Now that EVGA has lowered the EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti BLACK EDITION to $999, can anyone tell me why someone would spend an extra $150 on the XC version? Maybe I'm missing something?
 
I looked at both spec sheets and see only 2 small differences: 
 
EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti BLACK EDITION GAMING, 11G-P4-2281-KR, 11GB GDDR6, Dual HDB Fans & RGB LED
SPECIFICATIONS
Boost Clock: 1545 MHz
Memory Clock: 14000 MHz Effective
CUDA Cores: 4352
Bus Type: PCI-E 3.0
Memory Detail: 11264MB GDDR6
Memory Bit Width: 352 Bit
Memory Bandwidth: 616 GB/s
LED Logo: RGB
UPC: 843368059217
EAN: 4250812430861
 
DIMENSIONS
Height: 4.5in - 114.3mm
Length: 10.6in - 269.2mm

EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti XC BLACK EDITION GAMING, 11G-P4-2282-KR, 11GB GDDR6, Dual HDB Fans & RGB LED
way to experience games - this is the ultimate PC gaming experience.
SPECIFICATIONS
Boost Clock: 1560 MHz
Memory Clock: 14000 MHz Effective
CUDA Cores: 4352
Bus Type: PCI-E 3.0
Memory Detail: 11264MB GDDR6
Memory Bit Width: 352 Bit
Memory Bandwidth: 616 GB/s
LED Logo: RGB
UPC: 843368058944
EAN: 4250812430595
DIMENSIONS
Height: 4.5in - 114.3mm
Length: 10.6in - 269.2mm
Width: Dual Slot

The difference is that the XC will probably be in stock eventually, while the non-XC will probably never be in stock. Well maybe sometime like 8 months from now. But don't hold your breath for that $999 card.

willdearborn
The difference is that the XC will probably be in stock eventually, while the non-XC will probably never be in stock. Well maybe sometime like 8 months from now. But don't hold your breath for that $999 card.

Ah ok, well I guess I will probably just step up to the XC version then since the non-XC version is not an option for the step up program. I want to be able to run games on the Pimax 5k VR headset with high settings and acceptable frame rates. Hopefully I won't have to buy two 2080ti XC's lol.

Erethrin
looking with the compare tool , 
the black edition (999$) dont have nvlink
also dont support VR 
 
i would like precision about the VR not ready ? why ? i assume a 2080ti is strong enough for VR , so what does it need to support it or not ? 
i assumed its the virtualLink connectibility but from the I/O pic , it seem like its there on the black edition ....
 
anyone can comment on this ? 

That is in Error and has been for a while now.
The Card is VR Ready and Supports NVLink.

Erethrin
so , why is it 150$ less ? 
binned GPU that dont overclock well ? 

That would be the current hypothesis, yes. 

I believe the main difference is overclocking potential.  I believe the low binned GPU's will be on those $999 while Chip A version will be on the XC's and up iirc but of course, nothing's a guarantee.

hellish
This card actually overclocks well. Even just increasing the power limit gets it up there with the GPU's that are a few hundred dollars more. 

If you're talking about the 2080 Ti Black @ $999, than yes I agree cause I have one as well.  Literally worth every penny compared to the $150-$400 just to get 100MHz-200MHz more on OCs.  Ridiculous but to each their own though.
 
The 2080 Ti Black is the reference GPU and can OC just as high as the higher ups if you're lucky in the silicon lottery and the cooling is sufficient. 

Erethrin
looking with the compare tool , 
the black edition (999$) dont have nvlink
also dont support VR 
 
i would like precision about the VR not ready ? why ? i assume a 2080ti is strong enough for VR , so what does it need to support it or not ? 
i assumed its the virtualLink connectibility but from the I/O pic , it seem like its there on the black edition ....
 
anyone can comment on this ? 

I called customer svc after searching for the DigitalLink Cable and it is for the future and not available now.
They mentioned that AMD and other companies are trying to get the DL to be a standard in the industry but
it may not be.  I will never get those hours back that I searched, but I can hope they make a cable eventually.