re: eVGA 7600GT redesign: which is better?

Tipstaff

I almost PM'd this directly to CDs (given where he works), but figured I'd post it here first instead.

I'm trying to decide between the 2 (err... 3) versions of the eVGA 7600GT cards I'm seeing. There is the first card HERE which is the reference design (the same one followed by all the other manufacturers,), and the newly redesigned one HERE. What struck me was this: the redesign looks to have better capacitors (although now on the opposite side of the card), is smaller, clocked 20mhz slower, and only has 1 DVI, 1VGA. My question is: which to get? If I go the reference route I can pickup just about any card (BFG and XFX are easily available) cheaper, but the redesigned eVGA is the same price as the reference designs, plus the all metal caps has my curiosity peaked.

Edit: It just occured to me that there are 3 versions of the 7600GT. The KO (cooler also covers the ram, and is overclocked), the CO (cooler that covers the GPU only, which is the reference cooler, overclocked too), and this redesigned one (same reference cooler as the CO, but reference clock rate).

Of interest, the many complaints about the 7600GT cards is how at their stock speeds they tend to hard lock due to overheating. If I remember correctly one complaint directed mainly at the eVGA 7600GT CO was mostly because the card uses the same reference fan that everyone else does, which would be adecuate if it weren't an overclocked card. The fix for this was to replace the reference fan with a 3rd party one, OR under clock the card by 20 degrees, which brought it back to the reference speeds. In the case of the redesign, it's already clocked back.

Suggestions, guys? (other than to get a 7900GS instead thank you )

(btw, the guy I'm buying this for, all he plays is World of Warcraft. That's it. If he we're playing anything else I'd get him a 7900GS. However, it's $80 Can. more after rebates, and would push this upgrade past his $500 limit)

CDsDontBurn

hmm.....to better help you, it would be good if i could get some part numbers if you can.

256-P2-N5xx-XX

and

256-P2-N6xx-XX

"xx" fills in the missing two numbers, and "XX" dictates the suffix. the suffix does not matter.

if you can, find me the remaing portions of the part number, and i can then easily give you a spec sheet of the differences between the two .

Tipstaff

Cool. Thanks, CDs. I hope you can help me out with this as it's getting close to the point where I have to buy this card. Normally I'd just go for whatever card I can get my hands on, but with this client I need to be doubly cautious as they have a huge tendency to return things if something gives even the smallest problem (peeves me off to be honest).

The redesign (or smaller card) has 2 listings: 1 with dual DVI (256-P2-N550-T2) which I can't get for some odd reason, and 1 with DVI/D-Sub (256-P2-N615-TX). The latter card is dirt cheap right now at around $125 CAN, ontop of which there is a $20 rebate.

There is the KO (256-P2-N554-AX) that is an overclocked card that has the full copper cooler on it (which covers the RAM and GPU). I can get this for $150 CAN, and I know there is a $15 rebate too.

Lastly the CO (256-P2-N553-AX) which is still an overclocked card, but with a smaller cooler that only covers the GPU. I've seen many complaints about this one though. All of which point to the cooler being just adequate enough to keep the card going.

I've been going over it all day, looking at the old links I had, and the purchase orders. From what I can tell, previously I had bought a card for a client with the part #256-P2-N555-AX. From what I've been able to gather it was at one point referred to as the CO although I don't remember seeing it listed that way when I bought it. Nor did I have any problems with it (or at least the client has yet to say anything). Also, I could swear there was another card at one time in the 7600GT lineup from eVGA, but I can't recall the numbers for it.

I guess looking at it listed that way you see 2 overclocked cards, and one reference clocked smaller card (with 2 variations on connectors). The real questions then would be: given the previous problems with the 7600GT cards (all the 580mhz overclocked cards from all manufactuers using reference coolers), to your knowledge, does this new redesign fix those heat issues being at it's default clock rate of 560mhz? Does having all metal insulated capacitors help? Is there any known issues with the smaller card that I should be concerned about?

CDsDontBurn

the only difference between the two i've been able to find, aside from the physical one having dual DVI ports and the other having 1xVGA and 1xDVI, is the memory. The memory on the N550 used on this card is SAMSUNG (model: K4J52324QC-BC14) / HYNIX (model: HY5RS123235FP-14) both being 1.4ns

N615 - this model uses Infineon memory chips (model: HYB18H512321AF-13) which runs at 1.3ns. aside from that, i couldn't find anything else. the GPUs and everything else are exactly the same.

Both the N553 and N554 are exactly the same aside from the cooler. the RAM chips, the GPUs everything. Like you noted, the KO is the better of the two cards because it does cover the RAM chips. One thing to note though, i've noticed that the CO and KO models of our cards tend to have a slightly higher failure rate simply because they are OCed. Although, of the two models, the COs have a higher failure rate; again, this is due to the more inefficient cooling design. These models use Infineon (model: HYB18H512321AF-14) RAM chips using 1.4ns.

This was all the information i was able to find out. As for the QC and whatnot on the caps, and why they are placed where they are placed in the different versions of the cards, they won't tell even me!

Tipstaff

Nice!

Well, I'll be picking up the newer card tomorrow. Even though you couldn't find out much about the thing it still looks as if it's the safer bet when compared to the other 2 OC'd ones. Or, at least it should be the one I'd have less trouble from, which is the real important thing for me (especially in regards to this particluar client ).

Thanks for the info, CDs. It's much appreciated.

CDsDontBurn

yep. np man .

oh, also tell all your clients to register their products in the first 30 days after purchase to qualify for the lifetime warranty, otherwise, it's only a one year warranty.

fobis

ooo, those Infineon chips at 1.3ns would be a little better for overclocking, i think.

Tipstaff

Gotcha. I remember something about that. eVGA changed it in November, right?

Speaking of which, the T2/TX boards aren't covered by the new Lifetime Warranty though, isn't that right? Instead it follows the old 1 + 1 warranty if registered within 30 days, correct?

CDsDontBurn

yup, that's right. any evga product purchased on or after nov. 1, 2006 will qualify for either the 1 + 1 or lifetime warranty if registered in the first 30 days after purchase.

Tipstaff

2 years is plenty in my books.

Hell, if it lasts longer than that I won't make any money... unless I give them a game that brings their system to a crawl. Man, does that ever bring them to my door sooner for upgrades.

Again, thanks CDs. You've been a big help.

CDsDontBurn

Tip, check your PMs