MSI GTX980Ti Lightning Review

[MSIRawZ]

It hasnt effected the outcome of the review, its just pointing out that it would be the cherry on the top if aesthetically it would match a whole range of systems.

If you want your rig to look nice putting a yellow highlighted GPU in your rig kinda limits options......

The Gigabyte G1 with an RGB is all black and means you can really use the LED option to the max....

Do you get what Im trying to say?

They have still gone beyond what any other manufacturer has done. Matrix Platinums are predominately red and then have the totally uncontrollable LED but that wasn't really mentioned as a problem in the past. MSI made a lot of steps forwards, removing all the blue LED's, adding control and retaining their identity at the same time.

There are plenty of neutral motherboards it would suit amazingly well, both in and outside of MSI's range. The product in itself has a coherent and pleasing aesthetic. It's not like it clashes with all PC parts currently on sale (like the Titanium).

JR

Debate central today!

I agree with what Tom is saying and understand where he is coming from. From my own personal standpoint, it would be better if this (if not all cards) came in a black or a monochrome style fashion to suit all user builds. Then in the box there would be stickers or clip-ons etc that can match various different rig themes, likewise having RGB lightning as we now do on this card but without the yellow that may conflict with the planned user build.

However when the LIGHTNING is mounted in the case (regular cases of course), you won't see the yellow "OC" decal around the fans since it will be facing downwards so all you see really is the nice backplate and the RGB lightning on the side of the card.

I agree with JR as well. MSI has listened a lot and taken on feedback of the LIGHTNING since the first black/yellow GTX 780 (not Ti). It's been toned down a lot and LED's removed, not to mention the "GPU Reactor" on the back of the card.

Why is our LIGHTNING not silver to match the new Z170 XPOWER motherboard with Silver PCB? - This because there is always a transition phase. As you can see currently we have more yellow (7) motherboards than silver ones (1). Does that mean the next LIGHTNING will be silver? .. I have no idea but I'm sure HQ are watching user feedback closely and something will be changed again of course.

It would have been nice if MSI had used Samsung memory for this card like EVGA have done for their top of the range 980 Ti.

Hi Kaapstad,

Unfortunately Samsung memory hasn't yet been qualified/approved (or w/e NVIDIA need to do) by NVIDIA. This means it can hurt RMA processes internally for us.

Bear in mind that EVGA's top end KingPin edition card that uses Samsung memory isn't being sold in the channel. EVGA is selling this VGA card directly and only to Extreme Overclockers and in very LOW volume. So it’s pure marketing fap...

Hynix memory is on par or in some cases even better than Samsung.

 

[Lays]

"Hynix on par and sometimes better than Samsung"

Debate central today!


Hi Kaapstad,

Unfortunately Samsung memory hasn't yet been qualified/approved (or w/e NVIDIA need to do) by NVIDIA. This means it can hurt RMA processes internally for us.

Bear in mind that EVGA's top end KingPin edition card that uses Samsung memory isn't being sold in the channel. EVGA is selling this VGA card directly and only to Extreme Overclockers and in very LOW volume. So it’s pure marketing fap...

Hynix memory is on par or in some cases even better than Samsung.

Are you serious? Hynix cold-bugs MUCH easier, and doesn't scale nearly as well with voltage as Samsung does.

There's a reason why every single KP on Ln2 is hitting higher clocks on the memory than Hynix 980 TI's. The proof is in the results.

"KP cards are only being sold directly to extreme overclockers" Hello??? They have them on NEWEGG, and PUBLICLY available on EVGA's site.

 

[Wraith]

Are you serious? Hynix cold-bugs MUCH easier, and doesn't scale nearly as well with voltage as Samsung does.

There's a reason why every single KP on Ln2 is hitting higher clocks on the memory than Hynix 980 TI's. The proof is in the results.

"KP cards are only being sold directly to extreme overclockers" Hello??? They have them on NEWEGG, and PUBLICLY available on EVGA's site.

They are aimed at overclockers with OC in mind, so they look to this end of the market. Your average joe has zero interest in OC'ing a card let alone LN2, they just want the best for their money and if they have the wedge to throw at a top end card that has grand performance then they can get a lightning, they're not "exclusive" to just overclockers.

 

[Kaapstad]

I am really disappointed in the "overclocking" section, I thought you were a diehard overclocker? This card is built for extreme overclocking, and that section left me wanting A LOT more. You posted two sentences and a GPU-Z picture, come on bro!

You didn't post anything about what you got the ACTUAL boost clock to, just a GPU-Z picture.. What were the max bench-stable clocks? How easy was the overclocking and testing, how was the overclocking experience? What were temps whilst being overclocked vs stock?

The LED software had more info then the overclocking, cmon man!

Will there be a youtube video coming for this?

PS: I am not trying to be a jerk or anything, I just really expect more out of your reviews because you always go over the top and more in depth than anyone else it seems. I really like that about your reviews.

Here is an air cooled MSI 980 Ti Lightning at the top of my Firestrike bench thread benched by 8 Pack which will give you an idea of the clocks that are possible. I think OcUK are expecting to sell quite a few of these cards.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=27903763&postcount=3

1580/2150 is not bad for an air cooled card.

 

[Dicehunter]

Depending on what AMD bring out for their next round of cards I might get the next top end Lightning card MSI bring out, But only if there is no yellow in sight even on the sides, Yes I am that fickle

 

[TPC]

Depending on what AMD bring out for their next round of cards I might get the next top end Lightning card MSI bring out, But only if there is no yellow in sight even on the sides, Yes I am that fickle

You're one of those guys who destroys the only proper msi lineup by demanding something like that.

 

[Dicehunter]

You're one of those guys who destroys the only proper msi lineup by demanding something like that.

