Gigabyte GeForce GTX 570 - OC or SOC?

[Jed Shields]

What's the difference between the SOC and OC version of the Gigabyte GTX 570 cards?

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 570 SOC WINDFORCE 3X
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-085-GI&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1010

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 570 OC WINDFORCE 3X
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-086-GI&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1010

Both are on offer this week, around £20 between them. Are you paying just for an overclock that you can do yourself, or is there more to it?

 

[AdamN]

A From what I can see the only noticable difference is the core clock. If it were me I'd stick with the OC model (if thats what you want to buy) and go from there.

These cards are both the same design with the same fans etc so in theory should both take the same level of overclock.

Put the extra £20 towards Battlefield 3.

 

[Jed Shields]

Put the extra £20 towards Battlefield 3.

It's already on it's way

 

[AdamN]

Ditto - See you on the Caspian Border my friend!

Honestly, go for the OC model and overclock it yourself unless you don't feel comfortable. If, like me, you like your graphics cards 'out the box' buy the SOC.

 

[Jed Shields]

I've never overclocked a graphics card. The only thing I've overclocked is my Q6600, but that was very straightforward ... can't it be done with software now?

 

[AdamN]

nVidia Inspector I think is was everybody uses these days. It allows you to set up profiles as shortcuts on your desktop to run different software based overclock profiles dependant on what program/game you're running.

If you don't feel confident OC'ing, the extra £20 isn't worth the extra performance but I'd argue it is worth the peace of mind.

 

[LiE]

I went with the SOC because I'm not likely to overclock and what's £20 when you're already spending £250+

 

[AdamN]

I went with the SOC because I'm not likely to overclock and what's £20 when you're already spending £250+

Fair point. DO IT DO IT DO IT!

 

[Jed Shields]

Fair point. DO IT DO IT DO IT!

Done it, arriving tomorrow, hopefully just before my BF3

 

[AdamN]

Done it, arriving tomorrow, hopefully just before my BF3

See you on the field!

 

[gee3000]

How are you getting on with the card Jed Shields? Considering buying this one at the moment for BF3 to go with my i5 2500k z68.

 

[LiE]

I bought the SOC and have had it a couple of days. Really impressed with BF3 performance at 1680x1050 constant 70-90fps with most on ultra and fxaa high. In my system it only hits 57 degrees under max load. It's also very quiet.

 

[subbytna]

I moved from a Gigabyte 460 to an Inno3D 570 gpu and the noise increase is very noticeable. I'll deffo be going back to Gigabyte on my next upgrade. I love their cards as they are so quiet.