MSI GTX 980 Ti Lightning 6GB Review

The tests were performed in a controlled room with temperatures maintained at a constant 25°C – a comfortable summer environment for the majority of people reading this. Idle temperatures were measured after sitting at the desktop for 15 minutes. Gaming measurements were acquired by repeating the GTA V benchmark for 15 minutes and taking the stabilised reading. All fan settings were left on automatic.

Thermal performance of MSI's thick, triple-fan cooler is superb. The fans do not spin under low load in order to minimise noise output. When the card is loaded with a game the fans seem to target a speed level which has the GPU core operating around the 66C mark.

Despite not making direct contact with the card's PCB, MSI's backplate seems to be spreading the heat quite effectively. We detected a hot spot on a thick metal section of the cooler close to the Lightning logo. Good results.

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