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Same chipset, different companies - difference?

M

Master Ninja

Limp Gawd
Joined
May 6, 2005
Messages
182
I'm shopping for a 6600GT card up here in Canada, and there are a few models I'm looking at. The BFG, XFX, Chaintech and MSI models are all priced roughly equally, and the first three are the front runners right now (MSI's red PCB clashes with my other components and I'm shallow :) ).

What's the difference between the cards put out by various companies with the same chipset? Is there any difference between the cards themselves, or is it just the included software and warranty? If there's no functional difference I'll go with the cheapest one, but I can't find any comparisons of various similar models from different manufacturers.
 
I would stay away from the xfx brand. Really bad/flimsy heatsink/fan.

Also check the clock speeds on the different cards. Usually they are all clocked the same, but not always.
 
Biggest difference is usually heatsink/fan design, customer support, and warranty. Of the ones you listed, BFG is the best.
 
I plan on watercooling it (assuming the Innovatek block will fit on these cards) so the HSF is only a temporary issue. And the BFG is more expensive so it's falling behind in the running.

Can anyone vouch for the quality of either the XFX or Chaintech models? No one in Ontario carries the Chaintech so I'd have to order it in from BC.
 
Don't forget that removing the stock heatsink in most cases voids any warranty.

Terra - Just in case you didn't know this :)
 
Master Ninja said:
Can anyone vouch for the quality of either the XFX or Chaintech models? No one in Ontario carries the Chaintech so I'd have to order it in from BC.
Click to expand...

My XFX is fine. Heat sink fan is good. I get same or lower temps than most. Doesn''t seem "flimsy" at all to me. Nice OC (in sig) and temps around 70c after hours of gaming, mid 40's idle. Nice card, I have no complaints.

edit: should note, that I did replace stock thermal grease with artic silver. Stock was less than ten degrees more on either end of the scale.

u_95244
 
bizzz111 said:
I would stay away from the xfx brand. Really bad/flimsy heatsink/fan.

Also check the clock speeds on the different cards. Usually they are all clocked the same, but not always.
Click to expand...
mine seems ok as well. i get idle temps in the high 40's, and under load it never reaches 70 C (unless its overclocked).
my highest stable OC with this card (on stock voltage) is 575/1175, although i think memory can go higher (rivatuner limits it at 1175 for some reason).
 
Terra said:
Don't forget that removing the stock heatsink in most cases voids any warranty.

Terra - Just in case you didn't know this :)
Click to expand...

So does overclocking it, and that hasn't stopped anyone yet. :)

The only comparison I've found puts the Chaintech ahead because of the bundled stuff, but Purolator says my other equipment should be delivered today so if I get the XFX, I can be up and running this weekend. That's tempting enough to swing me.

Thanks for the input everyone!
 
My XFX heatsink (Rev. 2) is warped, with a copper plate screwed onto it...
It is absolutely terrible!
I suggest getting an aftermarket cooler if you want descent cooling.
 
bizzz111 said:
I would stay away from the xfx brand. Really bad/flimsy heatsink/fan.

Also check the clock speeds on the different cards. Usually they are all clocked the same, but not always.
Click to expand...

It kills me when people say that. The fans and heatsinks on most of the Geforce 6 series cards out there is the reference cooler, which isn't that bad and is even good enough for decent overclocking.
 
Sir-Fragalot said:
It kills me when people say that. The fans and heatsinks on most of the Geforce 6 series cards out there is the reference cooler, which isn't that bad and is even good enough for decent overclocking.
Click to expand...
The new XFX cooler is "better"
Picture%2033.jpg
 
MSI doesn't use a stock reference cooler either. Checkout this review of different 6600GT's at Anandtech:

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2295&p=9

They had an issue with the heatsink in the review, but it's been very solid for me and none of the problems they mentioned have occured. I'm sure that MSI went back and fixed this issue. It's something to watch though if your temps start to increase for no reason.

The PCB's RED, but I like how it contrasts with my black MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum SLI motherboard. Looks great in my moded case. I notice that you don't like the contrast, but some art has contrasting colors in it, try holding a piece of red construction paper in your case and see if it complements or detracts from your Mod design.
 
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