Palit GTX980 Super Jetstream OC Review

Nvidia's recent GTX970 and GTX980 launch has been one of the most successful we can remember. We have already analysed many partner cards and today we look at the new flagship model from Palit - the GTX980 Super Jetstream. This card is the first one that ships with a core clock speed over 1,200mhz 'out of the box'. It is also the first high end Maxwell card we have tested with enhanced memory timings as well. How does it stack up against other cards available on the market today? First impressions of the Palit GTX980 Super JetStream are very positive. The red metallic colour is very eye catching and the dual fans are constructed from a high number of sculpted blades. We will look at this in more detail on the next page. The Maxwell architecture has been designed to deliver twice the performance per watt of previous generation Geforce hardware. It sounds easy enough on paper to achieve, but the real world challenges for Nvidia have been complex. GPU GeForce GTX 680 (Kepler) GeForce GTX 980 (Maxwell) Geforce GTX 970 (Maxwell) Streaming Multiprocessors 8 16 13 CUDA Cores 1536 2048 1664 Base Clock 1006 mhz 1126 mhz 1050 mhz GPU Boost Clock 1058 mhz 1216 mhz 1178 mhz Total Video memory 2GB 4GB 4GB Texel fill-rate 129 Gigatexels/Sec 144.1 Gigatexels/Sec 109.2 Gigatexels/Sec Memory Clock 6000 mhz 7000 mhz 7000 mhz Memory Bandwidth 192 GB/sec 224 GB/sec 224 GB/s ROPs 32 64 64 Manufacturing Process 28nm 28nm 28nm TDP 195 watts 165 watts 145 watts The new GM204 GPU is very efficient. The Maxwell SM has been rebalanced so that the CUDA cores are fully utilised more often. Doing so saves power and enhances overall performance. The L2 cache size in the GM204 is 2MB, or four times larger than the GK104. The addition of extra cache means that fewer requests to the GPU memory are needed – again reducing power consumption and pushing more performance. The Geforce GTX 980 is equipped with 7Gbps memory. Those of you with higher resolution monitors, or running in a multi screen configuration will also be pleased to hear that there is 4GB of GDDR5 memory on the card, not 3GB – this memory will push 224 GB/s sec. Nvidia have added a new compression engine to reduce the demand on DRAM bandwidth. The Palit GTX980 Super JetStream OC has received a core clock enhancement to 1,203mhz, from 1,126mhz on the reference design. The GDDR5 memory has also received a small tweak, clocked from 1,753mhz to 1,800mhz (7.2Gbps effective). The Palit GTX980 Super JetStream ships in a long rectangular box, typical of previous Palit products. This one opens into a gatefold style presentation, highlighting some of the key buying points. We would say this would be great for a physical retail store, but are there any left? The Palit GTX980 Super JetStream bundle contains a software disc, literature on the product, power and video converter cables and a sticker. We do advise everyone to get the latest Forceware drivers direct from the Nvidia website however as there is a chance the driver on the disc will be very outdated. An attractive looking card, featuring a dual 100mm fan configuration, red coloured shroud and custom backplate - to enhance cooling and looks. The PCB is black, which also earns it brownie (blackie) points? The dual fans alternate blade rotations. Each fan rotates in a different direction to reduce airflow conflict. The Palit GTX980 Super JetStream is SLi capable, and takes power from a 6 pin and 8 pin connector. Palit have opted for a slightly different backplate configuration, featuring a Dual Link DVI connector, three mini DisplayPort and a single HDMI connector. The lack of Mini Displayport converter in the box is disappointing and will be an extra cost for many people. We think The Palit GTX980 Super Jetstream is a fantastic looking graphics card, from every angle. 