This is a new GTX 1080 SKU you will see availability on very soon, it is identical to the FTW card, 10 phase, RGB, etc, only difference is the clockspeeds. This card will have reference clocks:
 
http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=08G-P4-6284-KR
 

ipaine
I have to question why?
 
Is this part of the reason why the supplies have been so bad for the FTW cards? They just can't hit the clocks and stay stable? So then you introduce a new sku that allows you to use the cards that don't pass your FTW testing? At least that is the first thing that comes to my mind when I see this.

I had the same thoughts as you the moment I saw this tbh. I'd imagine these cards weren't exactly winners in the silicon lottery so they have to be sold at reference clock speeds

Sounds reasonable. I wasn't questioning why you were doing this, I just figured you needed a way to sell all/most of the FTW cards, even the ones that weren't stable at the higher frequency

FattysGoneWild
Meh. This is still suspect and you are only confusing customers having 2 of the same versions. I think this is kind of a shady way to drive up more sales. People are desperate for a FTW. They order this by mistake only to realize. Its not the real deal. The other one is at the higher price. I really really don't like this at all from EVGA. Surprised. Its down right trickery. I don't care how you guys sugar coat it or people stand up for it saying its fine.  

 
W T freaking mate? A LOT of other companies have "base" clock versions and then "overclocked" versions of their GPU's with aftermarket coolers, MSI, Gigabyte and some Asus. Evga is no different, so get off your high horse, before you fall and make yourself look more moronic
 
 

What's the point of having a FTW version of something they're explicitly calling substandard or "not guaranteed"? Isn't that what the SC or ACX 3.0 versions are for? Why even use the FTW label at all? It's explicitly being done to confuse and be opportunistic.
 
It'd be one thing if they didn't call it FTW DT, but no. Everyone with clear vision sees the intention behind this move and it stinks.

SC and ACX 3.0 are completely different PCB, different cooler, (FTW is larger), more power phases, dual BIOS, double 8pin, RGB lighting, etc.
 
Here is a chart that is on the product page also:
 
 

You're the one making yourself look moronic. EVGA already has a base clock card with an aftermarket cooler, it's called the 1080 acx 3.0. So why make one that uses the performance name, but takes away the out of the box performance? The answer is because now everyone know that as far as OC goes there is no benefit to having extra power phases and a different pcb, but they still want rgb. Instead of calling it FTW they should have named it I don't know maybe 1080 acx 3.0 rgb.

EVGA_JacobF
SC and ACX 3.0 are completely different PCB, different cooler, (FTW is larger), more power phases, dual BIOS, double 8pin, RGB lighting, etc.
 
Here is a chart that is on the product page also:
 
 

Maybe so, but again clearly the card did not meet the OC spec of a FTW, so why name it that?  It clocks the exact same as an FE and will clearly behave in the same fashion or it would not be discarded from the legitimate "FTW" designation, and not be given the teaser FTW name.

masshuum

EVGA_JacobF
SC and ACX 3.0 are completely different PCB, different cooler, (FTW is larger), more power phases, dual BIOS, double 8pin, RGB lighting, etc.
 
Here is a chart that is on the product page also:
 
 

But you're essentially putting a lawnmower motor in a sports car... and saying, buyer beware read the sheet specs. There's no reason to use the FTW name because it has always been implied and often expressly said that FTW applies to the gpu as well, not just the PCB and cooler...

I was just about to use this analogy. It's like taking an Audi RS4 and putting an A4 engine in it. It looks like an RS4, says RS4, and feels like an RS4 on the inside, that is until you start driving and realize something isn't right.

So why we buy SC?

Sad thing is, it will look e

vidathedog

masshuum

EVGA_JacobF
SC and ACX 3.0 are completely different PCB, different cooler, (FTW is larger), more power phases, dual BIOS, double 8pin, RGB lighting, etc.
 
Here is a chart that is on the product page also:
 
 

But you're essentially putting a lawnmower motor in a sports car... and saying, buyer beware read the sheet specs. There's no reason to use the FTW name because it has always been implied and often expressly said that FTW applies to the gpu as well, not just the PCB and cooler...

I was just about to use this analogy. It's like taking an Audi RS4 and putting an A4 engine in it. It looks like an RS4, says RS4, and feels like an RS4 on the inside, that is until you start driving and realize something isn't right.

Sad thing is, it will look exactly like the legitimate FTW card and I'm sure the top name plate will not be changed at all to reflect its stock clock.  It will clearly be the biggest poser around....literally the A4, badged as an S4 or RS4.  Bait and Switch at its best here.

