MSI to release "budget" GTX 900 series models

[WYP]

It looks like MSI may be releasing budget friendly reference versions of the GTX 980 and GTX 970. A great option for watercoolers.

Read more on discussion on the MSI Budget reference GTX 980 and 970 here.

 

[Thelosouvlakia]

Reminds me of the early days of HD5000 series

 

[barnsley]

didn't they do that with the 6xx series? I swear i've seen a 670 with a similar design cooler and sticker before.

Either way this gets my seal of approval as these can make great options for small itx builds that don't need a fantastic looking cooler as you never see the cooler. Cases like the RVZ01.

 

[Kushiro]

Though will these just use reference boards or will they cheap out and use low quality parts? Anyone know?

 

[WYP]

Though will these just use reference boards or will they cheap out and use low quality parts? Anyone know?

All that is known so far is that the cooler is changed. I doubt anything else is, it would be a PR disaster is they went below Nvidia spec when it came to board parts.

 

[SieB]

didn't they do that with the 6xx series? I swear i've seen a 670 with a similar design cooler and sticker before.

IIRC they (not just MSI) did it with the 670s that had the shorter PCB, the 670s with the 680 PCB sold for normal price.

I read somewhere amongst the rumor mill over the last few weeks regarding the 970 and 980 that there were going to be basic versions and ones that overclocked better. That could of been a load of rumor mill bs or it could be what these "budget versions" are.

 

[Scoob]

This is good, assuming the cooler is the only place they've saved money using cheaper bits - this is what I assume.

Personally, I'd always rather buy a reference design and water cool it. A pair of 980's - for example - with water blocks would be better for me than a single uber over clocked 980 with a custom air cooler. I need my silence lol.

Looking forward to seeing how the 900 series turns out. My guess comparable (performance to a high-end 780 or your basic 780Ti but with less power. Over clocking I'd expect to pretty much nullify any power saving, but give some decent mhz given sufficient cooling.

Feeling...optimistic. Though not planning to upgrade just yet, just interested in the tech.

Scoob.

 

[Damien c]

didn't they do that with the 6xx series? I swear i've seen a 670 with a similar design cooler and sticker before.

Either way this gets my seal of approval as these can make great options for small itx builds that don't need a fantastic looking cooler as you never see the cooler. Cases like the RVZ01.

Those were pretty much the standard coolers for MSI GTX 680's, as both of the ones I had came with those types of looking coolers.

 

[Mizugetsu]

I love the Idea behind this, it could be great I know for me that the reference coolers Nvidia has been using are fantastic they smash the coolers ATI have been pushing, I Watercool and if that means I pay less for a card because I'm removing reference cooler anyway and I save a few pennies then great I have 4 of the nice and shiny Titan Black reference coolers sitting in their boxes waiting for the day when I get rid and refit them to their PCB's.

 

[Dicehunter]

didn't they do that with the 6xx series? I swear i've seen a 670 with a similar design cooler and sticker before.

Either way this gets my seal of approval as these can make great options for small itx builds that don't need a fantastic looking cooler as you never see the cooler. Cases like the RVZ01.

GTX 670 KFA2 i.e Galaxys "Own Design"

GTX 680 Reference

GTX 780 Ti KFA2 i.e Galaxys "Own Design"

 

[TPC]

Already done to the 7xx series and they were a bit cheaper (10-20€)

 

[wng_kingsley7]

Kinda sucks that the reference design is this ugly imo, the reference one by nvidia looks a tonne more cooler & better.

 

[MadShadow]

Kinda sucks that the reference design is this ugly imo, the reference one by nvidia looks a tonne more cooler & better.

Its not the reference design. Its simply a cheap cooler slapped onto a card.

 

[Mysterae]

If it's only 10 or 20 quid cheaper than the better looking reference design, I reckon you'd lose more than that come selling.

 

[dhoom]

Can any one help me transelate what he says about that GTX 970?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTZSqIWDqI0