GTX 280 help....

[erikmorgan]

This may be a dumb question but I'm asking it anyway....

I want this
EVGA GTX 280 $354.99
Core Clock: 621 MHz
Memory Clock: 2268 MHz
Shader Clock: 1350 MHz
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4680607&CatId=3669

But this is much cheaper
BFG GeForce GTX 280 $269.99
Core Clock: 602 MHz
Memory Clock: 2214 MHz
Shader Clock: 1296 MHz
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3941064&CatId=3669

The reason I want the EVGA is that I love EVGA and everything in my system is EVGA, soo.....in keeping with this madness I simply want the EVGA one so everything matches....cheesy, I know.

my first question is....how in the sam hell is the evga $90ish more for very little clock speed difference??

question #2....I currently have a EVGA GTX 280, so this card will simply be for SLI, and on top of that I'm getting an additional card for dedicated physx, but should I get a 9800GT or GTS 250, everything in me says to get the 250 because it's the same price and higher clock speeds.....but I'm not sure...so that's why I ask.

So someone in xtreme land please help!!.....:confused:

[Mabyboi]

the evga card is so much more expensive for 2 reasons.
1) its EVGA
2) its clocked higher, alot of people are too lazy or inexperienced to overclock by themselves, so a company can pre-overclock them and make a profit on this.

for your physx card, if they're the same price grab the 250, but to be honest the 9800 is already overkill.

[BlaZ1n.IVXX]

the customer service and rma options are worth the extra 90 bucks. just rea what some peole have gone through with bfg.

[5ILVgearX]

Why not buy used? Its A LOT cheaper and by the time it dies you can get a second one for the price your paying for that new!

and shop around, you be surprise what you can fine ;)

[Mabyboi]

Why not buy used? Its A LOT cheaper and by the time it dies you can get a second one for the price your paying for that new!

and shop around, you be surprise what you can fine ;)

Also a great idea, and yes its more than worth it to buy the EVGA version.

[WrigleyVillain]

Agreed on used, especially considering I have lately seen people struggling to sell 280s for more than $150. If your set on EVGA well that's gonna be more difficult of course.

[JohnZS]

I would go for a second hand eVGA if I were you.
BFG have poor QC and if you do have to RMA a card they send you a refurb which can vary in quality from having significant visual physical damage to looking fine but dying within 10mins. I myself am stuck with an artifacting GTX that BFG sent me and are being difficult over replacing.
From what I have heard eVGA use higher quality PCBs and have a more stringent level of QA...hence why they cost more.
John

[erikmorgan]

This is why I love Xtreme! All my questions answered along with great advice in less than a day! Thanks to you all that replied. And do you guys know of anyone getting rid of an EVGA GTX 280? If not let me know if you come accross one. Thanks again.

[TJ TRICHEESE]

I would go for the zotac gtx 280 amp!, as its the fastest 280 and evga is very overrated

[Mabyboi]

I would go for the zotac gtx 280 amp!, as its the fastest 280 and evga is very overrated

i dont know too much of zotac so i cant comment on that, but as for the EVGA i have to say it is VERY worth it. XFX and EVGA are by far my favourites, EVGA has been flawless for me.

[5ILVgearX]

I would go for the zotac gtx 280 amp!, as its the fastest 280 and evga is very overrated

There really is no point in pay $50-$100 extra for a overclocked card, unless your absolutely scare of putting an extra 50mhz on your card which is nothing and it might raise your temp by 1C :rofl:

Good luck on your search :up: