EVGA Beats The VR Rush With GeForce GTX 980 Ti VR Edition
Posted on February 10, 2016 3:46 PM by Rob Williams
If you’re planning to snatch up a VR headset as soon as they become publicly available, but have yet to build a PC around it, you might want to consider adding EVGA’s new GeForce GTX 980 Ti “VR Edition” to your checklist, as it sports a couple of features that could make your VR experience a lot better – or, at least easier to manage.
The GPU itself is spec’d identically to reference 980 Ti’s, which is to say it has a 1GHz clock speed and 6GB of VRAM. It could also be SLI’d with other 980 Tis – another VR Edition isn’t needed. So what makes this kit so useful? For starters, at the end opposite the video ports is an HDMI port that allows you to run a cable straight from the GPU to a front panel. Here’s that connector:
The panel installs into an available 5 1/4″ bay (I am guessing most of us have some of those available), which then allows you to plug an HDMI cable from a VR HMD (head-mounted display) directly to this panel, rather than the back of the PC. This means the cable won’t get wrapped around anything, which isn’t just convenient, it could be a safer design. You’ll also be granted access to two USB 3.0 ports, which could prove incredibly useful if your chassis doesn’t have ports at all on the front.
EVGA itself explains the card in a new video, although it mostly reiterates what was just said:
To opt for a VR Edition over a standard 980 Ti will carry a premium of $50. Currently, the ACX 2.0 version of the card is sold out, but the standard reference design remains available. If you’re fine with that version of the card, it can be ordered here.
Rob founded Techgage in 2005 to be an 'Advocate of the consumer', focusing on fair reviews and keeping people apprised of news in the tech world. Catering to both enthusiasts and businesses alike; from desktop gaming to professional workstations, and all the supporting software.