eVGA SSC, A1, A3 Models?

[Madruk]

I've been browsing eVGA's 8800GT models and I'm confused as to what these mean. What's the difference between an A1 and A3 model? SSC has something to do with being overclocked right?

 

[badnewcastle]

I think it has something to do with the warranty.

 

[manimal]

Check the clock speeds, thats the main differentiators.

 

[Syntax Error]

Normal EVGA 8800GT: 600 core/900 memory
EVGA 8800GT SC: 625? core / 925 memory
EVGA 8800GT KO: 650 core / 950 memory
EVGA8800GT SSC: 700 core / 1000 memory

Just buy the normal 8800GT and overclock it yourself...I'm at 725/1000 with some fan tweaks on RivaTuner.

 

[programmer]

From what I've seen, A1 models include Quake Wars and A3 models include Crysis. Not sure if that is always the case, just something I've noticed.

 

[Hauk]

Originally posted by: programmer
From what I've seen, A1 models include Quake Wars and A3 models include Crysis. Not sure if that is always the case, just something I've noticed.

Yep I think that's the difference...

 

[stapuft]

Originally posted by: programmer
From what I've seen, A1 models include Quake Wars and A3 models include Crysis. Not sure if that is always the case, just something I've noticed.

QFT

-AR is no game

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: Syntax Error
Normal EVGA 8800GT: 600 core/900 memory
EVGA 8800GT SC: 625? core / 925 memory
EVGA 8800GT KO: 650 core / 950 memory
EVGA8800GT SSC: 700 core / 1000 memory

Just buy the normal 8800GT and overclock it yourself...I'm at 725/1000 with some fan tweaks on RivaTuner.

Actually its like this:
Normal EVGA 8800GT: 600 core/900 memory
EVGA 8800GT SC: 650 core / 925 memory
EVGA 8800GT KO: 675 core / 950 memory
EVGA8800GT SSC: 700 core / 1000 memory

I left the memory figures unchanged but are you sure they are right? Well, its probably the CORE memery cause from what I remember the normal is 1800 and the SSC is 2000. So its twice what you said, with the way DDR works it is completely valid for you to list the basic and not multiplied speeds.

Anyways, eVGA warranty DOES cover overclocking damage, and they use the exact same cooling on all cards.

So it makes most sense to buy a regular card and OC it to SSC speeds. At worse it turns out they bin them AND you got a lower binned one that can't OC to SSC but to KO speeds only.
even if they DO bin them, due to demand for non overclocked cards and lots of chips performing well they might sell a card that COULD OC to SSC speeds as a regular.

And some people reported getting the SC version of the card in a non oced box... But this is just a packaging error that works to their advantage.

 

[chizow]

It could also specify the cooler type used, since the GT fan was updated to a larger one identical to the ones found on the G80 and probably the G92 GTS.

It could also be an updated core revision, as the A2/A3 designations seem to indicate the actual core revisions for G80 parts (GTX/Ultra etc).

Bottom-line is if that you had a choice for the same money, you're probably better off going with A3 over A1.

 

[bryanW1995]

they should have introduced it with that fan in the first place!

 

[stapuft]

Originally posted by: chizow
It could also specify the cooler type used, since the GT fan was updated to a larger one identical to the ones found on the G80 and probably the G92 GTS.

It could also be an updated core revision, as the A2/A3 designations seem to indicate the actual core revisions for G80 parts (GTX/Ultra etc).

Bottom-line is if that you had a choice for the same money, you're probably better off going with A3 over A1.

Called EVGA: -A1, -A3, -AR is only what game it's packed with. End of story.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: stapuft

Originally posted by: chizow
It could also specify the cooler type used, since the GT fan was updated to a larger one identical to the ones found on the G80 and probably the G92 GTS.

It could also be an updated core revision, as the A2/A3 designations seem to indicate the actual core revisions for G80 parts (GTX/Ultra etc).

Bottom-line is if that you had a choice for the same money, you're probably better off going with A3 over A1.

Called EVGA: -A1, -A3, -AR is only what game it's packed with. End of story.

Except its really not that simple. Their SKUs may be used for ID'ing what's in their bundle, however, it also indicates when the card was made and packed. Like anything else in this industry, production dates are important (look at anything from Xbox to CPUs to LCDs). If a company packs a card with an older game, then switches to a newer one, chances are the newer one will have the newer parts.

In the case of the 8800GTs, this has added significance since the stock fans were upgraded. Logically, first-run cards with QW:ET (A1) will have the old fan as well as an older production date. Second-run cards with Crysis (A3) will have a *chance* at the updated fan along with a later production date.

We're already seeing some of the impact of the production dates and cooling with the G92 GTS. Early reports shows its able to hit significantly higher clock speeds which could be the result of better cooling, higher quality PCB/components and a later production run. Same was true for the G80 with the transition from A2 to A3.

As seen here, there is already a difference in the part # and mfg dates for the two cores:

G92 GT Core

G92 GTS Core

So in summary, you are still better off going with an A3 over an A1 with price being equal.

 

[stapuft]

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: stapuft

Originally posted by: chizow
It could also specify the cooler type used, since the GT fan was updated to a larger one identical to the ones found on the G80 and probably the G92 GTS.

It could also be an updated core revision, as the A2/A3 designations seem to indicate the actual core revisions for G80 parts (GTX/Ultra etc).

Bottom-line is if that you had a choice for the same money, you're probably better off going with A3 over A1.

Called EVGA: -A1, -A3, -AR is only what game it's packed with. End of story.

Except its really not that simple. Their SKUs may be used for ID'ing what's in their bundle, however, it also indicates when the card was made and packed. Like anything else in this industry, production dates are important (look at anything from Xbox to CPUs to LCDs). If a company packs a card with an older game, then switches to a newer one, chances are the newer one will have the newer parts.

In the case of the 8800GTs, this has added significance since the stock fans were upgraded. Logically, first-run cards with QW:ET (A1) will have the old fan as well as an older production date. Second-run cards with Crysis (A3) will have a *chance* at the updated fan along with a later production date.

We're already seeing some of the impact of the production dates and cooling with the G92 GTS. Early reports shows its able to hit significantly higher clock speeds which could be the result of better cooling, higher quality PCB/components and a later production run. Same was true for the G80 with the transition from A2 to A3.

As seen here, there is already a difference in the part # and mfg dates for the two cores:

G92 GT Core

G92 GTS Core

So in summary, you are still better off going with an A3 over an A1 with price being equal.

We're talking current 8800GT offerings here BTW. If the G80 had some other coding then that's good info. I asked specifically about the 8800GT.

 

[requiem1]

It is just the game you get with the video card.

A3 = Crysis
A1 = Enemy Territory's: WQuake Wars