What's up with "rev.2", "rev.3"... models?

[sheh]

Any idea what's usually different in card models that have multiple revisions?

Take these Gigabyte GTX 650 Ti models for example:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4380#sp
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5170#sp

The specs reveal nothing.

 

[StrangerGuy]

If their recent B85 mobo revised editions is of any indications the later versions are there to cut corners with the power delivery. This is just an educated guess since the none of the pics have a full clear shot at the PCB.

 

[Temuka]

it's the iteration of GPU that you're running. In hardware development, there are two types of "revs" (or revisions): X-revs and A-revs. X-revs are the development or prototype iterations, while A-revs are "production" versions. A higher number signifies a later iteration.

 

[Kenmitch]

Any idea what's usually different in card models that have multiple revisions?

Take these Gigabyte GTX 650 Ti models for example:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4380#sp
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5170#sp

The specs reveal nothing.

I guess if you look past the dimensions

 

[psolord]

A while back I got two Gigabyte Windforce 3 7950s rev 2, which ended up being voltage locked, lol.

The good thing is that they came with 1Ghz stock clock, but I missed out on my max clocks going above 1.1Ghz, while others are hitting 1.2 - 1.25.

 

[sheh]

I guess if you look past the dimensions

Good catch. They didn't bother changing the photo. But I wonder about more substantial/functional differences, if there are any. A 1cm length difference isn't going to matter to most people.

But this card is just an example. Manufacturers tend to do these secretive revisions, and while in many cases they bother having dedicated pages for each, there's never an explicit "change log".

 

[NTMBK]

Get good reviews on Rev 1, then cut corners to boost profit on Rev2 and Rev3 that will never get re-reviewed.

 

[Kenmitch]

Get good reviews on Rev 1, then cut corners to boost profit on Rev2 and Rev3 that will never get re-reviewed.

Your theory could be a valid one

When you think about it a lot of things can cause the jump from Rev X to Rev Y

Component X in Rev 1.0 is no longer available or in very short supply.

Newer more efficient components may have become available.

Rev 1.0 had what was to be found a high rma rate

The process matured decreasing the power requirement.

Graphic memory chip size increased allowing the use of 4 chips instead of 8 for less money.

Adding a HDMI or Display port connector.

The list could be endless.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Get good reviews on Rev 1, then cut corners to boost profit on Rev2 and Rev3 that will never get re-reviewed.

This begs the question: If Rev1 is designed just for reviewers to OC sky high and we get cut down versions that don't OC as well, is it still ethical? Or cutting power phases of mobos while still guaranteeing compatibility to CPUs at stock. Technically they aren't underselling us anything since OCing isn't guaranteed feature.

Stuff like Kingston bait-and-switch SSDs or GB cutting even a minor feature like DualBIOS out from later revisions is well over the line though.

 

[sheh]

It's all fine if they'd explicitly specify the changes.

 

[redzo]

No manufacturer specifies the changes ever. Mostly, I think that the changes are economical(more profit due to design tweaks and product components model/availability), unless they severely screw up a revision.(motherboards included)

I don't think that anybody knows what different rev's actually mean. From a blind consumer's point of view, higher rev numbers should be "better" because of the fact that that they are higher, but I highly doubt that there aren't other factors involved(like cutting manufacturing costs with component suppliers).

I remember hearing something from an Asus engineer that they prefer working harder on a product so that they do not have to release that many revisions but I highly question his statement simply because a manufacturer can release different rev's of a product without the consumer even being aware of that fact.

 

[sheh]

If they don't intend on making the changes public, why bother creating multiple product pages on their site?

In motherboards my impression is that newer revisions are usually better. More CPUs supported, more voltage options, etc.

 

[tential]

If they don't intend on making the changes public, why bother creating multiple product pages on their site?

In motherboards my impression is that newer revisions are usually better. More CPUs supported, more voltage options, etc.

Legal standpoint possibly