BFG GTX 285 OCX Vs. EVGA GTX 285 SSC

[cyberrhoads]

Hello All,

New to the forum. Wanted to know if anyone had feedback on the BFG GTX285 OCX and the EVGA GTX 285 SSC. I have Dell XPS 630i with a 750w PSU, a Nvidia 650 MoBo, and currently have a 9800GT. while the 9800GT is a good card, I seem to be have some problems with a few games in that they stick or freeze. I have the most current drivers and still sometimes get the problems. I know both cards are very good and almost identical in features as well as overclock rates. Also read that there might be a GTX285 2GB card coming out, is there any truth in that?

Thanks for the info.

Mike

 

[chef7734]

EVGA has a better warranty. I will only purchase EVGA or XFX nvidia cards and usually only xfx ati cards because of their warranty

 

[L1qu1d]

BFG and EVGA are the same, only difference is BFG gives you 10 days more to make up your mind, and aren't as demanding from the packaging when you ship it to them. The approve it almost instantly.

When dealing with EVGA and BFG technical support, I'd have to say that they are both idiots, but BFG was alot more helpful for Step up.

Warranty is exactly the same, Life time.

XFX is my choice for ATi, but I like the step up idea, and love that I can be covered for 3 months, if another card catches my eye. XFX instead you can modify the cooling and it comes with double life time warranty, which basically means you can pass it on to a friend and they can register the warranty too from my understanding


good luck, if the choice is bfg VS evga get which ever is cheaper, if price is the same, flip a coin or go by how nice the picture is they are technically the same card. I've see the BFG oc more, but you can't use that because the its random for each card.

 

[chef7734]

BFG does not support overclocking or cooler removal like EVGA. If you are not doing either then it does not matter.

 

[L1qu1d]

evga doesn't support cooler removal, and overclocking is at your own risk with EVGA.

 

[chef7734]

Yesthey do as long as you do not damage the pcb or the serial number sticker.


EVGA is recognized through customer loyalty and the highest levels in customer satisfaction. We continuously work to make sure that each purchase results in a customer for life! This is part of the EVGA Difference - known for offering value and performance, as well as top notch customer service.

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[L1qu1d]

Evga revamped their warranties,

http://www.evga.com/support/warranty/

yup I just read it, it wasn't there before, nor was 1+1 and 1+2.

 

[chef7734]

BFG
BFG LIMITED LIFETIME CONSUMER WARRANTY and RMA POLICY





APPLIES TO ALL GRAPHICS CARDS INTRODUCED BY BFG ON OR AFTER 2/21/08

BFG Technologies warrants to the original purchaser of the graphics card included in this package ("Product") that the Product will be free from defects in material or workmanship for as long as the original purchaser (residing in the United States or Canada) owns the product, when given normal wear and proper usage. For original purchasers residing in areas outside the USA or Canada, the limited warranty for graphic cards shall be for a period of ten (10) years from the date of purchase.

In connection with such Limited Lifetime or Ten Year Warranty, all BFG graphics cards introduced on or after February 21, 2008 must be registered on www.bfgtech.com within thirty (30) calendar days of the original purchase date to activate the limited lifetime warranty or limited ten (10) year warranty. Products not properly registered will be covered from the date of purchase by a two (2) year warranty in Europe, and a one (1) year limited warranty in the U.S. and other countries. Proper registration includes submitting proof of purchase to BFG.

This warranty is VOID if the product:

* Has evidence of the serial number sticker being altered, removed, replaced, or defaced.

* Was damaged while being installed.

* Was damaged by software or hardware from a company or individual other than BFG Technologies or by motherboard incompatibility.

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Third party products, such as motherboards and other system components using or interacting with this Product are not covered by this warranty.

All products sent in for Return Merchandise Authorization (“RMA”) in connection with warranty claim must include a copy of the original invoice or receipt.


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Customer pays for shipping RMA product to BFG. Customer assumes the risk of loss (insurance from loss or damage) in transit and the returned Products shall become the sole property of BFG Technologies. BFG Technologies warrants that the repaired or replaced Products will be free from defects in material or workmanship.

