Factory OC'd GTX 260, safe/worth it?

[Stevedroid]

First, I know some of you might say I'm an idiot for considering a GTX 260 over a HD 4870 (though less on this forum than the other one I frequent ;) ). I know, I know; if that's all you're going to say, don't bother. Otherwise just pretend that card doesn't exist and bear with me here.

My only experience with factory overclocked card was an XFX 7900GT, which was pushed way too high and overheated all the time. Though this wasn't specific to XFX of course, some of you may remember there was a pretty big debacle with the 7900GTs. In a race to one-up another the manufacturers were much too careless with their clocks and the cards were frying right and left.

So, as a result of that experience, I'm very hesitant to buy anything that's factory overclocked.

However, I was looking at the GTX 260's and for $10 more eVGA has a card that's at 602/2052 vs (576/2000 standard) which isn't that big an overclock. I know some of you are saying for $10 just get a standard clocked card and flash it, but I don't want to mess around with flashing, it wouldn't be warrantied, and I don't have a floppy drive ;). Plus $10 is more than I pay for lunch most days, so that's not a big deal.

When I say worth it, I don't mean the additional cost. What I mean is: do you think the additional performance is worth the additional risk? Do you think the card is completely safe at those clocks, or should I just go for a standard clocked card?

[Revs]

Go for it! :D I suggest the Zotac GTX260 AMP! if you want a factory OC'd card. It'll cope with 700/1400/1100 fine.

[Tr1cK]

So why not go for the 4870? Out of stock? Better price on the 260?

I won't bash you, just don't understand the reasoning.

[Stevedroid]

Out of stock, and mostly brand loyalty.

I know brand loyalty is irrational, but the worst video card I ever bought, in terms of my experience with it and what I got for the price, was an ATI video card (specifically an All-In-Wonder X800). I know the HD 4870 is pretty much the opposite of that, but right now I just feel more comfortable buying an nVidia card. I'm not claiming it's a rational decision, but it's what I want.

The out of stock thing is still pertinent though. I do sort of need to get a new card now, because I already promised my 8800GTX to someone next week.

[azanon]

My theory (which I didn't think of until after I ordered my stock eVGA 260) is to buy a vanilla 260 from a company that's not speed binning/selling overclocked 260s. My guess is the companies that are, are selling the ones that overclock better at the higher prices/higher speeds. But offbrands (like MSI?), are just selling all their cards at default clock, so there's a better chance of getting one that overclocks better at the regular $399 price.

[azanon]

However, I was looking at the GTX 260's and for $10 more eVGA has a card that's at 602/2052 vs (576/2000 standard) which isn't that big an overclock. I know some of you are saying for $10 just get a standard clocked card and flash it, but I don't want to mess around with flashing, it wouldn't be warrantied, and I don't have a floppy drive ;). Plus $10 is more than I pay for lunch most days, so that's not a big deal.

Flash it?!? Why so drastic/warranty voiding measures?

Why not just use Rivatuner, set to load at windows startup?

I bet 100% of the 260s will do 602/2052.

[Stevedroid]

Flash it?!? Why so drastic/warranty voiding measures?

Why not just use Rivatuner, set to load at windows startup?

I bet 100% of the 260s will do 602/2052.
I'm running Vista 64bit. I thought the software overclocking didn't work in 64bit, or is that specifically nTune that doesn't work in 64bit?

In any case, if the card will safely do those clocks, I have no problem paying $10 to have official support at those clocks and not to have to bother reseting them every time I reinstall drivers or whatever.

[Roliath]

Why not use, EVGA Precision that comes with the Card and overclock using that program?

[Nanoch]

I got a Point of View GTX260 and it does 700/1200 easy, haven't tried higher because temps are high in my room and inside computer.

As azanon mentionned, I'm also sure that companies that sell factory overclocked cards charge a premium for the cards that originally clock higher and sell the bad ones as normal cards. Who knows maybe they even pay less for the lower clocking ones...

Is it far fetched to imagine that Evga, BFG, etc, do not even test the cards but receive pre-tested cards at different prices depending on performance? I would not be surprised that something like this is taking place. The cards are all manufactured at the same place aren't they? it's easy for the original manufacturer in Asia to test the cards potential since he has to test all the cards after manufacturing anyway.

A simple Vmod can make miracles on a bad clocking card too.

