third party graphics cards

[greedy09]

Hi Guys,

Ive recently been doing a bit of study before i start my new gaming rig, and a topic that crossed my mind was - is there any real difference between the different third party graphics card vendors and what they supply? Say for example i was to buy a 680, would there be any noticeable difference between a Galaxy 2GB & a EVGA 2GB.

Im still fairly new to the game hence the reason why im trying to study and learn more. Probably not an essential topic, but i would still like to know.

If anyone could maybe suggest some good links or reading material that would be much appreciated.

 

THANKS!

[tp95112]

They are the same cards poteneintally but when you get into there branded cards like evga classifiend and Galaxy Gc its a diffrent story. They usually change the entire PCB for better Oc headroom and change the cooler aswell

[JohnnyGrey]

Swapping out PCB's for better ones is one major difference between vendors, but that's not the only thing to consider. Other important deciding factors include warranties, customer support, and any trade-up programs a vendor may offer. IIRC, EVGA still has the best warranty for Nvidia cards, with a three year warranty out of the box, with the option to purchase longer warranties from EVGA.

 

Oh how I miss BFG...

[joelthezombie15]

I have no problem with "third party brands" except PNY and HIS 

[tabuburn]

Reference design based cards are pretty much equal. It's non-reference design based ones that start to have differing results but are still to close to make a difference. Unless you go for the top tier ones like EVGA Classified, MSI Lightning, ASUS Matrix/Ares/Mars etc. Although, you would have to get one from a trusted vendor. Personally, I stay away from Inno3D and PowerColor.

[Mdgtman91]

Coolers is where they mostly differ

I know Asus direct CU2 coolers are epic and quiet

[mgsstar]

The EVGA card could have better build quality than the Galaxy one and that is probably why Galaxy cards are probably cheaper. But if they are reference cards, they will have the same PCB and they will work the same.

[Cryo Kaiser]

tabuburn is right but theres no really bad brand because everyone has different experiences with them. Those companies don't make the graphics chips only the pcb so from time to time there is a bad card out there and that's for all brands.

[tabuburn]

tabuburn is right but theres no really bad brand because everyone has different experiences with them. Those companies don't make the graphics chips only the pcb so from time to time there is a bad card out there and that's for all brands.

LOL I remember back when the entire shipment of Inno3D cards was so bad where I lived that all the stores refused to sell that brand again.

[R4STABAN]

tabuburn is right but theres no really bad brand because everyone has different experiences with them. Those companies don't make the graphics chips only the pcb so from time to time there is a bad card out there and that's for all brands.

 

True, but there are budget/inferior brands.

 

For example, the Gainward brand is palit's failed attempt at trying to appeal to the crowd that won't buy budget brands. The gainward phantom cooler is rubbish compared to the twin frozr iv/windforce x3/dcuii etc