4GB of Samsung grade GDDR5 is installed on the card, and the cooling system is fairly hefty. Several thick copper heatpipes run into the base, then out into multiple heatsinks along the full length of the PCB. The two fans offer direct cooling from above. Palit have utilised an 8 Phase Power delivery system The GTX980 is built on the 28nm process. It has 2,048 Cuda Cores, 64 ROP’s and 128 Texture units. The 4GB of Samsung GDDR5 is overclocked from 1,743mhz to 1,800 mhz (7.2Gbps effective) and is connected via a 256bit memory interface. The core clock speed has been increased by PALIT to 1,203mhz with a boost speed set at 1,304mhz.On this page we present some high resolution images of the product taken with a Fuji XT1 and a Sigma SD1 camera. These will take much longer to open due to the dimensions, especially on slower connections. If you use these pictures on another site or publication, please credit Kitguru.net as the owner/source. For the review today we are using the latest Nvidia Forceware 344.16 and AMD Catalyst 14.9.1 beta drivers. All of the AMD and Nvidia hardware in our reviews today used these drivers, tested between the 8th October and 14th October. We are using one of our brand new test rigs supplied by DINOPC and built to our specifications. If you want to read more about this, or are interested in buying the same Kitguru Test Rig, check out our article with links on this page. We are using an Asus PB287Q 4k and Apple 30 inch Cinema HD monitor for this review today. Comparison cards: Asus GTX780 Ti Direct CU II OC (954mhz core / 1750 mhz memory) Nvidia GTX980 Reference (1126 mhz core / 1753mhz memory) Sapphire R9 290X Tri-X OC (1040 mhz core / 1300 mhz memory) Palit GTX970 Jetstream OC (1152mhz core / 1753 mhz memory) MSI GTX970 Gaming 4G (1140 mhz core / 1753 mhz memory) Palit GTX780 6GB (902 mhz core / 1502mhz memory) Asus GTX970 StriX OC (1114 mhz core / 1753 mhz memory) Asus R9 290 Direct CU II OC (1000 mhz core / 1260 mhz memory) Software: Windows 7 Enterprise 64 bit Unigine Heaven Benchmark Unigine Valley Benchmark 3DMark Vantage 3DMark 11 3DMark Fraps Professional Steam Client FurMark Games: Grid AutoSport Tomb Raider Metro Last Light Redux Thief 2014 All the latest BIOS updates and drivers are used during testing. We perform generally under real world conditions, meaning KitGuru tests games across five closely matched runs and then average out the results to get an accurate median figure. If we use scripted benchmarks, they are mentioned on the relevant page. Game descriptions edited with courtesy from Wikipedia.Futuremark released 3DMark Vantage, on April 28, 2008. It is a benchmark based upon DirectX 10, and therefore will only run under Windows Vista (Service Pack 1 is stated as a requirement) and Windows 7. This is the first edition where the feature-restricted, free of charge version could not be used any number of times. 1280×1024 resolution was used with performance settings. The Palit GTX980 Super JetStream OC takes top position in this older Direct X 10 benchmark, scoring almost 53,000 points. 3DMark 11 is designed for testing DirectX 11 hardware running on Windows 7 and Windows Vista the benchmark includes six all new benchmark tests that make extensive use of all the new features in DirectX 11 including tessellation, compute shaders and multi-threading. After running the tests 3DMark gives your system a score with larger numbers indicating better performance. Trusted by gamers worldwide to give accurate and unbiased results, 3DMark 11 is the best way to test DirectX 11 under game-like loads. If you want to learn more about this benchmark, or to buy it yourself, head over to this page. This is one of the highest scores we have ever seen in 3Dmark from a single GPU - 19,220 points. 3DMark is an essential tool used by millions of gamers, hundreds of hardware review sites and many of the world’s leading manufacturers to measure PC gaming performance. Futuremark say “Use it to test your PC’s limits and measure the impact of overclocking and tweaking your system. Search our massive results database and see how your PC compares or just admire the graphics and wonder why all PC games don’t look this good. To get more out of your PC, put 3DMark in your PC.” Another top position for the Palit GTX980 Super JetStream, scoring 13,832 points. Unigine provides an interesting way to test hardware. It can be easily adapted to various projects due to its elaborated software design and flexible toolset. A lot of their customers claim that they have never seen such extremely-effective code, which is so easy to understand. Heaven Benchmark is a DirectX 11 GPU benchmark based on advanced Unigine engine from Unigine Corp. It reveals the enchanting magic of floating islands with a tiny village hidden in the cloudy skies. Interactive mode provides emerging experience of exploring the intricate world of steampunk. Efficient and well-architected framework makes Unigine highly scalable: Multiple API (DirectX 9 / DirectX 10 / DirectX 11 / OpenGL) render Cross-platform: MS Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7) / Linux Full support of 32bit and 64bit systems Multicore CPU support Little / big endian support (ready for game consoles) Powerful C++ API Comprehensive performance profiling system Flexible XML-based data structures We set Quality to 'High', Tessellation to 'Normal' and resolution to 1600p. Nvidia hardware scores well in this tessellation heavy benchmark. The two GTX980 cards take top position, with the higher clocked Palit version out in front.Valley Benchmark is a new GPU stress-testing tool from the developers of the very popular and highly acclaimed Heaven Benchmark. The forest-covered valley surrounded by vast mountains amazes with its scale from a bird’s-eye view and is extremely detailed down to every leaf and flower petal. This non-synthetic benchmark powered by the state-of-the art UNIGINE Engine showcases a comprehensive set of cutting-edge graphics technologies with a dynamic environment and fully interactive modes available to the end user. We toggle quality to HIGH, and resolution to 1600p. Superb performance in Unigine Valley, averaging almost 84 frames per second at 1600p.Grid Autosport (styled as GRID Autosport) is a racing video game by Codemasters and is the sequel to 2008′s Race Driver: Grid and 2013′s Grid 2. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on June 24, 2014. (Wikipedia). On this page we test at 1080p and 1600p using the 'Ultra' image quality profile with 8x MSAA. Super smooth frame rates at both 1080p and 1600p.Grid Autosport (styled as GRID Autosport) is a racing video game by Codemasters and is the sequel to 2008′s Race Driver: Grid and 2013′s Grid 2. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on June 24, 2014. (Wikipedia). We test at Ultra HD 4k with 8MSAA. The Ultra Profile is selected for maximum image quality. Thanks to the hefty overclocked speeds, the Palit GTX980 Super JetStream can almost hold an average of 60 frames per second, which is fantastic for a single GPU.Thief is set in a dark fantasy world inspired by Victorian, gothic, and steampunk aesthetics. Garrett, a master thief who has been away from his hometown for a long time, returns to it, a place known only as The City, and finds it ruled with an iron grip by a tyrant called The Baron. While The City is ravaged by a plague, the rich continue to live in isolation and good fortune while the poor are forming numerous mobs against the authorities, Garrett intends to use the volatile situation to his favor. (Wikipedia). We test with the 'very high' image quality preset at 1080p and 1600p. Thief is a demanding engine, although no problems for the Palit GTX980 Super JetStream, holding smooth frame rates at both 1080p and 1600p resolutions.Thief is set in a dark fantasy world inspired by Victorian, gothic, and steampunk aesthetics. Garrett, a master thief who has been away from his hometown for a long time, returns to it, a place known only as The City, and finds it ruled with an iron grip by a tyrant called The Baron. While The City is ravaged by a plague, the rich continue to live in isolation and good fortune while the poor are forming numerous mobs against the authorities, Garrett intends to use the volatile situation to his favor. (Wikipedia). We test at the 'very high' preset for maximum image quality. Resolution is set to 4k for this particular test. A super demanding engine at 4k. If you take the view that 25 frames per second is the 'cut off' point for acceptable motion, then an overclocked GTX980 solution is the only single GPU to deliver playable frame rates.Tomb Raider received much acclaim from critics, who praised the graphics, the gameplay and Camilla Luddington’s performance as Lara with many critics agreeing that the game is a solid and much needed reboot of the