death, unfortunately it's actually becoming increasingly difficult to find reference clocked NVidia cards.

Going by the definition of "stock clocks" though, the out-of-the-box clock speeds are stock. PNY are one of the only brands that still sell reference clocked NV cards.

Now, if ATi allow vendors to sell overclocked cards, then you may have a valid argument. For now though, the fact that you can buy the 8 series in stores at those clocks makes them stock.