BFG GeForce GTX 280 OCX review - 3 - BFG GeForce GTX 280 1024 MB OCX

BFG GeForce GTX 280 1024 MB OCX

Alright then, let's talk business. The OCX card that BFG released looks, feels and actually smells 100% reference based. It's a bit different though, as these OCX models passed the most extreme testing, ensuring they can manage the high clocks stable enough. So on the outside they all look pretty much the same. Yet the OCX version has undergone a pretty stringent quality analysis test, and had to pass that test to fulfill it's dream destiny .. being labeled as "the One".

Let's first peek at the faster clock speeds:

GeForce GTX 280 reference clocks

• Core 602 MHz
• Shader processors 1296 MHz
• Memory 2106 MHz effective

GeForce GTX 280 BFG OC edition

• Core 666 MHz
• Shader processors 1458 MHz
• Memory 2376 MHz effective

That's actually a very significant overclock for this high-end product. It's pretty funny to notice the core domain to be clocked at 666 MHz, dark matter for sure.

As our tests will show, it's definitely faster than the reference product. However, this already is the fastest single-GPU based graphics card on the globe, and as history has proven, overclocking them helps only a bit. Obviously BFG will sweeten the deal with some additional goodies.

Packaging and Accessories then, included in the box thy shall find:

• GeForce GTX 280 1024 MB OCX model
• Driver CD
• HDTV block (3-way RCA component)
• 6-pin to Molex power cable
• manual / quick install guide
• VGA->DVI dongle
• HDMI adapter
• HDMI cable
• SP/DIF cable
• Dual 6-pin to 8-pin converter

Hey cool stuff, BFG also includes a dual 6-pin to 8-pin converter. So if your PSU does not have an PCIe 8-pin connector, but does have three 6-pin connectors .. you are covered. Not only is a HDMI adapter included, also a HDMI cable. Great stuff. Also included is a small SP/DIF cable. You hook it up to your mainboard/soundcard SPDIF lead, then connect the wire to the SP-DIF input on the card and now you'll have multi-channel audio over HDMI HDCP v1.3 connection we just made.

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
Though chances are that you will not use this option on a 450 USD costing product, BFG recently introduced a Trade-Up styled after eVGA. 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. This is a new policy recently introduced.