Leadtek or Gainward?

[wigs1979]

Which 6800GT is the better deal? A Gainward 6800GT Golden Sample for ~$430 shipped or Leadtek A400 GT(6800GT) for ~$405 shipped? Which will be the better performer? I am leaning toward the Gainward performance wise.

 

[BakedGoods]

Gainward rules. They and BFG are comparable in terms of quality. Leadtek I heard is good as well, but I'd lean more towards Gainward. They promise high OC's and offer great support as well as sexy-looking cards

 

[iddqd]

Gainward golden sample GT's use 1.6ns memory which can easily attain ddr1200, while BFG's 2ns struggles at over 1100.. cores are pretty much the same..

 

[BakedGoods]

Gainward golden sample GT's use 1.6ns memory which can easily attain ddr1200, while BFG's 2ns struggles at over 1100.. cores are pretty much the same..

Actually, earlier Gainwards *might* have 1.6ns memory, but most/all of the newer manufactured ones have 2.0ns. See http://www.gainwardusa.com/products/vga_2400dt.htm

 

[chrisf6969]

Flip a coin, they're all the same.

The only real variable in overclocking is the chip.... and thats luck of the draw with all the manufacturers getting the same chip from the same fab. The memory is all the same memory from the same place... its overclocking is not dependent on the PCB/videocard maker... but luck of the draw just like the chip.

So chose a card if it has a good game bundle or warranty/customer service.

But truthfully most cards either fail in the 1st week or last years.... and may need a fan replacement at some point. So "lifetime guarantees" are really wasted.

 

[CrimandEvil]

As a GT both are pretty good but personally I like the Gainward and BFG ones. Now if OCing that GT to an Ultra is what you want to do then that's different. But if that's not your concern then do what Chris said and just flip a coin...or better yet just get whichever one you can find.