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What is up with graphics card brands? Help understanding Reference cards and overclocking

Tags:
  • Overclocking
  • Graphics Cards
  • AMD
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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July 20, 2014 9:38:51 PM

I'm looking into getting a new graphics card. I have built several computers over the years and understand the basics pretty well. I know there is a big difference from one vendor to another with respect to motherboards. Asus, gagabyte and AsRock have very friendly programs and Bios interface. With graphics cards, what is really different?

You have the "reference card," which I understand is the basic hardware and sets the base line for the product. But each vendor has different clocks for their cores, and the coolers are different.

Is there really anything different between cards from say, asus and sapphire, other then the cooler and the factory overclock?

I've been looking at getting a 280x and am comfortable with overclocking given how simple the software is. If the "clock" on different cards is just a difference of what each company starts off with, I'll go with a cheep sapphire and if the cooling isn't up to snuff, upgrade down the road when it becomes an issue. If, say asus, does have something to offer in their cards I do have the extra 40-50 to spend but why throw money down a hole?

Any light you can shed would be appreciated.

More about : graphics card brands understanding reference cards overclocking

a b K Overclocking
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July 20, 2014 9:41:57 PM

The differences in cards is in cooling, clock speeds, and PCBs.

Its a bit much to go into detail in general, but for the 280x is easier.

Sapphire has the best coolers for the 280x lineup, specifically the Toxic.
For GPUs cooling and voltage locking is the biggest factor.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Tri-X Toxic Video Card ($339.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $339.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
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