Pre-overclocked cards

[Magic Man]

With the pre-overclocked cards such as the 8800GTX OC and 8800GTX OC2 that BFG do, how are the overclocks 'fixed' - are they at a firmware level or do they simply require that you clock the card to these guaranteed levels speeds via the drivers?

I assume that, like CPUs, the GPUs and memory for such cards are speed binned parts and therefore the best picks - meaning that the standard cards therefore quite likely include the parts that failed the faster bin selections.

I'm particularly looking at the BFG range because of the warranty - I know the 8800 cards are virtually identical and the OC version is therefore very good value but I want more than a single year warranty. Is the price difference between the standard BFG model and its two faster pre-overclocked versions (the fastest only just short of an Ultra) warranted in the price difference?

 

[paradigm]

The clockspeeds will be dictated in the BIOS of the card.

The overclocked versions don't represent value for money, might as well get a "normal" one, and overclock it to the same levels or beyond.

 

[ricky1981]

Only reason I can see to go pre-overclocked is if the card has also been upgraded with a better cooling system.

 

[Magic Man]

The clockspeeds will be dictated in the BIOS of the card.

The overclocked versions don't represent value for money, might as well get a "normal" one, and overclock it to the same levels or beyond.

But I assume the pre-overclocked parts are speed binned chosen parts whereas standard versions are not guaranteed to clock to the same speeds.

In other words, the same as an Ultra is purely the best speed binned parts available.

 

[ACESHIGH]

But I assume the pre-overclocked parts are speed binned chosen parts whereas standard versions are not guaranteed to clock to the same speeds.

Sure there is no guarantee that any card will overclock to any specific degree, but most (all) cards will overclock & often past the levels most preoverclocked cards are set at.

I do agree with the above poster that preoverclocked cards are not good value as they often are charged at a premium for a very small increase in actual performance, or at a premium price that is not commensurate with the level of extra performance gained.

 

[sid]

But I assume the pre-overclocked parts are speed binned chosen parts whereas standard versions are not guaranteed to clock to the same speeds.

In other words, the same as an Ultra is purely the best speed binned parts available.

Yes you are right but even then the overclocks are too conservative.

You'd be too unlucky not to be able to get ultra speeds on a GTX for example/

sid

 

[HangTime]

I've bought pre-overclocked cards in the past, but that wasn't the main selling point:

Hercules GF2MX
This had faster memory due to using 5.5ns RAM instead of 6ns, i.e. it wasn't just clocked higher, the physical hardware was different from standard

XFX 6800
Faster speeds, bought because the price was good

BFG 8800GTS-320 OC
Faster speeds, bought because the price/availability was good

I don't really deliberately go out looking for pre-overclocked cards, but I don't mind paying a small premium (say £5) if it's a reputable manufacturer.

 

[Magic Man]

Okay, so say with the standard BFG card, I'd be almost guaranteed the same overclocks as their OC2 card?

 

[truebluecfc]

I bought the cheapest BFG 8800 GTS 640MB card and checked their highest pre-overclocked card and i overclocked straight to those speeds no problem what so ever, I've even been able to overclock it way more than their highest pre-overclocked card, personally its a waste of money to buy pre-overclocked cards unless they come with something extra like better cooling for instance.

 

[Kezmo]

Speed binned / cheery picked is all bs , do they really have the time and resources to check every cards overclock potential ?

All the same cards just a different bios.

 

[J.D]

Speed binned / cheery picked is all bs , do they really have the time and resources to check every cards overclock potential ?

All the same cards just a different bios.

Well Nvidia certainly have time on their hands.

 

[Magic Man]

Speed binned / cheery picked is all bs , do they really have the time and resources to check every cards overclock potential ?

All the same cards just a different bios.

It would be a simple test on the production line - the same time they test for duds...