franchise. Much criticism went to the addition of the multiplayer which many felt was unnecessary. Tomb Raider went on to sell one million copies in forty-eight hours of its release, and has sold 3.4 million copies worldwide so far. (Wikipedia). We test with the 'ultimate' image quality profile at 1080p and 1600p. One of the most impressive game engines in recent years. The Palit GTX980 Super JetStream maintains smooth frame rates at both 1080p and 1600p.Tomb Raider received much acclaim from critics, who praised the graphics, the gameplay and Camilla Luddington’s performance as Lara with many critics agreeing that the game is a solid and much needed reboot of the franchise. Much criticism went to the addition of the multiplayer which many felt was unnecessary. Tomb Raider went on to sell one million copies in forty-eight hours of its release, and has sold 3.4 million copies worldwide so far. (Wikipedia). We test at Ultra HD 4k resolution with the 'Ultra' image profile enabled. Single GPU solutions find the 'Ultimate' image quality preset too difficult to power properly. At Ultra HD 4k resolution, the Palit GTX980 Super JetStream holds a 45 frame rate per second average.On May 22, 2014, a Redux version of Metro Last Light was announced. It was released on August 26, 2014 in North America and August 29, 2014 in Europe for the PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Redux adds all the DLC and graphical improvements. A compilation package, titled Metro Redux, was released at the same time which includes Last Light and 2033. (Wikipedia). We test with following settings: Quality-Very High, SSAA-off, Texture Filtering-16x, Motion Blur-Normal, Tessellation-Normal, Advanced Physx-On. At 1600p this engine proves quite a challenge for even the high end hardware on test today. At 1600p, the Palit GTX980 Super JetStream still holds close to 40 frames per second at all times.On May 22, 2014, a Redux version of Metro Last Light was announced. It was released on August 26, 2014 in North America and August 29, 2014 in Europe for the PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Redux adds all the DLC and graphical improvements. A compilation package, titled Metro Redux, was released at the same time which includes Last Light and 2033. (Wikipedia). We test with following settings: Quality-High, SSAA-off, Texture Filtering-16x, Motion Blur-off, Tessellation-Normal, Advanced Physx-off. The game runs smooth on the Asus GTX980 Strix OC at 4K, holding above 25fps at all times.The tests were performed in a controlled air conditioned room with temperatures maintained at a constant 23c – a comfortable environment for the majority of people reading this.Idle temperatures were measured after sitting at the desktop for 30 minutes. Load measurements were acquired by playing Crysis Warhead for 30 minutes and measuring the peak temperature. We also have included Furmark results, recording maximum temperatures throughout a 30 minute stress test. All fan settings were left on automatic. The Palit GTX980 Super JetStream cooler isn't quite as good as the latest Direct CU cooler, fitted to the Asus GTX980 Strix. It holds gaming temperatures around the 65-66c mark which is 7c cooler than the reference GTX980.We have built a system inside a Lian Li chassis with no case fans and have used a fanless cooler on our CPU. The motherboard is also passively cooled. This gives us a build with almost completely passive cooling and it means we can measure noise of just the graphics card inside the system when we run looped 3dMark tests. We measure from a distance of around 1 meter from the closed chassis and 4 foot from the ground to mirror a real world situation. Ambient noise in the room measures close to the limits of our sound meter at 28dBa. Why do this? Well this means we can eliminate secondary noise pollution in the test room and concentrate on only the video card. It also brings us slightly closer to industry standards, such as DIN 45635. KitGuru noise guide 10dBA - Normal Breathing/Rustling Leaves 20-25dBA – Whisper 30dBA - High Quality Computer fan 40dBA - A Bubbling Brook, or a Refrigerator 50dBA - Normal Conversation 60dBA - Laughter 70dBA – Vacuum Cleaner or Hairdryer 80dBA - City Traffic