What's the diff b/t a regular videocard and a "Golden Sample"

[MichaelD]

Been checking prices on the Gainward GF3 VIVO. Atacom.com has two different prices listed. The higher priced one is labled "Golden Sample" The snip below is directly off the Atacom website. I'm guessing that Golden Sample card has some really high-yield memory on it and has been verified as a good overclocking card? What's the deal?


CARDEXPERT NVIDIA GEFORCE3 64 MB 4XAGP W/ VIDEO IN-OUT/DVI $344.00
GAINWARD GEFORCE3 64 MB 4XAGP W/ VIDEO IN-OUT/DVI(GOLDEN SAMPLE) $359.95

 

[igowerf]

Golden Sample is either clocked higher or is capable of overclocking higher, I believe.

 

[joeryu]

i want to know also, cuase i have been seeing the same thing looking for that same gainward card...

 

[datallah]

I agree with what people have been saying...

But i have a very serious recommendation. Don't buy from ATACOM! Even if it costs you a few extra bucks, go for somewhere else. I had them lose a package that I RMA'd back to them, even after i got the proof of delivery from UPS they wouldn't acknowledge it (i talked to their customer service, even the manager and the company VP) and eventually i had to dispute the charges on my mastercard to get my money back.

 

[MichaelD]

Datallah,

I was prolly going to buy from someone else anyway, as Atacom's shipping charges are usurious! $40 for UPS overnight? $30 for THIRD day shipping? You've gotta be outta yo' mind! I'll pay $5 more for the card and $15 less for shipping elsewhere. Ten bucks is ten bucks. I don't know if I trust this "Golden Sample" stuff anyway. Sounds to me like someone hotrodded the card to the max, ran 3Dmark on it one time and claimed the card "The Man". I think I'll stick with the "little" GF3!

 

[datallah]

If you are really into OCing.. the golden sample might be worth the addl. $15, otherwise go for the plain... i would go for the plain but i know people who just OC for the hell of it (and b/c they dont have anything else to do with their lives hehe) and they would go for the golden sample.

 

[LXi]

The Golden Sample stuff is from Gainward, not Atacom. They hand picked the better overclockers and put them in the Golden Sample boxes, you dont have to trust them, then again, you dont have to trust anything any manufacturer claims, but I dont think Gainward is trying to trick anybody here.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks much everyone. I haven't seen any other reseller besides Atacom selling the Golden Sample cards. I'm not a big videocard OC'er...I'll stick w/the regular one.