MSI VS Gigabyte Video Card

[waloshin]

A) MSI GeForce GTX 460 Fermi Cyclone OC 725MHZ 1024MB GDDR5 $255 CDN +

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:fEp8ubZPJ9KQbM:http://www.vgadownload.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/MSI-N460GTX-Cyclone-768D5OC-GeForce-GTX-460.jpg&t=1

Free Just Cause 2 (PC Game) Coupon for Digital Download *NVIDIA Promo Only* (a $59.99 value!)

OR

B) Gigabyte GeForce GTX 460 Fermi 715MHZ 1GB GDDR5 $249.00 CDN

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:GcH2FSKUT5yD3M:http://benchmarkreviews.com/images/reviews/video_cards/NVIDIA-GTX-460/Gigabyte-GeForce-GTX-460-Video-Card.jpg&t=1

With no free game.

I am leaning towards the MSI because it has the free Just Cause 2 game, but I am also leaning towards the Gigabyte because it has a better cooler.

The Msi one:

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=54624&vpn=N460GTX%20Cyclone1GD5/OC&manufacture=MSI/MicroStar

The Gigabyte one

:http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=54506&vpn=GV-N460OC-1GI&manufacture=Gigabyte

[Spice Weasel]

I'd go with the Gigabyte, because they are a more well known and used company and not related to Foxconn. That cooler also looks really good.

[juancarlospaco]

Gigabyte, but check if all caps are solid under these plastic cover(i think so)

I have several PCs but only 1 got VGA card, others use Serial Console without VGA.

[BuffaloX]

I have had good experience with Gigabyte components, they are usually good quality components, but sometimes a bit limited feature wise.

In this case I seriously doubt Gigabyte has better cooling, seems to me the two fans work against each other, and may actually cause heat build up between them.

I'd go for the MSI if the only consideration is cooling.
To achieve better cooling with the Gigabyte solution, I suspect it would need to be at considerably higher fan speeds.

[spoons]

I'd go for the Gigabyte because it's cooler running, quieter and have better returns than MSI.

[waloshin]

I am going to buy one of these today so anybody else who wants to chime in please do.

[daskog]

I got the MSI Cyclone GTX 460 1GB OC and i am really happy, its so quiet =) i dont think it really matter what you pick

[WalmartSniperLX]

Well Idk about these cards because I never used these exact models.

I only bought one MSI card: the 8600GTS Factory OC edition.

Best card I ever bought lol. I wouldn't get a factory oc card next time but if I have the chance I will buy MSI again. They're known for stability without a compromise in price.

Gigabyte is a great brand as well.

Edit: In terms of the cooler, the Gigabyte is not necessary since GDDR memory on that board shouldn't get so hot to where it will need a giant heatsink like that. You can always upgrade later but the design on the MSI heatsink looks like it would be better at removing heat from the GPU than the Gigabyte but I could be wrong.

[mips]

I would go for the Gigabyte purely out of prior experience. Reputable brand.

Guru3d has a shootout comparing the two cards you listed (except 768MB versions). The Gigabyte also overclocks to the moon. Noise levels is another issue I usually look into when buying, the quieter the better ;)
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-460-review/1

[Rahbee Kannuhn]

Heatsinks more better than fans. You can always add fans, and it's true you can add heat sinks. But fans are cheaper, and more important easier to add than fans. The Gigabyte card looks like it may have more surface area covered with heat sink(ignore the fans you can replace them) The MSI has a crazy looking heat pipe thing, but a lot of uncovered surface. I'm likin the Gigabyte model.

Free games are free because...

[waloshin]

Heatsinks more better than fans. You can always add fans, and it's true you can add heat sinks. But fans are cheaper, and more important easier to add than fans. The Gigabyte card looks like it may have more surface area covered with heat sink(ignore the fans you can replace them) The MSI has a crazy looking heat pipe thing, but a lot of uncovered surface. I'm likin the Gigabyte model.

Free games are free because...

They come bundled with the video card.