Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question

Why Do Some GTX 680's Have Two 6-Pin And Others Have A 6-Pin And An 8-Pin Connector?

Tags:
  • Graphics Cards
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
Share
May 30, 2013 9:10:09 AM

Why do some GTX 680 2GB Cards have two 6-pin power connectors and other have a 6-pin and an 8-pin power connector? Does the one with the 6-pin and 8-pin power connectors perform better as a result? Can it therefore overclock better or something, or is it just marketing? Thanks for the help and clarification in this matter.

More about : gtx 680 pin pin pin connector

a b U Graphics card
May 30, 2013 9:26:03 AM

The difference is one of industrial design. OEMs have the option to either follow the reference design or tweak the PCB to alter the standard. The basic GPU is uniform, but everything from the PCB to the cooling to the power connections can be altered for specific goals. Some OEMs bin the parts to produce higher processor and RAM speeds, some add different coolers to have their chips run cooler, etc. The choice of an 8 pin design vs. a 6 pin can be made for various reasons, but the TDP (total wattage) is uniform for all chips compliant with the standard set by Nvidia for the GTX 680.
m
0
l
May 30, 2013 9:44:26 AM

I am basically asking because an MSI Twin Frozr model has a 6-pin and an 8-pin and a Zotac 680, Reference model has two 6-pins. Will the MSI one be able to overclock higher or perform better as a result?
m
0
l
Related resources
May 30, 2013 9:45:40 AM

I can get the Zotac for $344 and the MSI for $399.
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
June 1, 2013 9:40:36 AM

The OCing of the two cards will be similar. The issue is who better bins their parts. If you find reviews that compare the two you might be able to differentiate them, but short of that OCing is very specific to the individual part. MSI has a somewhat better rep than Zotac, but not $55 worth for the same GPU. That being said, I prefer the MSI design because it provides a better cooled card, and probably better OCing as well.
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
June 1, 2013 9:42:42 AM

And if it were me, rather than the MSI GTX 680 I'd get a GTX 770 (which is basically the same GPU that has been binned better than the GTX 680) for $400.
m
0
l
!