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ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1080 ArcticStorm Review
Posted by: on: 09/20/2016 08:53 AM [
21 comment(s) ]
All hail liquid cooling! Wanna see a GeForce GTX 1080 review based on an all custom and proper liquid cooled setup? Well, meet the ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1080 ArcticStorm Edition. We'll check out the 8 GB beast with that lovely looks...
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Hilbert Hagedoorn
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 35733
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 35733
Posted on: 09/20/2016 09:06 AM
4 days work - 42 pages of content and this is the level of comments these days. Thanks mr. positive!
4 days work - 42 pages of content and this is the level of comments these days. Thanks mr. positive!
FrostNixon
Senior Member
Posts: 181
Senior Member
Posts: 181
Posted on: 09/20/2016 09:31 AM
Sorry, didn't mean it to sound like that. You have done a great job as usual, thing is those cards get released in more and more expensive versions and yet they bring nothing better.
Sorry, didn't mean it to sound like that. You have done a great job as usual, thing is those cards get released in more and more expensive versions and yet they bring nothing better.
fantaskarsef
Senior Member
Posts: 10588
Senior Member
Posts: 10588
Posted on: 09/20/2016 09:36 AM
Great review, as expected. Still looks like the only chip really making good use of watercooling is the Titan right now. We'll see if Volta works somehow different (without NV capping the cards artificially).
Great review, as expected. Still looks like the only chip really making good use of watercooling is the Titan right now. We'll see if Volta works somehow different (without NV capping the cards artificially).
sunnyp_343
Senior Member
Posts: 477
Senior Member
Posts: 477
Posted on: 09/20/2016 09:50 AM
i want to know that When overclocking we can put Fan on Auto or it is best to put on manual setting?Because in the picture of the overclock page of this article Fan is in auto!
i want to know that When overclocking we can put Fan on Auto or it is best to put on manual setting?Because in the picture of the overclock page of this article Fan is in auto!
weasel
Senior Member
Posts: 676
Senior Member
Posts: 676
Posted on: 09/20/2016 10:00 AM
Thx Hilbert for the hard work and don't bother what some people say.I like the looks of the card to and i love the 1080 series.Even more then the 980ti wich i had before.I'll even skip the 1080ti version and wait for the next gen.
I recently rebuild my 1080FE to a Evga hbybrid and i'm more then happy with the results.
Thx Hilbert for the hard work and don't bother what some people say.I like the looks of the card to and i love the 1080 series.Even more then the 980ti wich i had before.I'll even skip the 1080ti version and wait for the next gen.
I recently rebuild my 1080FE to a Evga hbybrid and i'm more then happy with the results.
MainFrame Alpha
Senior Member
Posts: 138
Senior Member
Posts: 138
Posted on: 09/20/2016 10:36 AM
thank you Hilbert for the review
time and effort 
the card looks icy cool, still my loyalty is to my wallet now a days, an upgrade would mean a max performance and saving.
as much as the card may look appealing a would lean to the 80% consumers, even if i'm not upgrading my GPU any time soon
thank you Hilbert for the review
time and effort
the card looks icy cool, still my loyalty is to my wallet now a days, an upgrade would mean a max performance and saving.
as much as the card may look appealing a would lean to the 80% consumers, even if i'm not upgrading my GPU any time soon
Matt26LFC
Senior Member
Posts: 3058
Senior Member
Posts: 3058
Posted on: 09/20/2016 10:44 AM
Nice review as always Hilbert! Watercooling these cards is a bit of a waste of money though as it really doesn't do anything to improve performance as I've found with my own 1070. So if someones looking to WC for performance alone it's not worth it
Nice review as always Hilbert! Watercooling these cards is a bit of a waste of money though as it really doesn't do anything to improve performance as I've found with my own 1070. So if someones looking to WC for performance alone it's not worth it
Sunesha
Member
Posts: 27
Member
Posts: 27
Posted on: 09/20/2016 10:47 AM
Thanks for the review. The GPU shootout is a great feature I like
Thanks for the review. The GPU shootout is a great feature I like
CK the Greek
Senior Member
Posts: 1275
Senior Member
Posts: 1275
Posted on: 09/20/2016 12:32 PM
As it said on review, the one who will buy this is not for performance (sure, he will be an overclocker but not different than any 1080 aircooled owner) but for aesthetics and only for this.
About money...for start anyone who buy a 1080 has the "virus" of spending much money on his PC, don't think that a water cooling enthusiast will think much of it if he likes what he sees.
As it said on review, the one who will buy this is not for performance (sure, he will be an overclocker but not different than any 1080 aircooled owner) but for aesthetics and only for this.
About money...for start anyone who buy a 1080 has the "virus" of spending much money on his PC, don't think that a water cooling enthusiast will think much of it if he likes what he sees.