[Blacklash]

I tried AoC tonight with the same settings I was using on my GTX 280 with an 8800GT (700|2000) @ 1920x minus AA and it could run it @ 34-56FPS in Khopshef. I am returning/refunding the GTX 280 and getting an XFX GTX 260. I ordered the 260 tonight and am shipping out the 280 tomorrow.

The 260 should allow me to start using AA again over the GT and inflate FPS a bit.

For the record the settings were bloom on, shadows all enabled, ground quality distance max, all the other distance and details sliders were max except grass, which I kept at 50%.

Look here for a comparison of a GTX 280 @ 700 on the core and a GTX 260 @ 640 on the core-

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1480/xfx_geforce_gtx_260_xxx_edition/index.html

If you play 1920x and under you'll never feel the difference.

[Ninja Prime]

As I recall, Chrisray(aka works for nvidia) says the 260's run even hotter than the 280's, so overclocked version might not be such a good idea. Then again as long as you get a factory overclocked one you can always RMA it.

[Nanoch]

My GTX260 has normal temperatures for a GT2xx card. All the graphic cards run at stupid high temperatures nowadays anyway, the only way to keep them cool is watercool them.

What difference does it make if you are running a normal card overclocked or a factory card overclocked? the components are exactly the same with the same safety margins built into them. Nvidia provides the tools to overclock the cards and the manufacturers let you use them, so they know you are doing it.

A warranty is a warranty and as long as you are not flashing the bios or taking the card apart you are entitled to it.

[Revs]

As I recall, Chrisray(aka works for nvidia) says the 260's run even hotter than the 280's, so overclocked version might not be such a good idea. Then again as long as you get a factory overclocked one you can always RMA it.

Running nice and cool here. With OC (see sig) and fan at 55% my temps are about 40-45*C idle and 65-75*C under load. With fan at 100% the load temp drops to 60*C running FurMark. My room is about 23*C.

[Stevedroid]

Azanon and Nanoch make a good point about the speed binning. Are the mildly overclocked cards basically the "bad" ones that couldn't make it to the higher clocks? If they couldn't make it to the higher clocks, what are the chances that under less optimal conditions, e.g. a hot case, that they could overheat even at the mild overclock?

Here's the thing though, I really don't want to mess around with overclocking myself. I'm not a tweaker; I just want to install drivers and go, I don't want to spend time figuring out at what point the card is stable.

The card I'm looking at has a very mild overclock (602/2052), so even if it's not the best, you'd think it should be ok at those clocks, unless the 260's are that close to tolerance at stock speed, but judging by the numbers some people here are running that doesn't appear to be the case.

Annoyingly though, due to price drops, there's now a $20 difference between the standard clocked cards and the 602/2052. I'll still have to think about it a bit more, but I've got to make a decision soon.

[Revs]

I doubt very much each and every card is tested for it's OC ability. They will just be tested to make sure they're functioning properly. That would explain how there are a crap load of over heating 280's about. They will have been tested and passed but not run for 30 mins on full load. Can you imagine how much that would cost a company to do. (EDIT: Probably not as much as all the RMA's :D)

What I do think will be true is that many, if not most, 260 chips will be 280 chips with a failed cluster (correct terminology?) of cores. If fact I would say the 280 range would not have been viable without selling some of the failed GPUs as 260's. nVIDIA will just be trying to claw some of the money lost by low yields. Like Intel did with P4's and Celerons, etc.

[Blacklash]

If you get one from XFX or Evga you can OC as much as you like without voiding your warranty. You may also replace your HSF and not void the warranty.

If you want a guaranteed OC grab one from Evga or XFX that is factory overclocked. XFX has an OCed card that is @ 640 out the box for 405usd @ Newegg now-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150310

That card was put up against a GTX 280 @ 700 on the core here-

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1480/xfx_geforce_gtx_260_xxx_edition/index.html

A GTX 260 @ around 640 on the core should be enough card for most folks. The one [H]ard tested did 675 with zero issues. Firingsquad got one that went all the way to 712.

It is luck of the draw and I doubt there are a lot of cards out there that won't do 640. nVidia often releases cards at lower clocks first them ramps them up later.

You can always go SLi later too. GTX 260s might be below 350 or less by then.

[Revs]

I haven't seen any GTX260 that won't do the OC my cards are at (700/1400/1200). My max (FurMark stable) OC was 740/1480/1280 with the fan on 100%.