or a Garbage Disposal 90dBA - Motorcycle or Lawnmower 100dBA – MP3 player at maximum output 110dBA - Orchestra 120dBA – Front row rock concert/Jet Engine 130dBA – Threshold of Pain 140dBA – Military Jet takeoff/Gunshot (close range) 160dBA – Instant Perforation of eardrum All of the GTX980 cards are quiet, and the Palit GTX980 Super JetStream is no different. Under gaming load you would be hard pressed to even hear the fans running, unless you had the case door open and no other fans in the build.To test power consumption today we are using a Keithley Integra unit and we measure power consumption from the VGA card inputs, not the system wide drain. We measure results while gaming in Tomb Raider at 4k resolution and the synthetic stress test Furmark - recording both results. The GTX980 cards are very efficient, thanks to the advancements with the Maxwell architecture. The Palit GTX980 Super JetStream consumes around 164 watts under gaming load, which is around 4 watts more than the Asus GTX980 Strix OC.To overclock today we are using the latest V4.0.0 of MSI's Afterburner based on the excellent Rivatuner. We managed to push the card to 1,319mhz before instability would occur (9.7%). This is a little behind the Asus GTX980 Strix, which peaked at 1,380mhz. The additional overclock on the core helped to push performance further - the score in 3DMark 11 increased from 19,220 points to 20,691 points.As evidenced by reader adoption on the busy Kitguru Facebook page, this has been one of the most successful launches for Nvidia. Enthusiast users have welcomed Nvidia's focus on reducing power consumption, heat output and noise levels. The Palit GTX980 Super JetStream is the third sample in our labs since the reference card launch back on September 19th. Out of the box this is the fastest of all cards we have analysed. Palit do tend to push core clock speeds higher than many of the other partners, and considering the ample headroom on the Maxwell core - we say, why not? First impressions are positive. The dramatic, metallic red coloured cooling shroud attracts the eye, and the angled large 10cm fans look the business. The black PCB and substantial backplate help enhance the overall appearance. In operation this card delivers class leading frame rates, and it does so without creating a racket, or by emitting a lot of heat into the case. Overclocking headroom on the Maxwell GM204 core has proven to be excellent. The default 'out of the box' core clock speed of the Palit GTX980 Super JetStream is set at 1,203mhz, and with some manual tweaking we were able to push this to 1,319mhz core/1,420mhz Boost. At these speeds performance levels step up another notch, and some of the more demanding engines will run noticeably smoother at higher resolutions. Sadly the GTX980 will still need partnered up in SLi to drive super smooth frame rates at 4K resolutions, but it will be some time in the future before a single GPU can handle 3,840 x 2,160 with the latest Direct X 11 engines. Right now the biggest competitor facing the Palit GTX980 Super JetStream is the Asus GTX980 Strix OC. The Asus card is equipped with a slightly better cooler, and noise levels are also a little lower. While the Palit card is clocked a little higher out of the box, the Asus sample we reviewed was able to overclock to higher core clock speeds of 1,380mhz core/1,481mhz boost. All cards will be slightly different, but we can only report on what we receive and test. While we feel the ASUS GTX980 Strix OC is the slightly better overall card, it is around £35 more expensive than the Palit card we reviewed today, priced at £509.99 inc vat. You can order the Palit GTX980 Super JetStream from Overclockers UK, for £473.99 HERE. Discuss on our Facebook page, over HERE. Pros: fastest GTX980 we have tested. GDDR5 memory also receives a little clock boost. fantastic looking design. very quiet. very high build quality, including backplate. 4GB of GDDR5 memory. 7c cooler than reference GTX980 under load. Cons: the reference GTX980 is excellent and is much cheaper. still need two of them for smooth 4k gaming. Kitguru says: The fastest 'out of the box' GTX980 we have reviewed today. Looks fantastic, is quiet and overclocks very well.