6800gs. XFX or EVGA?

[johnnqq]

i was originally getting a connect3d x800gto and unlocking/overclocking blah blah. then the gs came out. this would be my first build and i didn't really want to go through the confusion of overclocking and unlocking a graphics card (let alone cpu). so i saw the evga and i was like SCORE new graphics card. THEN the xfx card came out with higher clocks+far cry. it made me think. could i get the evga and overlock beyond the xfx card because i can overclock under warranty? and what are the limitations of overclocking under the warranty?

so i guess i'll get the xfx because it is bundled with higher clock+ far cry...unless you guys disagree?

 

[Hikari]

Well, who says you have to mention an overclock?

The eVGA goes for like $199 though, instead of the higher price of the xfx... I'm possibly getting the eVGA and then just try to OC it. Lots of reviewers had good success on overclocking the nvidia reference board, which the eVGA is based on.

 

[johnnqq]

evga says that you can overclock under warranty, but just how far can you overclock before you're out of bounds?

 

[fliguy84]

most OC hits the barrier when the temperature rises really high like 80+degress or artifacts start showing up in game

 

[johnnqq]

i searched evga.com and couldn't even find their overclocking policy... help?

 

[Gstanfor]

As a general rule in the absence of on overclocking policy, I would not overclock past what the driver detects the maximum clcoks to be in the driver control panel (with coobits enabled).

You can think of that value as being nVidia/manufacturer sanctioned (ie, they allow you to overclock by at least this much, subject to the risks and conditions outlined in the box that requries you to accept them). Any overclock over and above this would be at your own risk IMO.

 

[Powermoloch]

eeeee-veee-geee-aye

 

[johnnqq]

Originally posted by: Gstanfor
As a general rule in the absence of on overclocking policy, I would not overclock past what the driver detects the maximum clcoks to be in the driver control panel (with coobits enabled).

You can think of that value as being nVidia/manufacturer sanctioned (ie, they allow you to overclock by at least this much, subject to the risks and conditions outlined in the box that requries you to accept them). Any overclock over and above this would be at your own risk IMO.

does it ever detect "too much" of an overclock? what exactly is the evga policy for overclocking? evga.com is such a small site i couldn't even find it.

 

[Gstanfor]

It shouldn't detect too much of an overclock, I always back of a bit anyway. My Leadtek detects 420 core, 1.13ghz memory, but I run @ 410, 1.1ghz anyway.

I don't deal much with eVGA (like BFG, they have only had a small australian presence until recently), I don't think Leadtek actually has an overclocking policy. In situations like these, common sense and what the drivers allow are what guides me.

 

[Hikari]

Its not like there is an eprom on it that records what you do and reports back to them, so I'd not worry about it.

 

[johnnqq]

so what exactly is the policy for evga? if i break the card and it's my fault...do i get another? i think i'm gonna go with the xfx. far cry looks like more fun that call of duty 2.