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- Date:
- Tuesday , July 09, 2013
- Author:
- Grady McKinney
- Editor:
- Brent Justice
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GIGABYTE GTX 760 OC Version Video Card Review
Today we take an in depth look at GIGABYTE's GeForce GTX 760 OC Version video card (GV-N760OC-2GD). Outfitted with the WindForce 3X cooling design, and sporting a hefty factory overclock, this video card has our attention. We'll compare it to the competition with the GeForce GTX 660 Ti and Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition in today's latest games.
Introduction
GIGABYTE is a hardware manufacturer and one of the most respected PC component builders in the business today. The company was established in 1986 in Taipei, Taiwan, and is best known for its motherboards. Gigabyte has a vast product line, including motherboards, graphics cards, notebooks, LCDs, mobile devices, tablet computers, computer cases, and many other PC peripherals.
On our test bench today is the GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760 OC Version (GV-N760OC-2GD) revision 1.0 video card.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760
The GeForce GTX 760 is based on the same GK104 chip as the GeForce GTX 680 and GeForce GTX 670. It consists of 6 SMX units and 1,152 CUDA cores. It has 96 texture units and 32 ROPs. The default base clock of the GeForce GTX 760 is 980MHz with the boost clock defaulting to 1033MHz. In-game this frequency actually runs even higher. There are 2GB of GDDR5 memory with a frequency of 6008MHz, running on a 256-bit bus. This theoretically gives us a total memory bandwidth of 192.26 GB/s. The GeForce GTX 760's TDP is 170W.
The GeForce GTX 760 also supports GPU Boost 2.0. This changes the way that the boards frequencies work. Instead of keeping the frequency in a certain window based on power primarily, now the real-time frequency is based on temperature. The temperature target has been set at 80c, with a thermal threshold of 95c. Cooler temperatures yield higher real-time frequencies in-games. The GeForce GTX 760 requires 2, 6-pin PCIe power connectors from a recommended 500W or larger power supply. There is a Dual-Link DVI-I connector, a Dual-Link DVI-D connector, an HDMI connector and a DisplayPort connector.
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760 OC Version (GV-N760OC-2GD)
The GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760 OC Version ships with a base clock speed of 1085MHz and a boost clock of 1150MHz. The factory overclock has the GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760's base clock running 105MHz faster and boost clock running 117MHz faster compared to a reference GeForce GTX 760. There is 2GB of GDDR5 memory running at the default speed of 1502MHz (6GHz GDDR5). The GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760 OC Version has great potential for overclocking. With its WindForce 3X cooling, and GIGABYTE's OC Guru II overclocking utility, we will be pushing this video card to its limit.
Two Revisions
Just recently, GIGABYTE has released a revision 2.0 of this video card. We have the original revision 1.0 on our test-bench today, sent by GIGABYTE prior to the launch of the GeForce GTX 760. Since the launch, GIGABYTE has updated the video card to a revision 2.0 update. Note that both revisions have the exact same specifications, clock speeds, and sell for the exact same price of $259.
Revision 1.0, on the left, is printed on a lighter blue colored PCB, and has a smoother, rounder, and glossier WindForce 3X cooler housing. The revision 2.0 version on the right is printed on black PCB and has a less glossy fan housing. The housing is also not as smooth or rounded. We reached out to GIGABYTE for answers, and GIGABYTE's response is thus:
So literally the only difference is in the fan cover, one being plastic, the other metal. Therefore revision 1.0 will reflect the performance and overclocking potential of revision 2.0. As you will find out, that overclocking potential is very good.The only difference between them is the fan cover. Rev1.0 is plastic and Rev2.0 is metal. They both have the same exact spec. The Rev1.0 will phase out soon.
Features
The most standout feature when looking at the GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760 OC Version are the three fans. The fans roll in GIGABYTES WindForce 3X cooling system is to effectively exhaust large amounts of heat off of the board. There are 3, 8mm copper heat pipes that directly contact the GPU, and spread from the first heatsink over the GPU, and to a second heatsink that is elevated off the PCB and other components. The heatsink directly over the GPU also has a special triangle shape called "triangle cool." It allows for heat to be easily exhausted at an angle through the top and bottom of the video card, and not blow directly on the PCB.
The GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760 OC Version is also loaded down with tier 1 ultra durable VGA components. These high quality components assures a lower GPU temperature, and better power flow. With cooler temperatures and more efficient power usage we can expect to see better overclocking capability and more stability when overclocking. The ultra durable VGA components can also play a big role in extending a boards life.
The GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760 OC Version video card can be had for $259.99. GIGABYTE also offers a free 3 year limited parts and labor warranty with this video card. You can read more about the GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760 OC version (rev. 1.0)'s specifications and features here.
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760 OC Version Pictures
The GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760 OC Version accessory package includes a dual-Molex to 8-pin PCIe power connector and a dual-Molex to 6-pin PCIe power connector. It also includes a quick guide, and a driver installation CD which includes a user manual, and GIGABYTE OC Guru II. The GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760 OC Version itself comes well secured in foam inside of a second more durable box inside the display box.
The GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760 OC Version revision 1.0 is printed on a blue PCB, with a glossy black fan housing that runs the length of the board. There are three lightweight fans that can move a lot of air across the heatsink and off the board. The video card feels like a durable card, and is not very heavy.
The GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760 OC Version will require an 8-pin and 6-pin PCIe connector. The adapters are located at the back end of the video card along the top. GIGABYTE recommends having at least a 500W power supply in order for the GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760 OC Version to operate efficiently as intended. The rear I/O panel houses a dual-link DVI-I connector, a dual-link DVI-D connector, an HDMI connector and one DisplayPort connector. The GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760 OC Version measures 10 and 7/8th inches in length, 4.25 inches tall, and 1.5 inches wide. It will take up two slots in your case.
In this evaluation keep in mind these video card prices as we have based our comparisons on:
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 760 - $259
Reference GTX 760 - $249 (MSRP supplied by NVIDIA)
GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB – $244 to $299 for custom overclocked cards
Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition - $199 to $259 for custom overclocked cards