Do OC cards like the Sapphire 7870 OC overclock higher than non OC branded cards?

[MonkeyK]

When they label them OC, do the manufacturers pick the faster chips for the OC branded cards? Or is it really just the exact same card in a different box?

According to Sapphire:
Two models of the HD 7870 are being introduced by SAPPHIRE at launch. The first is the SAPPHIRE HD 7870 which will ship with a core clock speed of 1GHz, and will be known as the SAPPHIRE HD 7870 GHz Edition. It is equipped with 2GB of the latest DDR5 memory clocked at 1200MHz (4.8Gb/s effective). At the same time SAPPHIRE is introducing a higher performance model, the SAPPHIRE HD 7870 GHz OC Edition, in which both core and memory are factory overclocked and the PowerTune limits are raised to allow even further performance tuning. Both models are equipped with SAPPHIRE’s new dual-extractor technology - Dual-X - a highly efficient multi-heatpipe cooler with dual fans providing quiet and very cool operation during normal operating conditions, and superb cooling performance even under extreme load.

So it looks like they imply the OC Edition should be able to reach higher overclocks than the non OC version.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

It's the exact same chip, it may have slightly less leakage than avg though. But as far as overclocking goes there has been nothing shown that I've seen that indicates one is better than the other, however higher leakage chips seem to do better with extreme cooling.

 

[KingFatty]

But what about other factors besides the chip?

Perhaps there might be better components like capacitors, or even including additional features like software-controllable voltage controllers etc., where a standard card might omit that entirely and prevent voltage control (forcing you to resort to something like a pencil mod to alter the hardware, instead of easily adjusting a software slider).

However, I'm extrapolating based on what I've seen with 58XX series cards, and I assume the 78XX series would see the same optimizations/tradeoffs when it comes to how the cards are physically built and what features are included/omitted - even different circuit boards etc. could be used.

 

[dguy6789]

I think the best answer you could get is "sometimes"

 

[flexy]

I don't know but i really do not think so.

The percentages of "factory OC" chips are usually ridiculously low anyway like 5%-10% which IMO is still very much within normal specs.

I personally think it's the same chips because you are likely to OC any other cards 10% - 15% right out the box w/o any problems as well. Its just a marketing gimmick and does NOT indicate better binned chips. My $0.02

 

[iCyborg]

Sometimes the OC versions have better coolers, but IIRC, in the Anand's roundup of 7870s, the Sapphire s OC has the same cooler, PCB, package etc. as the non-OC version. It could be that they do binning, but even Anandtech recommends buying non-OC Sapphire and OC-ing it yourself, it's only like 5% OC.

Sapphire's accessories seem great, better than others. The only minus to me is 2 years warranty.

 

[ensign_lee]

I have two of the sapphire Dual-X ones. I can only get to 1075 Mhz on stock voltage before problems occur.

Based on anecdotes from around the forum, other people's reference cards seem to be doing *better* than mine.

 

[KingFatty]

even Anandtech recommends buying non-OC Sapphire and OC-ing it yourself, it's only like 5% OC.

But there is an interesting question to consider - ignoring the measly 5% OC, is it possible to further overclock the "OC" version of a card higher than you can with a non-OC version?

 

[MonkeyK]

I guess what I was getting at was whether the chips, memory, or even whole card might get binned (same chip/memory/card, but sorted based on performance) to qualify for the OC branded product?

From everything that I can see, f
Sapphire 7850 and 7850 OC are identical component-wise.
Sapphire 7870 and 7870 OC are identical component-wise.
XFX 7850 and 7850 OC are identical component-wise.
XFX 7870 and 7870 OC are identical component-wise.

Is it merely that the OC versions are pre-overclocked and branded as such what makes them worth more than the non OC branded version? (this might be justified, considering the relatively small difference in price). Or is it possible that there is inherently more overclocking headroom in the OC branded cards?

 

[JBT]

Depends on the model. Usually cooling is better, and they have either adjusted the voltage down or up, which will either lower temps or allow higher OCs/increase stability respectively.

 

[kalrith]

I guess what I was getting at was whether the chips, memory, or even whole card might get binned (same chip/memory/card, but sorted based on performance) to qualify for the OC branded product?

I'm guessing that only the highly clocked versions of a card would get binned to qualify for the OC branded product. Think back to the EVGA 460 FTW version. It was highly overclocked, and I'm sure it had to be binned for that. However, if 95% of reference 7850s can run at 1200 MHz, then very little binning would have to go on to sell one at 1100 MHz. However, if someone released one that ran at 1250 MHz, then it obviously have to be binned.

 

[lifeblood]

If I was Sapphire of EVGA or someone, I would have ONE production line making my cards. This will keep things cheap avoid having to pay for a two assembly lines. At the end of that assembly line would be a tester who would slap the finished cards into a test device and automatically overclock them while monitoring temps, volts, etc. Those cards the reached OC speeds while staying below the set temperature (or other reading) would get put into an OC bin where it would be flashed and sold as an OC model. Those that didn't pass would be flashed and sold as a standard card.

 

[MonkeyK]

If you didn't need more cooling to OC successfully. That might require design changes.

I think that kalrith's response makes the most sense. These 7800 series OC branded cards are really only overclocking ~10% so it is likely within the tolerance of all cards. I am thinking that it is strictly a branding thing.

 

[lifeblood]

If you didn't need more cooling to OC successfully. That might require design changes.

I'm assuming that all components are the same. Looking at the Sapphire 7850 Reg vs OC that appears to be the case.

I think that kalrith's response makes the most sense. These 7800 series OC branded cards are really only overclocking ~10% so it is likely within the tolerance of all cards. I am thinking that it is strictly a branding thing.

I think I would rather test to make sure it falls within a certain criteria before I send it out as an OC card. It it fails within the warranty period because I factory OC'd it I have to replace it. However, it could very well be as you describe it. I'm not Sapphire so I am only making a SWAG.

 

[Stuka87]

In my experience, the difference is typically the coolers. But also a lot of non-refference designs typically have a better power supply setup (cooled VRM's, etc).

In the case of the Sapphire's, the OC models have dual fans, and there is a heat dissipater for the VRM's and memory. Or at least there is on my 7950 OC. The 78x0's I am not sure on.

 

[Lepton87]

Custom PCB cards usually only overclock higher using unconventional cooling methods like LN2, DryIce and sometimes water because that's when those extra VRMs and overall superior power supply system come into play.