eVGA 7900GT or 7900GT-KO ~ for Overclocked System

[wwswimming]

well, i'm using the eVGA video card as an example, for a general question ... hope this is the right category to post in.

if you want to OC your SYSTEM, and have the video card cooperate by not crashing, or at least not being the "weak link in the chain" (over-clocking wise), is it better to use -

* a video card at stock speeds
* a video card that is itself overclocked
* a video card that was overclocked, that has been slowed down to stock speeds ?

again, my goal is not frame rates or getting the highest score on 3D Mark - just to have a fast & stable system for running 3D Studio Max.

here's the links for the eVGA cards

7900GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130028
450 & 1320 MHz, $262

7900GT KO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130016
580 & 1580 MHz, $290

7600GT CO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130283
580 & 1500 MHz, $170

7600GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130017
580 & 1500 MHz, $165

they all have $20 or $25 rebates BUT ... paperwork is not my strong suit.

the 7600GT CO looks to be getting the most rave reviews at Newegg.

 

[theMan]

if your overclock is stable, the video card doesnt effect anything. as long as your power supply can supply enough power to everything.

 

[Pens1566]

The KO you linked is actually the Superclock version, there is also a regular KO version that runs 500/1500 also.

 

[Fallengod]

Yeah, theres also some of the cards come with free HITMAN or HL2:EP1

 

[Duvie]

Unless you dont have a pci-express lock I dont see how and overclocked system will effect one card over the other. If the whole system has an unstable overclock you could have issues with a Nvidia 6200 card....

Now I can see one thing that could be related and that is an overclocked system may produce more cpu heat, ram heat, etc and a video card with inadequate cooling may not deal with hot case air...So if you are getting a souped up vid card to begin with then make sure cooling is high-end on it..no passive stuff or skimpy reference stock stuff...