BFG GeForce 9600 GT OCX and 8800 GT OCX review

The BFG GeForce 8800 GT OCX

The 8800 GT is a product that replaced that somewhat handicapped 8800 320MB GTS, not only in performance but also in price. The silicon powering that this card is based on is NVIDIA's new 0.65nm silicon.The fabrication processed was moved from 90nm towards 65 nm, meaning a smaller die-size, likely resulting in lower core voltages, more energy efficiency and perhaps better clock speeds.

An interesting fact is that a GeForce 9800 GT was recently announced, which in fact is this 8800 GT, yet with a 55nm sized GPU.

Interesting about the 8800 GT is that there is an increased amount of shader processors; the GT has 112 activated Shader processors, but they are clocked more conservatively. Something the OCX version will solve for you ;)

This is the 512MB version. The reference memory clocks are 900 MHz (x2), the core frequency 600 MHz and for the freaks, the shader domain is clocked at 1512 MHz.

BFG's OCX offering is clocked at a 700 MHz core frequency, 1728 MHz Shader domain frequency and 1000 MHz memory clock (x2 effective).

This GPU also has the new VP2 (Video Processor 2) core embedded into the silicon. This means great Purevideo HD support in both acceleration of media files, yet also post-processing and enhancing them. Despite the new VP2, the unit hasn't evolved and still doesn't fully accelerate VC-1, no real big deal to be honest. HDMI support is also integrated on the chip. Also worth mentioning is that the 8800 GT is fully PCI-Express 2.0 compliant. Not at all important though as 16GB/sec bandwidth over PCI-Expess 2.0 is not something this card will even remotely use, ever. Due to the improved VP2 embedded core, optimizations to the new transistor count has risen a little. Don't be scared now, ready? 754 Million transistors.

Again we see a green reference based design card, yet with ram heatsinks and a ZeroTHERM cooling solution. Packaging and Accessories then, included in the box you'll find:

• GeForce 9600 GT OCX model
• Driver CD
• HDTV block (3-way RCA component)
• 6-pin to Molex power cable
• manual / quick install guide
• VGA->DVI dongle (x2)

We'll get into warranty and the tradeup program in a minute, first let's peek at the differences among the GPUs, and the OCX models in a nice orderly chart.

BFG's Warranty
BFG will intro this product overclocked for you at default. Yet high-end or not, it comes with the luxuries that they always offer. Inside the USA you'll receive a full life-time warranty, which is just a really nice feature. Outside the US you are limited to 10 years warranty; which is still bloody fantastic. Mind you that if you purchase a BFG product then please within 30 days register yourself at the BFG website in order to activate that warranty. This is a new policy recently introduced. Don't forget to do so.

Trade-Up program
BFG recently introduced a Trade-Up program. Up-to 100 days after the purchase of a new BFG graphics card you are eligible to trade in your graphics card for a newer model, you only pay the difference in cost.

Small side-note you need to be aware of, the value of the BFG graphics card you trade in will be based off of the pre-determined MSRP of the card in question at the time you apply for the trade-up so the value of your BFG product will probably be worth less after a few months.

Again mind you that if you purchase a BFG product then please within 30 days register yourself at the BFG website in order to activate that warranty & rights for the Trade-up program. As mentioned, this is a new policy recently introduced.

We'll slowly start up the actual test. First we'll look at power consumption, heat levels and noise. Then we'll show you a thing or two in our photo-shoot after which we'll obviously fire off the hottest games of 2008 at the cards to see if they can deliver what they're supposed to. Next page please.