I don't understand why the same graphics card has different looks and manufacturers

hoix · Jul 17, 2015

Hello Guys,

I'm thinking about upgrading my Graphics card (Currently xfx r9 280x) but my question is...

How come graphics cards with the same name have different manufactureres and looks? Are they the same card? Does it even matter which one you choose?

For example: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=geforce+gtx+970&sprefix=geforce+gtx+970%2Caps%2C304

Thanks

Jonathan Cave · Jul 17, 2015

AMD/NVIDIA licence 3rd party manufacturers to build custom PCB's and Fans / Water cooling for the GPU's architecture (it's brain!)

The Architecture is identical across all cards, however the PCB component positioning and the type of cooling solution varies which in 99% of the cases allows better cooling and more room for overclocking.

ubercake · Jul 17, 2015

The actual GPU is the same, but the way it's cooled may be different. Cards with more advanced cooling solutions can usually be overclocked more than those with the stock fan (though not always). Also, cards with more advanced cooling solutions (e.g more fans and larger heatsinks than on the standard version) are more likely to be factory overclocked which means the overclock they provide is covered by their warranty.

MarkW · Jul 17, 2015

AMD makes the chips. Their partners sell them. In most cases, the partners are allowed to create custom cooling solutions, sometimes can overclock the cards, and those kinds of things. Its called trying to offer cards to appeal to lots and lots of people.

Nvidia does exactly the same thing.

You cannot order a video card with just the AMD or just the Nvidia name brand on them. Both companies make the chips, and then sell them to their partners, who then sell them to the public.

hoix · Jul 17, 2015

aaaaah I understand now. So paying an extra 40 Pounds isn't really necessary as the only difference is temps, and overclock?

MarkW · Jul 17, 2015

Pretty much, yes.

Jonathan Cave · Jul 17, 2015

Hoix,

The overclock / temps are really beneficial if you want to overclock. otherwise you may as well buy the cheapest version of the card you can find if you dont plan to overclock.

hoix · Jul 17, 2015

Right thank you very much guys, Wish I could pick various as best solution. Will randomly select one of you

Search

I don't understand why the same graphics card has different looks and manufacturers

hoix

Honorable

Jonathan Cave

Jonathan Cave

Honorable

ubercake

Splendid

MarkW

Judicious

hoix

Honorable

MarkW

Judicious

Jonathan Cave

Honorable

hoix

Honorable

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page