R9 Fury X vs GTX 980 Ti - Small Form Factor Gaming Showdown!

This video investigates how two high end graphics solutions perform in a compact small form factor PC build. The host sets up a SilverStone SG13 case with a modest overclocked capable platform, using a 4670k CPU, 16GB RAM, and a compact 500W SFX PSU to test two competing flagship GPUs: the reference GTX 980 Ti and the water cooled R9 Fury X. The testing approach emphasizes real world cooling, acoustics, and temperature behavior under load, rather than raw FPS. Early sections compare CPU and motherboard temperatures as the system loads, noting the GTX 980 Ti benefits from robust liquid cooling while the Fury X shows how its smaller form factor and HBM memory can free up space for cooling efficiency. The video then shifts to gaming benchmarks, focusing on Crisis 3 at 2560x1440 with high texture settings, revealing that the Fury X can maintain a 5% edge in this scenario, despite expectations that the air cooled 980 Ti would dominate in a confined space. The host discusses thermals in gaming, noting that the Fury X manages cooler GPU temperatures under load while the 980 Ti remains strong, but with caveats about case airflow and radiator orientation. The comparison culminates in a nuanced verdict: in this edge case, the Fury X edges ahead due to its cooling and compact design, yet practical considerations such as case airflow can tilt the balance, making orientation and fan placement critical for CPU stability. The video also threads in viewer engagement moments, including bonus footage and a community design contest around wall mounted headphone stands, illustrating the channel’s broader focus on hardware modding and enthusiast projects. Viewers are encouraged to vote in the related design contest and to subscribe for more head-to-head GPU content, with a closing nod to exploring additional head-to-heads and other tech topics in future videos.

Topics · hardware · gaming · technology · pc_builds · consumer_electronics