1 - Superclocked introduction

As you guys know NVIDIA recently introduced an updated GeForce GTX 260. The Core 216 version, obviously referring to the 216 shader processors that are active and crunching data for you in that GPU, which is 24 shader processors more than the regular GTX 260.

Now I'll leave the sketchy naming schema out of this review as much as I can, as honest to the one almighty, it's getting so confusing. NVIDIA really needs to do something about it. But see this product tested today as a mild update to the previous GeForce GTX 260, to compete better with team red's, the Radeon HD 4870.

See, that Radeon HD 4870 is a thorn in the green eyes of NVIDIA as pricing wise this thing just does wicked things. To adapt to ATI's strategy, the GeForce GTX 260 can now be purchased for the same price as the Radeon HD 4870. But in a lot of scenarios, the HD 4870 is simply a tad faster.
Therefore NVIDIA was seeking for some more performance in the GTX 260 series -- they needed to give it a little more bite. So NVIDIA unleashed its GeForce GTX 260 Core 216. And well, you are on Guru3D.com, where else do you need to be to get the latest lowdown and dirt on the new GPUs?

Now by itself, the extra shader processors offer merely a very tiny boost in performance. But what we learned from our initial review is that once you take a look at the slightly more expensive overclocked editions, that's where the money shot really is. Once the Shader processors are clocked higher, instantly the performance climbs up, close to GeForce GTX 280 performance. And at sub-300 USD, that's just not a bad deal.

Now this is why it's getting so confusing, we can all grasp a concept of more shaders in a product and name it Core 216 or Maxcore, but then the board partners make yet another 2 maybe three models of these products. Now that's not bad, but for you as a consumer though choice is good, a little hard to deal with.

EVGA will offer three Core 216 models:

• GeForce GTX 260 Core 216
• GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked
• GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 HC16 (water-cooled)

Why is it so bewildering ? Well, just have a look at EVGAs product page, there are now 8 different GeForce GTX 260 models available on the market today ... that's right; eight different SKUs -- Phew.

So without further ado let's talk you though the product we test today, EVGA's GeForce GTX 260, the updated Core 216 model, and then the Superclocked edition. Next page please.