Is getting a card which OCs well a lottery?

[kissenger]

I was just wondering, are you likely to get a card which overclocks better if you buy a more expensive model or are you really only paying the extra for the better cooler/brand name/warranty?

I know different manufacturers will, for example, put more power phases on some cards than others, but I don't know really what determines how well a card overclocks.

 

[s7cn]

It depends what the manufacturer does to the card, for example the Asus Direct 580 has better quality capacitors and VRMS making voltages more stable etc.

But the vast majority of cards depend on how lucky you are really. You could get a card that doesn't OC much or you could get one that OC's very well.

Some cards which are factory overclocked cost £20 more but its only a mere bump in speeds (nothing you can't do yourself).

But imo, I think it can be worth it if you purchase a card which has better VRMs, and Caps etc because it does help to an extent. Custom factory coolers will benefit overclocking a lot which is worth paying for imo, which is what the majority of non-reference cards provide, more heat dissipation = more overclocking headroom.

Both my 580s from EVGA for example happily go to 950 on the core, but my friend's doesnt reach 900 from EVGA also so it's about luck too.