BFG GeForce GTX overclock

[smartech]

First of all BFG was recommended to me by many people so i'll probably go for it.
The question is, whether it worth to take OCX (highest factory overclocked) version, or go with the simple one, custom cooler, and overclock it by myself???

I'm talking about following cards:

BFG GeForce GTX260 MaxCore 216 55n - Core 576MHz standard, Shader 1242MHz standard, Memory 1998MHz standard

BFG GeForce GTX260 MaxCore 216 55n OC - Core 590MHz (vs. 576MHz standard), Shader 1296MHz (vs. 1242MHz standard), Memory 1998MHz standard

BFG GeForce GTX260 MaxCore 216 55n OC2 - Core 630MHz (vs. 576MHz standard), Shader 1350MHz (vs. 1242MHz standard), Memory 2126MHz (vs. 1998MHz standard)

BFG GeForce GTX260 MaxCore 216 55n OCX - Core 655MHz (vs. 576MHz standard), Shader 1404MHz (vs. 1242MHz standard), Memory 2250MHz (vs. 1998MHz standard)


Also the OCX one is climbing close to the price of GTX 275:
BFG GeForce GTX275 core 240 55n OC - Core 648MHz (vs. 633MHz standard), Shader 1440MHz (vs. 1404MHz standard), Memory 2304MHz (vs. 2268MHz standard)


The goal is max performance for min money of course, what solution u would recommend???

 

[Yami]

Go for either the normal or OC version, and overclock yourself further, with a custom cooler if it's necessary.

 

[Slaymate]

I always buy an aftermarket cooler. Buying an OC version card can be tricky. If it's clocks are just slightly higher than stock then it's not really gonna matter. But the cards that come with a significant OC usually have better/faster memory modules and that can be a plus, but is it worth it?

 

[smartech]

Slay, u mean investing on OCX is worthless??

 

[Slaymate]

Usually your better off buying the standard speed video card and spending the extra cash on a good after-market cooler. The after-market cooler will usually enable you to hit or exceed the speeds of the OCX variety of cards with the possible exception of the memory speeds. So, unless your planning on trying to set a few overclocking world records where the extra boost in memory speed might help, it's best not to buy a OCX card.

 

[smartech]

OK i got it with the clocks. I'll go for the normal, custom cooler and manually OC it.

Now tell me whether it worth to spend an extra 50$ (according to local prices) for GTX 275 (55nm core 240) instead of GTX 260 (55nm core 216)???

I have a 23'' (full HD) monitor in a new built, and the goal is to be able to play any existing game by now on high settings and hi res at about 30 fps (i'm not searching records, but i don't wanna see lags). Except it no upgrade plants for near year at least. Will 260 do the job, or the 275 worth the extra 50$???

 

[Slaymate]

What is your budget, or how much are these cards going to cost you?

 

[smartech]

I did a research in local stores, so optimal prices are so:
GTX 260 - 212$
GTX 275 - 270$

My budget is kinda flexible, but I want to save as much as possible.
I just need 30+ fps on 1920x1080 high settings for the nearest year at least.

 

[Slaymate]

30+ fps @ 1920x1080 is probable with both of those cards, it really depends on the games and the settings. If you can afford the GTX 275 it's going to deliver the best performance. I'm waiting to see how the Nvidia 300 series performs, but if I was buying a new card now, I would be looking at the new ATI 5000 series