XFX 8800gts320 (500/1600) versus 8800GTS320 xxx (580/1800)

The standard 8800GTS 320MB comes clocked at 500MHz on the core and 1600MHz DDR on the memory. XFX have taken it up a notch by offering 580MHz on the core and 1800MHz DDR.

I read in several reviews that the 320gts can manage resolutions up to 1600 x 1200, so in my lcd (1680 x 1050) should also perform well.

The two cards are PHYSICAL identical (same cooler also) so the only difference will be the factory overclock.

If I just overclock the less expensive version (500/1600) by software (rivatuner, atitools, etc) I just can change the core and the memory clocks. If I flash the bios off the card I can just produce a identical card saving 50€

but I don't know if xfx (or others brands) «hand pick» the «best» chips to factory overclock, or they just do a random choice... And also I need to have a 8800 xxx ROM, in order to check if they also change the voltages, memory timings, pixel shader, etc etc.

So the idea is to save 50€ and produce a xxx version from a regular version just by flashing the bios of the video card. Is someone there that can provide me a ROM file of the xxx version?? is easy (and safe) to get a copy of your bios video card using nbitor http://www.bjorn3d.com/read.php?cI [...] ageID=3141

any ideas, comments or help ?

TIA

ethel is 100% right.
Do not take that risk :!:
I was on the same situation and i picked the standard 500/1600 GTS.
Just use RivaTuner to easily reach those clocks & you have the XXX version!
BTW, those clocks does not provide huge performance difference(0~10FPS), so it does not worth the risk to destroy the card!

You can also overvolt your card yourself if you want to (e.g. with ATITool). I don't know about memory timings though, never done that.

I still think if you are prepared to overclock you should save yourself the money and get the cheaper card.