Question 1

I'm assuming the 780ti SC does NOT include a backplate, is that right?

Accepted Answer

That is correct. No backplate. They are also being sold as fast as they come in from EVGA so you have to be fast in order to snag one. I picked one up from EVGA and they are quite nice and it gives me comfort knowing  that it has more support as I do travel with my case sometimes.

Question 2

I was just wondering if my current PSU is sufficient enough to run this card? I have a:

Seventeam ST-850PAF 850W ATX 12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE

Accepted Answer

Yes, that's more than enough power with room to add more cards and SLI if you wanted too.

Question 3

PCIe requirements are x16  or x8 ?

Accepted Answer

Modern graphics cards like this one can run in x16 or x8 mode. If you only have a motherboard that supports x8 PCIe, then I would really recommend that you buy a different card because there are cheaper cards out that that will give you the same performance as this card running in x8 mode.

Question 4

I keep reading in the reviews about how this graphics card doesn't come with a back plate, and how they had to purchase it from a different site. What is this back plate, and is it necessary to get it?

Accepted Answer

This card does not have a backplate.The PCB is exposed on the back side.

Backplates are typically added to provide a cleaner and nicer appearance, can provide more support for heavy cards like those with larger/non-reference heatsinks, or used for liquid cooling arrangements.

If you are planning on doing some significant overclocking, intend on using two or more in an SLi arrangement, or you have a very limited airflow for your system, then a non-factory heatsink or liquid cooling is an option which may require an additional backplate. Beyond that though, I do not think there is any reason to get one as this card does not run very hot at all.

Question 5

I am working on my new future proof gaming rig and I am stuck on what power supply I need to get. I want to SLI 2 GTX 780 Ti's with enough headroom to overclock the CPU, RAM, and maybe even the GPU in the future. I've been doing a lot of research and 50% of people say that an 860W PSU is enough but another 50% says you need at least 1000W's. I am trying to get a 80 plus platinum PSU that is fully modular. My choices are either Seasonic 860W platinum or 1000W platinum. I would even get a Corsair AX Series PSU but I have heard that they get coil whine under load but I am not a Corsair PSU expert so I don't know. I just don't want to overkill on a 1000W PSU when an 860W would be enough? Detailed answers would be greatly appreciated.   
 
My RIG:
 
SLI GTX 780 TI'S
Gigabyte UD4H Z87 MB
Intel 4770k
Corsair H105 Water Cooler
16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro 1600MHz Ram (4x4 Sticks)
4 Corsair Fans
2 SSDS

Accepted Answer

I built five systems using the 4770k, 780, 32GB, 3 200mm and 2 300mm fans, 4 drive raid hot swap arrays, asus Z87 Pro for high end CAD and rendering/rasterization.  The 780's were overclocked, but I avoided overclocking the 4770k's (warranty issues),  I put Corsair 1200 watt PSU's in them.  My overkill objective was to build a high-end overcooled maintenance free system for a customer.  They have been pleased and have had no problems( the systems are approx. 6 mos old and used every day 8-10 hrs a day).  I think they can add about anything they want to these systems with no worry of overheat or strain on the PSU.  There's not enough difference in price of the 1000 and the 1200 to quibble.  The corsair PSU's are always as near to flawless as you can buy.  After using them in the hundreds, I can only remember one failure and they replaced it without question.

I had only four problems in the builds:  One Asus board had bent cpu pins, one DOA Seagate (out of 20 drives), and one cable end I broke, and the 780's and PSU's were out of stock everywhere.

I do not at this time in the hardware development cycle recommend SSD's.  Read up on them.  Most have double or so the amount of memory specified for bad 'sector' re-assignment and will probably fail completely within 3 years, depending on how high the write/rewrite rate load upon them.  If you use the run-of-the-mill SSD's, expect to replace them in 3 years or less.

Happy Gaming.

Question 6

I already had this and RMAd it due to coil whine. Now my question is that is coil whine common with this card? I can only get a replacement so I'd rather sell it off than deal with coil whine again. Did anyone else experience the same issue?

Accepted Answer

I have owned this card for a few months and to be honest even while playing games like the Witcher 2 with super-sampling on max, I haven't had any real issues with it.  I did have one random instance of coil whine, while playing Tomb Raider on Max settings at 144 hz, but I have been unable to reproduce it.  I don't know of others who have had coil whine problems either.  I dont think its common you most likely just got a bad card, I would try a second one.

Question 7

Will this fit in a ASUS Crosshair IV Formula AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard?

Accepted Answer

Sure will, i just took a look at that board. Only downside is the pci express is 2.0 versus the newer 3.0. I actually have the asus maximus vi hero mobo now.

Question 8

I need to know before I purchase if my intel core i7 cpu 870@2.93 w/ 3.4 boost will bottleneck the full capabilities of this gpu??? I also run 16 gb ram and 1000 w psu. Thanks for the answer.

Accepted Answer

The reviews are true. This card is mean. I'm into distributed computing and this card's production isn't affected by heat like my 780s. It's been running running 24/7 for months without a hiccup. Like other reviewers, I'm afraid to let my card idle for too long; less it become sentient. I did install the linux version of Quake to see what it could do. I got motion sickness from the speed and smoothness of running and turning my head.  Regarding bottlenecks, few games are multi-threaded, even today. Of course, performance will very from game to game. Your clock speed should handle the games you throw at it. However, I'm not a gamer, so I don't want to mislead you. If you want a more definitive answer. I'd post your question on [H]ard Forum, in the NVIDIA section, or other GPU forum. Sorry, I couldn't give you a direct answer. However, we're talking about $700 on the line here.

Question 9

I have a 990 fx with a FX 8150 processor. Does this mother board support the 3.0 pci express? If not is there a upgrade to my mother board for the same processor (AM3+ socket).

Accepted Answer

I don't think it supports pcie 3.0. And I don't think there's anything u can buy to go from a 2.0 to a 3.0. You would have to upgrade your motherboard. 
I have an older motherboard that only supports pcie2.0 and I'm running the 780ti on it and it works awesome. I run COD ghosts on a 2660x1600 dell monitor at max res with no problem. 
You shouldn't have a problem running that cars with that board. Just make sure your power supply can handle everything. 
Good luck.

Question 10

How long is the card, and will it have any problems running with a GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3P-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard,

And a 750w PSU?

Accepted Answer

The card measures 10 1/2 inches long. Standard with. It uses a 6 pin and a 8 pin power connector. As long as your power supply has those it shouldn't be a problem using that power supply. 
There shouldn't be a problem running with the motherboard you have. 
The card is awesome. Runs everything in max at 2560x1600. I love it. 
Thanks

Questions & Answers