Hello everyone. I was wondering if I should just get the normal superclocked version of the 980 instead of waiting for the ACX Version. I heard that there are issues and such with the ACX cooler and if I would be able to overclock on my own but get low temperatures with the non-ACX version. I wanna try to get 1280 MHz or higher if the card is capable of that.
 
Also another question is if the GTX 980 Ti comes out before my 90 days are over will I be able to use the Step-Up program on it? Will the step up program work if I buy my card from NewEgg or Amazon? Or does it have to be directly from EVGA? Sorry if my questions are stupid. I know a good bit about computers but I can't know everything :)

FluffyZack
Hello everyone. I was wondering if I should just get the normal superclocked version of the 980 instead of waiting for the ACX Version. I heard that there are issues and such with the ACX cooler and if I would be able to overclock on my own but get low temperatures with the non-ACX version. I wanna try to get 1280 MHz or higher if the card is capable of that.
 
Also another question is if the GTX 980 Ti comes out before my 90 days are over will I be able to use the Step-Up program on it? Will the step up program work if I buy my card from NewEgg or Amazon? Or does it have to be directly from EVGA? Sorry if my questions are stupid. I know a good bit about computers but I can't know everything :)

Normal superclocked version will be fine. I wouldn't recommend getting the ACX just because it dumps a lot of hot air into your case. The superclocked version should get you 1342MHz at default settings. Information on step-up can be found here. 

hiz father
The superclocked cards usually have better chips, in overclocking terms, so if you plan on overclocking then get a superclocked one; this doesn't necessarily mean regular cards cant be overclocked though.

It's possible, but I highly doubt that superclocked cards are binned. I think the only difference is a minor clock speed increase. The price difference is to minor.

hiz father

gizmo88

hiz father
The superclocked cards usually have better chips, in overclocking terms, so if you plan on overclocking then get a superclocked one; this doesn't necessarily mean regular cards cant be overclocked though.

You really think superclocked cards are binned? I disagree with that assertion. I think the only difference is a minor clock speed increase. The price difference is to minor to suggest they are binning.

What I mean is some card don't pass the overclocking requirements to be a superclocked version so they get sold as regular cards.

I know, that's called "Product Binning." Basically cherry picking the best samples and selling them at a premium. Intel is famous for it. A process like that comes at a cost however, and I would assume it to be much more expensive than a $10 increase.

hiz father

gizmo88

hiz father

gizmo88

hiz father
The superclocked cards usually have better chips, in overclocking terms, so if you plan on overclocking then get a superclocked one; this doesn't necessarily mean regular cards cant be overclocked though.

You really think superclocked cards are binned? I disagree with that assertion. I think the only difference is a minor clock speed increase. The price difference is to minor to suggest they are binning.

What I mean is some card don't pass the overclocking requirements to be a superclocked version so they get sold as regular cards.

I know, that's called "Product Binning." Basically cherry picking the best samples and selling them at a premium. Intel is famous for it. A process like that comes at a cost however, and I would assume it to be much more expensive than a $10 increase.

Ahh sorry I didn't know the term; people say they do it but I'm no valuable source  

I've always looked at the "Superclocked" cards as a factory overclock. It's possible the GPU's are cherry picked, the only thing that makes me think no is the minor increase in price/clock speeds. If you were to go through all that trouble, wouldn't you overclock it more than 50mhz? It's more likely that from the factory these GTX 970/980 have a pretty high threshold for overclocking as it is.