You're probably right, I should maybe just buy a cheap one. I wondered if maybe some of them are known to use better components or have less coil whine but I don't think anyone has checked this yet 😅
I agree the reference design is called that because the other manufacturers base their designs on it, but these cards are using exactly that design - without any changes.
Please forgive me, but I strongly believe they are reference cards. I'm referring to the cards built by those different manufacturers, but still using the reference design - all having identical pcbs and coolers - the cards that all look the same, despite having a different brand on the box.
I don't mean the cards that are designed by those manufacturers and look completely different.
Do you consider sapphire to be morally responsible compared to others? Also, I'm curious, is there a case of one being responsible for a drought that you're referring to?
I didn't know this was a thing, but I hope 3d printer reviewing people adopt it as a standard test. Most of the time a prints fails for me, it's because of a inconsistent (continuously changing) first layer.
I've never visited the site before so I just assumed it was just malicious, but as @zdanger said, it might be a hijacked legit site.
I do use uBlock. It also didn't 'feel' like an ad. I now expect the site was compromised as you suggested.