Date:
Sunday , February 01, 2009
Author:
Matthew Krysiak
Editor:
Brent Justice
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BFGTech GeForce GTX 285 OCX

Today we have the BFGTech GeForce GTX 285 OCX on the table: The fastest of the four GTX 285 models that BFGTech offers. We see how it stacks up against a reference GeForce GTX 285 and an AMD Radeon HD 4870 X2 in CoD: WaW, Fallout 3, FarCry 2, L4D, and by popular demand GTA IV.

Introduction

BFGTech has made quite name for them self by offering high-quality products, 24/7 free technical support, and lifetime warranties. Their "by gamers, for gamers" philosophy and close relationship with NVIDIA has established BFG Technologies as a premium video card brand in the USA. Their own website states:

Many of our employees are gamers and PC enthusiasts, and we provide hardware and marketing that reflects our passion and excitement for the latest technology.

Today we are going to be focusing on BFGTech’s fastest GeForce GTX 285: the BFGTech GeForce GTX 285 OCX

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The GeForce GTX 285

The GeForce GTX 285 was launched on January 15th 2009 as a refresh of the GeForce GTX 280 which launched seven months earlier. The most notable change is the use of a 55nm manufacturing process, down from the 65nm process of the GTX 280. This enables the GTX 285 to run at higher clock speeds while still maintaining lower power consumption. The core clock speed is up 46MHz to 648MHz and the shader frequency is up 180MHz to 1.476GHz. The memory clock speed has also been increased by 270MHz to 2.484GHz. However, the GTX 285 still keeps the same 240 streaming processors, 32 ROPs, 80 texture filtering units, and 1GB of GDDR3 on a 512-bit memory bus.

The lower power requirement has also done away with the need for an 8-pin and 6-pin power connectors. Replacing them are only two 6-pin connectors on the GTX 285. The total max board power is now 183 watts, which is done by 53 watts from the GTX 280 max power rating of 236 watts.

BFGTech GeForce GTX 285 OCX

The GeForce GTX 285 OCX is BFGTechs premier GTX 285 with a core frequency of 702MHz, a shader frequency of 1.584GHz, and a memory frequency of 2.664GHz. BFGTech also has three other manufactured overclocked GTX 285s. They range from the OC2 model with a core frequency of 694MHz, a shader frequency a 1.584GHz, and a memory frequency of 2.592GHz to an OC model. Which with a core frequency of 666MHz, a shader frequency of 1.512GHz, a memory 2.484GHz, and a price tag of $280 puts at almost $50 less than an AMD Radeon HD 4870 X2.

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The card comes in a compact box measuring only 11 5/8” by 9”. Our particular box is BFGTechs e-tail unit which has almost every specification you could want listed right there on the front. Next to that list is also the “Included in Box” list. On the bottom left hand corner is the “Free 24/7 Tech Support and Lifetime Warranty” label but remember you must register within 30 days to eligible for them. On the right side of the box are the minimum system requirements, the serial number, and the part number. On the back is BFGTechs standard graphics and text.

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From the front of the card you would be hard pressed to tell it from any other GTX 260 or GTX 280 if it weren’t for the graphical theme. The head of the video card uses the standard configuration of a S-Video port with two DVI ports next to it and an air vent for the hot air to be dumped out the back of the computer case. On the tail end of the card are the two six-pin power connectors and the S/PDIF audio connector. On the back of the card, unlike its GTX 260 and 280 brethren, the GTX 285 has no metal heat shield.

The video card comes with the basic accessories: a Driver CD, an installation manual, a DVI to D-sub adapter, a DVI to HDMI adapter, a two four-pin to six-pin power adaptor, an internal audio cable, and a HDTV cable. It also comes with a supplemental install and a HDMI adapter guild. There is also a yellow flyer inside the box that reminds you that you must register the card to get the lifetime warranty.

The Focus

Our focus today is to find out just how well an overclocked GeForce GTX 285 does against a reference designed GeForce GTX 285 and how they both compare with an AMD Radeon HD 4870 X2. Currently at $379 you can buy a reference design GTX 285 or for a measly dollar more you have a slightly overclocked version. The BFGTech GeForce GTX 285 OCX can be found for $399 and an AMD Radeon HD 4870 X2 can be had for $429.