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The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB is a high-end GPU based on the Maxwell architecture. The GTX 980 Ti features 6 gigabytes of GDDR5 memory and has a DVI, HDMI and three DisplayPort connections. An overview of the best GTX 980 Ti cards can be found here.
SpecsUpdate
Pros
Pro Attractive price point due to new GPU's
Due to the release of NVIDIA's next-generation GPU's such as the GTX 1070 and GTX 1080, the GTX 980 Ti card can be found for discounted and very attractive prices. One of the cheaper models can be bought for just under $400 for example, while most GTX 1070 cards retail for about $50 more.
Cons
Con New GTX 1080 outperforms the GTX 980 Ti
The new generation of high-end videocards by NVIDIA that's releasing in june 2016 offer improved performance, additional features and lower power consumption. The GTX 1080 is the new high-end graphics card and outperforms the GTX 980 Ti in every facet with an average performance improvement of 20%. Graphics cards with the GTX 1080 chip will be available for a lower price of $620 and up.
The GTX 1070 is slightly less powerful than the GTX 1080 but also outperforms the GTX 980 Ti, although the difference here is quite minimal, as seen in this benchmark. The GTX 1070 is available for a $430 and up.
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Pro Faster than a reference GTX 980 Ti
While the reference GTX 980 Ti has a base clock speed of 1000 MHz for the GPU, the Waterforce offers a base clock of 1216 MHz in Gaming Mode, an improvement of over 20%. Memory clock speeds have been slightly improved: from 7000 to 7200 MHz.
Pro Overclocks well
Although the base clock speeds of the Xtreme Gaming Waterforce GPU are already on the higher side, you can always increase the clockspeed yourself to further increase performance: this is called overclocking. This GPU overclocks extremely well due to the excellent cooler, built-in overclock options such as a BIOS switch button, voltage LED-indicators and a high-quality PCB for increased stability and durability.
Pro Adjustable LED lights
The Gigabyte Xtreme Gaming Waterforce GTX 980 Ti uses LED's in its design to give it a more aggressive look. You can customize the color of the LED's to match your build color-wise. The standaad color is set to orange, but is quickly adjustable when downloading Gigabyte's software.
Pro Extremely quiet operation
Another advantage of the custom watercooler is the fact that it remains very quiet. Under full load and measured at 75 centimeters away from an open enclosure, maximum sound production is limited to 38 dBA. For comparison - that's around 2 dBA quieter than the noise a refrigerator makes - practically inaudible.
Pro GPU stays extremely cool
The special watercooling solution Gigabyte uses for its Waterforce card performs extremely well. A typical GTX 980 Ti with a reference cooler will reach temperatures of up to 80 degrees Celsius, after which the GPU will automatically lower its clockspeeds and voltage (throttling). With the Xtreme Gaming Waterforce, cooling isn't an issue at all. Temperatures are generally maxed out at 50 degrees Celsius under full load. That's a whopping difference of over 30° Celsius compared to a normal GTX 980 Ti. Lower temperatures result in a longer lifespan and less loss of performance due to heat production.