EVGA_JacobF
It goes back to this: http://www.evga.com/articles/01022/evga-wysiwyg/ 
 
All SC and FTW cards are strenuously tested in order to ensure they can meet the advertised frequency. Not all cards can, but in a lot of cases, they can still overclock fine or even great, because we also test base frequency under certain intense situations, even though under boost clock scenarios it may overclock really high or perhaps even to the same level as standard FTW. In other scenarios they may have been on the absolute edge of meeting it.
 
The FTW still has the benefits of RGB lighting, 10 power phases, dual BIOS, etc. And of course, it is also at a lower price than the standard FTW part.

So I was basically right in that these are FTW cards that are already assembled so as such have the FTW pcb, and the RGB, etc. but couldn't pass all the testing you do to ensure people get what they are expecting. I think that it is fine to have this card, and it makes sense from evga's standpoint, but and this is critical and you can see it from the reaction here and twitter, the name needs to be something else. FTW branding has always been a sign of the best/almost best and this is not what this is. As someone suggested even calling it something like the 1080 RGB or something. I just find that using the FTW brand is a mistake. The card has a place just with the wrong name.

EVGA_JacobF
In the end, we are giving the choice and the reason I created this thread is to keep you guys informed. We will have more supply on the standard FTW model overall, so in the coming weeks/months you should have no issue getting either. If the bump in clockspeed is not your primary reason for getting the FTW then you can save $30 on the DT version. For example I saw many people who wanted FTW model specifically for the RGB lighting.
 
We will look into making it more clear at ETAIL/RETAIL, but I do want to clarify that likely these cards still overclock very well on the BOOST frequency.

Makes me think EVGA should've RGB'b all the custom cooler cards.
 
But, in the end, you're the EVGA product manager and it's your function to know what products the customer wants and what features they want on them.  The only problem I have with this card existing is that from now on every time I talk about my cards I'm going to have to refer to them as "real" FTWs. lol.

rajeek
Sad thing is, it will look e

vidathedog

masshuum

EVGA_JacobF
SC and ACX 3.0 are completely different PCB, different cooler, (FTW is larger), more power phases, dual BIOS, double 8pin, RGB lighting, etc.

Here is a chart that is on the product page also:

But you're essentially putting a lawnmower motor in a sports car... and saying, buyer beware read the sheet specs. There's no reason to use the FTW name because it has always been implied and often expressly said that FTW applies to the gpu as well, not just the PCB and cooler...

I was just about to use this analogy. It's like taking an Audi RS4 and putting an A4 engine in it. It looks like an RS4, says RS4, and feels like an RS4 on the inside, that is until you start driving and realize something isn't right.

Sad thing is, it will look exactly like the legitimate FTW card and I'm sure the top name plate will not be changed at all to reflect its stock clock.  It will clearly be the biggest poser around....literally the A4, badged as an S4 or RS4.  Bait and Switch at its best here.

These are some of the dumbest, most stupid analogies I have ever read on an enthusiast forum. By this same analogy, it would be like Intel switching a i5 for a hyperthreaded i3. This isn't a bait and switch. A bait and switch implies that somehow you are getting the short end of the stick, you are paying the same price or more for an inferior product. It's literally the same exact chip, the same power delivery system, the same high bandwidth GDDR5x, the same features. One is clocked a reference speeds, and one isn't. What's funny is for every positive, someone out there has to point out the negative.
 
I'll take a DT model and save myself $30. I have no problem pocketing the extra cash. I'm glad it was announced, I will definitely pick one up when it comes in stock, this is exactly what I was looking for.

ipaine
So I was basically right in that these are FTW cards that are already assembled so as such have the FTW pcb, and the RGB, etc. but couldn't pass all the testing you do to ensure people get what they are expecting. I think that it is fine to have this card, and it makes sense from evga's standpoint, but and this is critical and you can see it from the reaction here and twitter, the name needs to be something else. FTW branding has always been a sign of the best/almost best and this is not what this is. As someone suggested even calling it something like the 1080 RGB or something. I just find that using the FTW brand is a mistake. The card has a place just with the wrong name.

Probably over the top, but this card seems more of a FTF.
 
And naming it as a FTW derivative, while technically accurate since it has the gear, is just going to cause confusion and potential disappointment for low information or impatient consumers, all of which could have been eliminated with just a little consideration for the consumer.  Fairly disappointed in EVGA for their less-than-thoughtful approach to naming this card.
 
And for you naysayers, sure, caveat emptor.  BUT this is the kind of crap that could all be avoided with just a little consideration.  Putting a ferrari body on a volkswagen doesn't make it a Ferrari.  
 
EDIT: FTW cards have historically come with fantastic overclocks, so were perfect cards for out-of-the box performance for those not interested in, or capable of, tweaking their cards.  As such, this card utterly fails to meet the wants/needs of those consumers, who might be lured into purchasing this card because of the name.
 
Those who remember history are doomed to watch those who ignore it make the same mistakes over and over...