So all the other people above my post don't count then ? XD

The Lightning series of cards is about the performance and the cooler, Not the colour of the stripes, Realistically they could have them be any colour and it would still be the Lightning series.

Example, The new ROG lineup, It's now dark orange and a silvery black not just red and black, Different colour but still the same brand and high performance -

 

[TPC]

First of all, I'm sorry I took you as example but your post caught my eye and was shortly saying what the others thought as well.
Second, It's about integrity, there are enough guys here who would like the lightning and Xpower naming front Msi to stay something special not just a different version of the Gaming series, because of they start making the lightning Multicolored they can as well call it a f****** Gaming G6+ Night Elf Classified Rgb Goddess.
Similar stuff happend with the strix line from asus, first it was the special edition quiet version. Now it's the only high end card from asus.
Another example would be the SOC line from Gigabyte where they now care more about their shitty audio and Ethernet ports than actual hardcore OC...

 

[Dicehunter]

I get what you mean but star out the swear words dude otherwise the mods will give you a suspension.

 

[realneil]

Good review Tom. I love this card and I can deal with the yellow if I have to.

 

[Kushiro]

Should've gone 3x 8PIN instead of EVGA 2x8 + 1x6.

Just for show.

Wonder if permanent market voids the warranty

 

[jimma47]

I like the yellow. It's how you know it's a Lightning. Same as the Gigabyte green being back is a good thing in my eyes. Even though I have black, red, white and blue in my build.

Some cards are quite plain and stealthy. My Strix cards have red and black stickers that you can choose to mount and that's a nice option. Mainly so I remember which card I got first. One is black and one is Red but from the side of the case they look identical.

There's always the option to go personal customization. And yes I have to agree that more options from the factory gives greater appeal and therefore more sales to the general public. Look at the Corsair AF/SP fan rings - great idea and easily customizable if you want to go orange or pink or green.

This is why there are so many silver and white cars on the road - Neutral and easy on the eye and inoffensive. But buy a Lambo however and it's lime green look at me

Always liked the Lightnings - even with the Blue orb of sleeplessness on the back plate. It's very Veyron.

 

[barnsley]

A lightning should be yellow. While I'd be interested to see how they'd pull it off if they were to do a silver card, I still think that the lightning stuff (only the yellow ones) is one of the best product lines out there. GPU wise anyway. Keep it yellow and different.

A card with removable/interchangeable parts just screams RMA nightmare or vibration issues to me. Yes it'd be awesome but I feel that a motherboard with interchangable colored heatsink covers (or whatever) would be a much better bet. That way you could get a yellow motherboard to go with this card too.

 

[JR23]

A lightning should be yellow. While I'd be interested to see how they'd pull it off if they were to do a silver card, I still think that the lightning stuff (only the yellow ones) is one of the best product lines out there. GPU wise anyway. Keep it yellow and different.

A card with removable/interchangeable parts just screams RMA nightmare or vibration issues to me. Yes it'd be awesome but I feel that a motherboard with interchangable colored heatsink covers (or whatever) would be a much better bet. That way you could get a yellow motherboard to go with this card too.

Exactly, it's all about that flagship identity and the Lightning always came across more unique than the Matrix/Classified. Which is definitely a great thing. Even if it isn't for the masses. At £660 it would be the most expensive component in anyones build, aside a 5960X but lets be honest, you should have at least two Lightnings in that situation. And so everything else in the rig should be continuing that theme if you like it enough to buy one.

Interchangeable stuff, yeah, sounds like mid-range , average build quality. Not something i'd look for on a Lightning/Classified/Matrix/HOF. Just like those cheap Corsair GS PSU's nobody mentions and H105's etc (oh and the Sea Hawk)

JR

 

[realneil]

A card with removable/interchangeable parts just screams RMA nightmare or vibration issues to me.

My youngest son would probably just fab new colored parts with his 3D-Printer and install them.

 

[AlienALX]

A lightning should be yellow. While I'd be interested to see how they'd pull it off if they were to do a silver card, I still think that the lightning stuff (only the yellow ones) is one of the best product lines out there. GPU wise anyway. Keep it yellow and different.

A card with removable/interchangeable parts just screams RMA nightmare or vibration issues to me. Yes it'd be awesome but I feel that a motherboard with interchangable colored heatsink covers (or whatever) would be a much better bet. That way you could get a yellow motherboard to go with this card too.

The best looking (and most unique) Lightning they ever did (and the best for absolutely fixing Fermi) was the GTX 480 Lightning and it was red.

The next decent one was the 580 Lightning (the one with the blue fans on) then all of a sudden they changed it to yellow.

Red, and the 480, was the best card they did IMO.

In this day and age though a card costing what this one does needs to offer something special. With the 980ti Kingpin it has an all copper cooler that just looks stunning.

Interchangeable rings should be the very least MSI offer. It really wouldn't cost that much to do, in fact you could probably sell them as an extra for £20 or so.

Kinda like how Corsair deliberately derped the Dom Plats and then charged about £50 for the light bar. (not having a go at Corsair I thought it was very shrewd and really rather clever. Near on every one bought them as an add on).

The main issue with the 980ti is that pretty much all 980tis overclock like bat droppings. Even just the stock blower ones. So it really needs to stand out and IMO? it just doesn't. It doesn't overclock any better than the other offerings from several other companies and you're forced with, and stuck with, yellow on the cooler.

 

[barnsley]

The best looking (and most unique) Lightning they ever did (and the best for absolutely fixing Fermi) was the GTX 480 Lightning and it was red.

Debatable. The best lightning they did was the 290X IMO. It stands out too.

I very much doubt anyone can mass produce a gpu with bits you can easily take off and on without hitting major quality control issues. By all means they can do it with some midrange GPU, just don't mess up the one semi original brand they have.