9800 GX2 overclocked editions

[Static EMP]

As of April 3rd, EVGA released three new overclocked editions of the 9800 GX2. In order from slowest to fastest: KO, SC, and SSC.

I just got a 9800 GX2, and figure I can step-up to one of these. Are they worth it? Is overclocking the graphics card gonna have a dramatic increase in performance? Or is it just a marketing scheme?

The Black Pearl will be even faster but does anyone know when that is coming out?

 

[adairusmc]

Why not just overclock the one you have to SSC levels and be done with it?

I have pushed my regular evga GX2 beyond any of those, and it works great. Nice overclocker.

 

[Static EMP]

That was gonna be my next question. Can't you just overclock graphics cards yourself? Or are the overclocked out of the box different (maybe better cooling) so it's safer to run at that clock speed?

 

[adairusmc]

I dont know about the black pearl, but the other three appeared to me to have the same cooling system (I just got my card this week). Newegg had the KO, SC, and the SSC in stock, but I went with the vanilla. The temps are not bad with that stock cooler with mine overclocked (compared to the temps at stock settings). You can overclock the card yourself just fine, either in the driver or with RivaTuner (my preference).

 

[nitromullet]

You might not be able to step up to OCed cards...

What products will EVGA make available to the Step-Up Program?

* EVGA will only release EGS (EVGA Genuine Spec) versions of its products, NVIDIA reference spec and clock, to the step-up program.
* Products that have been pre-configured with higher clock speeds will be released based on yield rates and in limited quantities and on a first come first ship bases.
* Products known to have limited availability will not be made available to the Step-Up Program. (Limited availability determined by EVGA production.)

 

[ashishmishra]

Originally posted by: Static EMP
That was gonna be my next question. Can't you just overclock graphics cards yourself? Or are the overclocked out of the box different (maybe better cooling) so it's safer to run at that clock speed?

Yes, you can overclock graphic cards yourself perfectly well. Download the latest Rivatuner and overclock you card using it. To answer your second question Overclocked editions (at least the 9800GX2's) aren't any different from the stock 9800GX2 except the higher clocks in their bios. Also EVGA's warranty covers damage due to end user overclocking. So go ahead and clock your card up. You can see the clocks I've managed in my sig.

 

[Rubycon]

I thought it was standard for the enthusiast once max stable OC was found to break out the BIOS editor and modify tables to reflect mem/core values? I made lots of PNY 6800GT's into Ultras back in the day. :Q

 

[imported_Shaq]

The SC, KO and even the SSC aren't OC'd much at all. The SSC is only 675/2100. Pretty much all of them should do that if you OC it yourself. The EVGA warranty covers overclocking. Mine is at 713/2200 and that is one of the lowest that I've seen in forum sigs and online reviews.

 

[taltamir]

SC, KO, and SSC are minor overclocks that almost any card should achive. And its not like they test it, if it was overclocked too hard you will get a "DOA" card, which is actually fine if ran at a stock speed, but just can't OC that much. Just buy a regular non OC and OC it yourself. Considering the 9800 is just a heavily oced 8800GTS 512 I would be weary about Ocing it further. (it is at the point where its power and heat goes up by a lot more then the speed does for every percent incremented)

The black pearls are done by testing. eVGA has a sauna room where they literally have technicians plug in cards, OC them to black pearl level, test them, and the ones that pass get a black pearl sticker and sold as such, the rest are set back to stock speeds and sold as that.

 

[gamerxx13]

hey, i saw your forum online. what program did you use to overclock your card?

 

[trOver]

Originally posted by: gamerxx13
hey, i saw your forum online. what program did you use to overclock your card?

most people use rivatuner

 

[Rubycon]

I used NiBiTor.