back then when I went for the MSI with my 580
Thanks for the review Hilbert!