SHS
Senior Member
Posts: 426
Senior Member
Posts: 426
Posted on: 09/20/2016 01:15 PM
Hilbert I agree and disagree with your review
1: For starter running a GPU 80c or 176f will shorting it life span as thermal expansion and contraction take a effect vs GPU 55c or 131f did you not take that in to count for that ?.
2: Water cooling it self is not a waste of money though as it really has nothing to do with improve over all performance keep in mind that you can only overclock it so much over it reference designs spec base a round the max air cooled setup can take.
3: The price gouging premium will be no winner with average user here that are not into building fancy case's that to me is just waste of money for the average user but it cool and all.
Hilbert I agree and disagree with your review
1: For starter running a GPU 80c or 176f will shorting it life span as thermal expansion and contraction take a effect vs GPU 55c or 131f did you not take that in to count for that ?.
2: Water cooling it self is not a waste of money though as it really has nothing to do with improve over all performance keep in mind that you can only overclock it so much over it reference designs spec base a round the max air cooled setup can take.
3: The price gouging premium will be no winner with average user here that are not into building fancy case's that to me is just waste of money for the average user but it cool and all.
Koniakki
Senior Member
Posts: 2836
Senior Member
Posts: 2836
Posted on: 09/20/2016 01:59 PM
42 Pages!! Boss you went way over the top! Great work! Kudos!
And imo this card looks absolutely amazing and if I could justify the premium, would be the card I would get.
42 Pages!! Boss you went way over the top! Great work! Kudos!
And imo this card looks absolutely amazing and if I could justify the premium, would be the card I would get.
allesclar
Senior Member
Posts: 5613
Senior Member
Posts: 5613
Posted on: 09/20/2016 02:46 PM
Awesome review and well written.
It just goes to show how much things have moved on since i bought my 8800GT
Awesome review and well written.
It just goes to show how much things have moved on since i bought my 8800GT
schmidtbag
Senior Member
Posts: 4264
Senior Member
Posts: 4264
Posted on: 09/20/2016 03:31 PM
If I had the money (and a reason) to get a 1080 I would definitely get this cooler. That overclock performance was substantial. With a little more time and effort put in, I'm sure you could squeeze another few FPS out of it.
But, I would still much rather get 2x 1070s with liquid cooling and overclock both of those.
If I had the money (and a reason) to get a 1080 I would definitely get this cooler. That overclock performance was substantial. With a little more time and effort put in, I'm sure you could squeeze another few FPS out of it.
But, I would still much rather get 2x 1070s with liquid cooling and overclock both of those.
Solfaur
Senior Member
Posts: 7079
Senior Member
Posts: 7079
Posted on: 09/20/2016 04:09 PM
Even though I'm not into watercooling (except AIOs), this waterblock coupled with the lighting looks absolutely gorgeous. It's a shame though to have it running in a tower, since it looks so much better on a bench.
Even though I'm not into watercooling (except AIOs), this waterblock coupled with the lighting looks absolutely gorgeous. It's a shame though to have it running in a tower, since it looks so much better on a bench.
Prince Valiant
Senior Member
Posts: 686
Senior Member
Posts: 686
Posted on: 09/20/2016 05:10 PM
At Hilbert: Thanks for adding a comparison chart.
Hilbert I agree and disagree with your review
1: For starter running a GPU 80c or 176f will shorting it life span as thermal expansion and contraction take a effect vs GPU 55c or 131f did you not take that in to count for that ?.
2: Water cooling it self is not a waste of money though as it really has nothing to do with improve over all performance keep in mind that you can only overclock it so much over it reference designs spec base a round the max air cooled setup can take.
3: The price gouging premium will be no winner with average user here that are not into building fancy case's that to me is just waste of money for the average user but it cool and all.
Your first point isn't relevant unless you plan on keeping a card for a very long time. I haven't seen a non-reference nVidia card running that hot for a while either.
At least the boring top end performance means someone can buy the cheapest variant and know it's pretty much the same.
At Hilbert: Thanks for adding a comparison chart.
Hilbert I agree and disagree with your review
1: For starter running a GPU 80c or 176f will shorting it life span as thermal expansion and contraction take a effect vs GPU 55c or 131f did you not take that in to count for that ?.
2: Water cooling it self is not a waste of money though as it really has nothing to do with improve over all performance keep in mind that you can only overclock it so much over it reference designs spec base a round the max air cooled setup can take.
3: The price gouging premium will be no winner with average user here that are not into building fancy case's that to me is just waste of money for the average user but it cool and all.
Your first point isn't relevant unless you plan on keeping a card for a very long time. I haven't seen a non-reference nVidia card running that hot for a while either.
