Overclocking Core / Shader / Memory

[Kaiju]

I have a XFX 9800GTX+ which at stock is 738 core, 1836 shader and 1100(2200) memory.

I can hit 800 core, 1910 shader and 1240(2480) memory without any hard modding.

My annoyance (i'm quite bored) is a range of 14 online reviews on average hit around 830 core / 2000 shader and 1200(2400) memory.

My core and memory is therefore within the range of the current crop of cards tested, but my shader really struggles to overclock.

I'm not suggesting my card is a dud and yup, i'm nitpicking but I was wondering the reasoning behind this.

I get there are different yields and some cards overclock better, especially the ones reviewed online, but is this normally the case that one of these three areas can lack?

In my case, i've got great memory chips, but poor overclocking room with the shaders.

 

[Meaker]

Yes it will be each of the "weakest" transistors in each of those areas holding each one back.

One in the core, one in the shader and one in the slowest memory chip will be at their maximum.

 

[Rroff]

Bare in mind reviewers sometimes get cherry picked cards if they've been sent them for review - cards that don't represent the overclocking of retail cards.