Noob question

MPX309 · May 10, 2013

Ok so alot of graphics cards have the same numbers (even from different manufactors) . . . I guess the number refers to the chips, so is it essentially the same card with a different shroud, coolers? . . . How does it all work? . . are they basically made in the same factory and then branded or what's going on? thanks

EDIT to make more sense

Ok yeah just for anyone else who reads this I mean like Yeah I mean like MSI and ASUS will both have a 680 . . .

joelthezombie15 · May 10, 2013

like do you mean the model number? like a gtx 680 vs. a 660? or are you talking about the clock speed

perplex · May 10, 2013

yes, thats mostly correct, the first lot of cards that come out are normally called reference cards, meaning they just slapped there own stickers on, but after that, they make custom coolers, and can make custom PCB's, the main advantage of custom coolers is that you can over clock them more, and should run quieter, even the manufacturers over clock them for you with some cards, but yes they are they same chip.

xToFxREAPER · May 10, 2013

Ok so alot of graphics cards have the same numbers (even from different manufactors) . . . I guess the number refers to the chips, so is it essentially the same card with a different shroud, coolers? . . . How does it all work? . . are they basically made in the same factory and then branded or what's going on? thanks

im assuming you mean like a 680 from asus and a 680 from msi in which case they use the same chip and often the same pcb, in some cases like the msi lightning edition for the asus directcuii edition of the card theyll create a custom pcb with custom power delivery and what not, for the most part their pretty much the same and framerate from one company to another wont change enough to make it a deal breaker in my opinion, get a card the compliments your rigs colour scheme cause one 680 from another doesnt really matter until you have custom vram on the board