![[H]ardOCP](/images/blank.gif){kind=small}
- Date:
- Tuesday , September 16, 2008
- Author:
- Mark Warner
- Editor:
- Brent Justice
- Google +1
BFGTech GeForce GTX 260 OCX MAXCORE
Today, BFGTech is launching its new and improved GeForce GTX 260 GPU based video cards. The new GeForce GTX 260 GPU benefits from 24 more stream processors, but maintains the same clocks. BFGTech has ramped up the clock speeds in OCX fashion. We evaluate and compare to the original GTX 260 GPU and a Radeon HD 4870.
Introduction
The original NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 GPU was launched on June 16th of 2008. The first GeForce GTX 260 was manufactured on a 65nm process by TSMC, and contains about 1.4 billion transistors. It contains 192 streaming processors, 28 ROPs, and 896MB of GDDR3 memory on a 448-bit wide bus. These specifications have proven time and time again that the GeForce GTX 260 is a very capable video card for gaming, and has competed well with the competition, especially considering the value.
Lately, prices have been falling dramatically on NVIDIA GPU based video cards. You can now find the original GeForce GTX 260 for as low as $209.99 after rebates. That is a very substantial $189 price drop from the original asking price of $399 as set by NVIDIA at launch. These latest pricings and performance of the original GeForce GTX 260 have earned video cards based on this GPU Silver [H] Editor’s Choice awards due to these fantastic values. As good as it already is, the GeForce GTX 260 is receiving an upgrade to hopefully make your gameplay experience even better.
The New GeForce GTX 260
Being driven by NVIDIA’s partners today, in a move startlingly similar to the old GeForce 8800 GTS 640/320 GPU to 512MB GPU, NVIDIA’s partners are launching a new GeForce GTX 260 GPU to supplement, not replace, (Updated 09/18/2008 - See News Post HERE with Explanation) the existing model. There are two big changes in this new GPU, first there are 24 more streaming processors enabled for a total of 216, and second there are now 72 texture units onboard. That is all that has changed. The GPU is still based on a 65nm manufacturing process.* The GPU core still has an NVIDIA recommended clock speed of 576MHz, the streaming processors at 1242MHz, and the 896MB of GDDR3 still runs at 1.998MHz; these are the same clock speeds as the original GeForce GTX 260.
So from a gaming perspective, the only added feature that will affect performance right out is the addition of 24 more streaming processors and added texture units. This new GPU fits exactly in between the original GTX 260 design and the GTX 280. Without an accompanying increase in clock speeds this new GPU will be relying solely on its enhanced shader power to give it a performance boost.
*Originally, we had stated the new GTX 260 was 55nm as told to us by BFGTech. This has proven to be innacurate. BFGTech's Associate Product Manager had this to say: "Sorry about the confusion this may or will create, but the GTX 260 “MAXCORE” product from us does in fact feature a GPU made using 65nm process technology. No D10U GPU to date has been 55nm." So the new GTX 260 is still 65nm, even though it has more streaming processors and more texture units.
BFGTech GeForce GTX 260 OCX MAXCORE
BFGTech is now offering three new models of video cards based on this new GTX 260 GPU. All three of these models are overclocked by BFGTech; there will be an OC model, an OC2 model and an OCX model. The OC model MSRP will be $299.99, the OC2 model MSRP will be $319.99 and the OCX model chimes in at $329.99 MSRP. The OC model will be clocked at 590MHz/1296MHz/1998MHz (core/shader/memory.) The OC2 model will be clocked at 630MHz/1350MHz/2126MHz (core/shader/memory.) Finally, the OCX model, which we are evaluating today, is described below.
Bearing the “OCX” branding, the BFGTech GeForce GTX 260 OCX MAXCORE represents BFG's highest stable level of overclocking on this updated GPU. BFGTech has raised the GPU core clock speed to 655MHz, the shaders to 1404MHz, and the memory to 2.25GHz DDR. Naturally, BFGTech’s OCX branding, with the highest overclocks, are set at a higher price than the others. BFGTech has set an MSRP of $329.99 USD for this OCX video card, which is a $30 increase over its basic OC version.
The video card we received came to us in a full etail package, but without the standard BFGTech branded stickers on the front and back faces of the video card since they were not ready when our sample was sent out. BFGTech relayed to us that the stickers were not ready in time for the video card to be shipped to us, so they sent along a rendered image of what this thing will look like when you guys and gals actually buy it. They also sent along a render of the B&M retail box.
The retail box is in the typical BFG style, featuring a magically endowed person. The sticker that you will find on the front of this video card in etail and retail features the same individual.
The etail box is similar to the retail box, but instead of having the mascot printed across the whole front of the carton, there is a decal applied with a smaller version of the artwork. The side of the box indicates system requirements, indicating that this video card requires no less than a 525 Watt power supply, with a 12v line that is capable of supplying 38 amps. The back of the box is standard as well, showcasing some of the video card's features, and the warranty terms in both English and French.
The accessory bundle includes a DVI to HDMI adaptor, a DVI to VGA adaptor, an S/PDIF cable, an HDTV output dongle, and a dual-Molex to 6-pin auxiliary power adaptor. The media bundle includes two 8.5x11" instruction sheets, one of which describes the use of the HDMI adaptor, while the other paper supplements the installation guide. The install guide itself is found stapled into the BFGTech branded folder, which also contains a driver CD-ROM, a pair of BFGTech case badge stickers, and an advertisement insert for BFGTech's range of power supplies. Finally, there is a bright yellow sheet describing the terms of this video card's limited lifetime warranty.
From the outside, this video card appears to be exactly the same as every other GeForce GTX 260 out there. It has the same glossy black plastic heat-sink shroud covering the video card completely. There is not a square millimeter of PCB visible on the front of this device.
This video card requires the use of two 6-pin auxiliary power connectors. One 6-pin power connector to two Molex-power connector adapters is included (shown above). The back side of the video card is also covered in a black plastic shroud, but it has vent slots through which some PCB surface is visible. For display connectivity, the BFGTech GeForce GTX 260 GTX MAXCORE sports 2 dual-link DVI-I connectors and a single HDTV output connector for use with the included component video dongle.
Questions
We have some burning questions to answer with this video card. First, is the new GTX 260 any better than the original GTX 260? Second, does it provide any real-world gameplay experience differences over a Radeon HD 4870? Third, is it worth it considering the original GTX 260 can be found much cheaper? (As low as $209.99 after MIR this morning. NVIDIA UMAP Pricing Applies.)
To expediently answer these questions, this evaluation will follow a slightly altered form and layout. We will first jump immediately into Apples-to-Apples comparisons. We will take the BFGTech GeForce GTX 260 OCX MAXCORE and compare it to an NVIDIA stock-speed "new" GeForce GTX 260 by downclocking the MAXCORE. We will then add an NVIDIA stock-speed "old" GeForce GTX 260. This way we can directly compare the "new" 260 to the "old" 260 and then to the MAXCORE OCX's clock speeds.
Then, we will compare the highest gameplay experience offered in Crysis, Age of Conan, Call of Duty 4, and GRID by the BFGTech GeForce GTX 260 OCX MAXCORE and the ATI Radeon HD 4870.