At least the boring top end performance means someone can buy the cheapest variant and know it's pretty much the same.
stereoman
Senior Member
Posts: 736
Senior Member
Posts: 736
Posted on: 09/20/2016 05:21 PM
Love the lighting on that GPU block it's great just a shame about all the thermal protection on the 1080's only seems to be holding them back when it comes overclocking still nice review cheers
and have to agree water cooling for me is more about aesthetics than anything, just love watching the coolant rushing round my system
Love the lighting on that GPU block it's great just a shame about all the thermal protection on the 1080's only seems to be holding them back when it comes overclocking still nice review cheers
and have to agree water cooling for me is more about aesthetics than anything, just love watching the coolant rushing round my system
Loophole35
Senior Member
Posts: 9273
Senior Member
Posts: 9273
Posted on: 09/20/2016 10:33 PM
Until/If we get a BIOS editing method I doubt we will see clocks higher than 2.1GHz.
Great review, as expected. Still looks like the only chip really making good use of watercooling is the Titan right now. We'll see if Volta works somehow different (without NV capping the cards artificially).
Until/If we get a BIOS editing method I doubt we will see clocks higher than 2.1GHz.
ChisChas
Member
Posts: 94
Member
Posts: 94
Posted on: 09/21/2016 07:42 PM
Thanks Hilbert for this review, you sure have put a huge effort into giving us the gen on the 1080 cards. Invaluable.
I think comments that seem to indicate a lack of appreciation of your efforts come from frustration when yet another 1080 card barely exceeds the performance of the standard NVidia 1080 but many do appreciate the much better looks of the partner cards along with their better & quieter cooling systems (I refer mainly to the air-cooled cards).
The Titan X still appeals but the cost is horrendous so I'll wait to see whether NVidia bring out the Ti version of the 1080, the standard version doesn't float my particular boat however much a performance boost a pair would bring to my system compared to the OC EVGA 780's I have at present.
I think the 4K monitors will continue to be upgraded, I'm hoping Asus will bring out a 30" or 32" 4K screen, a far superior version of the Dell U2711 I currently use.
I think the keyword is PATIENCE.................
Thanks Hilbert for this review, you sure have put a huge effort into giving us the gen on the 1080 cards. Invaluable.
I think comments that seem to indicate a lack of appreciation of your efforts come from frustration when yet another 1080 card barely exceeds the performance of the standard NVidia 1080 but many do appreciate the much better looks of the partner cards along with their better & quieter cooling systems (I refer mainly to the air-cooled cards).
The Titan X still appeals but the cost is horrendous so I'll wait to see whether NVidia bring out the Ti version of the 1080, the standard version doesn't float my particular boat however much a performance boost a pair would bring to my system compared to the OC EVGA 780's I have at present.
I think the 4K monitors will continue to be upgraded, I'm hoping Asus will bring out a 30" or 32" 4K screen, a far superior version of the Dell U2711 I currently use.
I think the keyword is PATIENCE.................
DirkHardpeck
Senior Member
Posts: 271
Senior Member
Posts: 271
Posted on: 09/22/2016 03:01 AM
Nice review as always, Hilbert. I am definitely happy to see these pre-installed waterblock cards get reviewed with a proper overclock and all.
Sure, it's still not worth the money in terms of performance gain. But I say, bring on these kinds of cards! I am sick of voiding warranties to install blocks on cards, or accidentally buying "reference" cards with one stupid tall capacitor or something that won't accommodate the block. I feel like resale might be better than a separate block and card, but that still depends on how many watercoolers want last-gen cards. Honestly, probably more than you might initially think...especially for secondary systems (HTPC, LAN, etc.).
Nice review as always, Hilbert. I am definitely happy to see these pre-installed waterblock cards get reviewed with a proper overclock and all.
Sure, it's still not worth the money in terms of performance gain. But I say, bring on these kinds of cards! I am sick of voiding warranties to install blocks on cards, or accidentally buying "reference" cards with one stupid tall capacitor or something that won't accommodate the block. I feel like resale might be better than a separate block and card, but that still depends on how many watercoolers want last-gen cards. Honestly, probably more than you might initially think...especially for secondary systems (HTPC, LAN, etc.).
fry178
Senior Member
Posts: 1063
Senior Member
Posts: 1063
Posted on: 07/14/2017 11:42 AM
Funny how i thought the same as many others here (too much difference in price, and i would need a custom loop to run it as atm i have an AIO), when i read the review a year ago.
but now i can get a open box 1080 with AIO for around 550 or less, when new ones still go for 600 or more (aircooled).
im about "noise", so the 120 rad/fan should make a big difference vs running an air cooled version with 2 or 3 smaller fans.
Funny how i thought the same as many others here (too much difference in price, and i would need a custom loop to run it as atm i have an AIO), when i read the review a year ago.
but now i can get a open box 1080 with AIO for around 550 or less, when new ones still go for 600 or more (aircooled).
im about "noise", so the 120 rad/fan should make a big difference vs running an air cooled version with 2 or 3 smaller fans.
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Senior Member
Posts: 181
Might be useless and give no performance boost at all, but hey at least it looks good.