3 - BFG GeForce GTX 260 OCX MaxCORE

BFG GeForce GTX 260 OCX MaxCORE

The board we are testing today was a bit rushed to us, so it's still missing the final stickers etc, but we thank BFG for the fast delivery on launch date. BFG as well is launching a GeForce GTX 260 with 216 Cores graphics card. As you guys are aware of, BFG has lately been focusing more and more on their pre-overclocked products, and admittedly their speedbin has increased heaps meaning that at launch they already have cards in (to some degree) volume available.

Today we'll have an exclusive to show you, as this is the BFG GeForce GTX 260 OCX MaxCore model. Obviously the candy is mentioned in the name already, OCX is overclocking extreme and MaxCORE refers to the additional Shader cluster inside the GPU of this graphics card.

With that in mind let's talk dirty for a second. The GTX 260 and Core 216 versions have 576MHz GPU, 1242 MHz Shaders cores, 999 MHz memory (GDDR3).

Now here's the thing, this OCX MaxCORE version is clocked much higher, at a privileged 648 MHz GPU frequency, 1404 MHz on the shader domain and 1134 MHz (2268 MHz effective) on that GDDR3 memory. These are intensely higher clocks all throughout the board. You'll agree with me, very respectable. Or as Elmer Fudd would say: "vewy wespectawel".

BFG will release three new models though, we test the fastest part. But here is an overview.

BFG GeForce GTX 260 OC MAXCORE

• Memory: 896MB GDDR3
• Core Clock: 590MHz (vs. 576MHz standard)
• Shader Clock: 1296MHz (vs. 1242MHz standard)
• Memory Data Rate: 1998MHz
• Processor Cores: 216 (vs. 192 standard)

BFG GeForce GTX 260 OC2 MAXCORE

• Memory: 896MB GDDR3
• Core Clock: 630MHz (vs. 576MHz standard)
• Shader Clock: 1350MHz (vs. 1242MHz standard)
• Memory Data Rate: 2126MHz (vs. 1998MHz standard)
• Processor Cores: 216 (vs. 192 standard)

BFG GeForce GTX 260 OCX MAXCORE (tested today)

• Memory: 896MB GDDR3
• Core Clock: 648MHz (vs. 576MHz standard)
• Shader Clock: 1404MHz (vs. 1242MHz standard)
• Memory Data Rate: 2250MHz (vs. 1998MHz standard)
• Processor Cores: 216 (vs. 192 standard)

As our tests will show, it's definitely a good amount faster than the reference product. Obviously BFG will sweeten the deal with some additional goodies. Let's have a look at the boxed bundle.

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

• GeForce GTX 260 896MB OCX MaxCORE model
• Driver CD
• HDTV block (3-way RCA component)
• 6-pin to Molex power cable
• manual / quick install guide
• VGA->DVI dongle
• HDMI adapter
• SP/DIF cable
• 6-pin to 8-pin converter

Pretty okay bundle really, also the HDMI adapter AND 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 the HDMI HDCP v1.3 connection we just made. Other than that, though not physically in the box, the after sales in the form of warranty and step up program.

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 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.

Note: the final version of the board as tested today. Ours did not yet have the stickers -- photo courtesy of BFG Tech