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EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED ABOVE, BFG TECNOLOGIES MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WHETHER OF MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, OR OTHERWISE ON THE PRODUCTS, OR ANY PARTS OR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OR OTHER LABOR FURNISHED.

 

[chef7734]

Evga revamped their warranties,

http://www.evga.com/support/warranty/

yup I just read it, it wasn't there before, nor was 1+1 and 1+2.

Umm that is what I posted. No where do they void the warranty for removal of heatsink or overclocking.

 

[L1qu1d]

doubtful about the overclocking though

"damage during modification of any kind"

 

[chef7734]

"here is no physical damage to the PCB, GPU/chipset, or components that are caused by: Damage due to improper installation, damage during modification of any kind, damage during any type of Aftermarket cooling installation, and water damage of any kind."
As long as you do not damage the pcb or the serial number.

 

[L1qu1d]

so if the components short circuit or over heat, melt/burn. thats not physical?

 

[L1qu1d]

Bfg should revamp the warranty soon 2 hopefully I know that they auto register cards from step up so you don't have to, they adapted to the step up, and soon should move on. I've had alot better experiences with BFG, I had 3 260 GTX EVGA FTW, and not could oc even 15 mhz.

Though I do recommend both companies, I like BFG more.

 

[chef7734]

I am not saying that. If that happens then yes there is physical damage. If you install a cooler correctly there will not be physical damage. If it shorts out or just stops working just reinstall the cooler that you have to send back and usually they replace the card. If you melt or burn the card they will not replace it. This is much better than what bfg offers. If they see that the heatsink has been removed they will reject it. If they can prove it has been overclocked they will do the same.

 

[L1qu1d]

Oced, my 9800 GX2 to 780 mhz didn't say anything, when I asked them about the overclocking, they said "if the card passes stress test, it will be accepted"

I've actually had better experience with XFX than evga and BFG, but I don't like the no step up idea.

 

[chef7734]

Out of the 3 I perfer dealing with XFX. Much better customer serivce of the three. I misplaced a cd key for a game they gave me free and they gave me a new key within an hour of the claim. They have told us to ship back a few 4870 even though we knew they were not bad. They replaced the cards. Hopefully BFG will update thier warranty and suppord ocing and pcb removal. They have always been a good company.

 

[chef7734]

Yeah I was kinda leery about the step up plan but usually keep cards over the 90 days. I will sell the cards anyways to upgrade.

 

[cyberrhoads]

Thanks for all of the insight and great info. BTW, anything on a 2GB card from either manufacturer?

 

[L1qu1d]

doubt 2 GB willd o much since no DDR5, and only 512 bit

 

[chef7734]

Don't waste your money on a 2gb card. You will really not see much of an improvement.

 

[cyberrhoads]

Thanks, now decisions, decisions, decisions.

 

[cyberrhoads]

After some additional reading, some recommend getting the standard non overclocked cards. Some feel that the non oc cards will produce a higher overclock than the factory oc versions without spending the extra $50 to $80.
Any opinions on this? Is the extra money worth the oc?

Thanks
Mike

 

[gamerk316]

No OC is guarrenteed, but a regular card should OC close to the OC'd versions anyway.

 

[L1qu1d]

yes^

I mean its the same card most of the times, unless the company chooses to flash the bios of the card to accept higher volts.

If you don't want to risk OCing it would be a better idea to grab 1 done for u, not just because of the warranty just so you don't have to send it in and wait 2-3 weeks for it to come back.

me personally I try to go either vanilla (no oc), or 1 step above stock, that way I know I paid the least amount, and I either have a slight edge over stock, and I'm more comfortable.

Usually though, I just oc my card to match the highest OC card from that company, example. BFG 285, I would try to touch OCX speeds.

 

[cyberrhoads]

Decided to go with EVGA GTX 285 FTW, now have to wait until one comes in.