End of Year PC Build

Since 2013 I have been using EVGA GPUs beginning with the 760 Dual FTW, and that is the only EVGA GPU I have ever had to RMA.  The amazing thing about EVGA is, yes they are more expensive than other brands....But their Customer Service and their Warranties are the best of the best.  When I RMA'd that 760, I didn't just get it repaired and sent back....I didn't even just get another card that had been refurbished and 'quality checked'-- I got a brand new 760 Dual FTW of no cost to me and within three days.  I have since gone on to own two 980 FTW 2s, a 1080 FTW 2 with ICX Cooling and now my current 2080 Super FTW 3 Ultra Gaming with ICX II which is coming up to two or three years old (I would have to check my EVGA account to be sure).

I also have been using EVGA Power Supplies exclusively since 2016 and they've been the best PSU I have ever used.  THeir stability, performance, power delivery and industry-leading 10 year warranty is well worth the 300 to 400 CAD price tag.

Bottom line is...although they are a little more expensive (at least here)...I use EVGA for GPUs and PSUs because of their quality, performance, Customer Service and Warranty.  The higer end GPU models from EVGA (like the FTW series for example) are Factory OC'd out of the box so you don't ever have to worry about doing it manually and messing things up.


Althought I have never used their GPUs (only Motherboards from Gigabyte since 2016).....if you (understandably) can't afford EVGA, you may want to consider Gigabyte as an alternative choice.  I have read several reviews on different Gigabyte GPUs and they've all been between 3.8 and 4.8 Stars out of 5 on sites like Guru3d, Tomshardware, hardwareCanucks, overclock3d.net and LinusTechTips.   With few rare exceptions that claim 'defect' Gigabyte by all accounts appears to be a good alternative for solid price to performance and quality.

I (personally)  stay away from MSI as I have heard from people at Canada Computers that the bearings in their GPU fans and the PCBs aren't as solid as say ASUS, Gigabyte or EVGA.  They're flimsy and wear out quicker.  THe PCBs have a considerable amount of flex and the fans are quite prone to coil whine and seizure especially anywhere after that 2 year mark.