The EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti SC2 GAMING remains a capable 4K-era card, with a modest factory-overclock advantage over NVIDIA’s Founders Edition and a notably cooler, quieter cooler design. In PCWorld’s 2017 tests, it averaged 5.7% faster at stock and ran about 15°C cooler under load. Those results describe older games and test systems, not its frame rates in current releases; today it is a legacy-market purchase whose condition, price and warranty need checking.
What the GTX 1080 Ti SC2 is
The SC2 is EVGA’s factory-overclocked version of NVIDIA’s GTX 1080 Ti, launched in 2017. It has 3,584 CUDA cores and 11GB of GDDR5X memory running at 11Gbps on a 352-bit bus. EVGA specifies a 1556 MHz base clock and 1670 MHz boost clock. NVIDIA’s launch specifications and $699 launch price are recorded in its GTX 1080 Ti announcement; Hothardware listed the SC2 at $749 in 2017, a historical $50 premium over that launch price.
The SC2 uses a dual-fan cooler with four heatpipes and a backplate with thermal pads, according to TechPowerUp’s review. Its two-slot thickness is compact for a custom GTX 1080 Ti. The trade-off is that it still carries a reference-class 250W TDP, so slim dimensions do not mean low power requirements.
How fast is it, including at 4K?
In PCWorld’s 2017 game tests, the SC2 averaged 5.7% faster than the Founders Edition at stock settings. Its gains varied by game: about 6.5% in The Division at 4K, 3–4% in Hitman and Rise of the Tomb Raider, 5.36% in Far Cry Primal, and 10% in Ashes of the Singularity at 4K. These are comparisons against the Founders Edition in those specific test conditions, not a prediction for newer games.
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The review also illustrates why resolution and the rest of the PC matter. At 1440p in Ashes of the Singularity, the test system became CPU-bound, limiting the benefit of the SC2’s faster GPU. At 4K, the GPU had more room to distinguish itself. The card was built for demanding high-resolution gaming of its time, but the 2017 benchmarks cannot establish whether it meets a particular frame-rate target in a modern game.
Does iCX make it cooler and quieter?
Yes, relative to the Founders Edition in PCWorld’s tests. EVGA iCX uses nine additional sensors alongside the GPU sensor—ten in total—to monitor temperatures across the card. GPU and memory/VRM cooling can respond independently, rather than relying on one temperature reading to drive both fans. The card also has RGB temperature indicators and can be monitored with EVGA Precision XOC. Hothardware describes the system’s purpose as better monitoring and optimized cooling in its SC2 review.
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PCWorld measured the SC2 at about 15°C cooler than the Founders Edition under load and found it significantly quieter. Its fans stopped at idle. The review measured only slightly higher load power than the reference card and about 10W less power at idle. These comparisons apply to the reviewer’s 2017 setup, not every case, ambient temperature or fan profile.
What did the overclock achieve?
PCWorld’s quick overclock used a +80 MHz GPU offset and +300 MHz memory offset without raising the power limit. In-game GPU clocks reached roughly 1910–1987 MHz, and the tested games averaged 9.9% faster than the stock Founders Edition. With an aggressive fan curve, temperatures stayed in the mid-to-high 50s Celsius; system draw was 314W compared with 303W at stock in that test.
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That is one reviewer’s result, not a guaranteed setting or a promise for every card. Silicon quality, cooling, case airflow and chosen settings affect overclock stability and performance.
Power, connectors and display outputs
Hothardware lists one 6-pin and one 8-pin PCIe power connector and recommends a 600W power supply. Check that a prospective PSU has both connectors available; do not assume a suitable wattage rating alone guarantees the right cabling. The card’s listed outputs are one dual-link DVI-D, one HDMI 2.0b and three DisplayPort 1.4 ports, with a stated maximum digital resolution of 7680×4320.
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SC2 versus the Founders Edition
| Area | EVGA GTX 1080 Ti SC2 | GTX 1080 Ti Founders Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Stock performance | PCWorld’s 2017 tested games averaged 5.7% faster than the Founders Edition. | Comparison baseline in PCWorld’s tests. |
| Load temperature | About 15°C cooler in PCWorld’s 2017 test. | About 15°C warmer than the SC2 in that test. |
| Cooling and idle behavior | Dual fans; fans stopped at idle in PCWorld’s test; iCX sensor-based control. | Reference cooler; PCWorld found it louder and warmer under load. |
| Physical fit | Two-slot card, unusually compact for a custom GTX 1080 Ti. | SC2 thickness comparison not stated in the cited review findings. |
| Listed power setup | 6-pin plus 8-pin; Hothardware recommends a 600W PSU. | Comparable PSU recommendation not stated in the cited material. |
| Historical price | Hothardware listed $749 in 2017. | NVIDIA launched the GTX 1080 Ti at $699 in 2017. |
Is it a sensible buy now?
The SC2’s case for itself is its combination of a small two-slot footprint, cooler and quieter operation than the Founders Edition in the cited tests, and a useful but not transformative factory overclock. Against another used GTX 1080 Ti, condition, cooler health, price and warranty matter more than the old launch-price gap. Current availability, asking prices, seller condition and warranty status are not established here, so verify them directly before buying.
For a current gaming build, treat the 2017 game results as historical comparisons rather than modern performance guarantees. Check benchmarks for the specific games and resolution you play, and confirm that your case has room and your power supply meets the card’s connector needs.
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- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
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