But I agree, it would be good to see a heavily AMD biased title tested
Or at least drop some of the non-demanding titles at least, as so many just punch up the averages.
While it gave some gains to 4K to me it's no so much from architectural improvements, but the faster clocks and still being able to have 320 GB/s on a cost effective 256-bit. It pack a punch at lower resolutions, and that's fine, but I see W1zzard 9.1 score telling in the value of this for 1440p it's a lot to pay, while for 4K it might, although the FE might not be a good purchase. Even to buy today as a way to tide one over till larger gains are recognized, as I don't think you will recouped the premium once the days of Vega and GP100 arrive. I think for 1440p this offer excellent FpS, but even then I'd say wait to see the 1070 and to a lesser extent a Polaris because you shouldn't have to approach even $400 any more to see great 1440p.
As to the fan cooler I kind of understand as W1zzard said, "I just hope that this will not tempt custom board manufacturers to go for ultra-low temperatures while ignoring fan noise." I see this cooler stepping aback from what the 980/908Ti could offer, especially knowing how much power/heat this new GPU would need to shed.
I think most AIB customs should have no issue controlling the clocks, temp, and noise as it seems Nvidia has provide a fairly wide breath in this F-E cooler. Honestly, is there any real difference between a 980Ti Ref and the F-E as the picture from W1zzard's previous 980Ti has only passing adjustments for PCB components. I'd say the vapo-chamber and cooling fins inside are hardly if any changed. Does anybody see this cooler as anything more than changes to the shrouds aesthetics. I almost see the F-E as a way to hold the reins in on what probably going to be fairly non-saturated channel for some time. You have a opportunity to pay the "tribute" price or be stigmatized as one of those who just can't/wont pay up till that $600 is found in the market.