Which GTX 980 card should I go for?

[Nahrga]

Hello there ROG Forum.
I'm soon going to buy a GTX 980. However, I have no idea which one I should choose.

I've been thinking about these cards: EVGA GTX 980 SC, ASUS STRIX GTX 980 and MSI GTX 980.

I don't want the Gigabyte version because last time I used a Gigabyte G1 GTX 970 I had problems with their "Flex Display". Every time I had a second or third screen connected it switched BIOS (because of its dual BIOS function). This resulted in black screen and Windows automaticly reinstalling Nvidia driver. I could see it switched BIOS in GPU-Z, so I know that was the cause.

I got a 550W PSU (Cooler Master V550S 80 Plus Gold), since my build originally had this Gigabyte G1 GTX 970 in it. However I guess my 550W PSU should be enough for a 980 as well?

Thanks in advance 🙂

EDIT: There is also Gainward and Zotac in the cheaper end. However, I don't know much about those cards.

[Nahrga]

I should have listened to you guys and bought the 980 Strix.

I ended up buying the Zotac GTX 980 AMP! Edition on sale for $570, and from the beginning it had some coil whine. Besides the coil whine it was a great performing card with no issues.
However, this coil whine became so bad over the last month that I luckily got a refund a few days ago.
Now I'm probably going to order the Strix within the next few weeks I guess.

I'm also going to buy a G-Sync monitor with the new card. But I did notice that a lot of people have issues with displayport and 900-series GPUs (for example, screen can't wake up and no signal from DP). Are these issues fixed yet? or shouldn't I be worried?

EDIT:
I've found this: https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?59850-GTX-970-980-BIOS-update-for-DisplayPort-issues, it seems that the issue still isn't fixed..

[Korth]

One of my friends uses a pair of Zotac GTX980 AMP! Extreme cards, no coil whine at all, and a great factory overclock. But no overclocking potential at all - Zotac's system is proprietary, it works great as designed but cannot be overclocked outside of what they allow (not without some soldered voltmods, anyhow).

I'm quite happy with my EVGA GTX980 cards, but of course the Titan X came out the next week. I expect if I buy Titan X, a 980Ti or Titan XI or something will come out the next week, lol.

You can't go far wrong with a GTX980 Strix or Matrix, unless (like me) you just find the googly owl eyes and angular ROG styling too ridiculous. If you want GTX980 reference, I think the PNY card is the best overclock-potential option out there.