eVGA Step Up question

[Burner27]

I purchased an eVGA GTX260 Superclocked card back in August. The specs are as follows:

Core clock 602MHz
Stream Processors 192 processing cores
Memory Clock 2052MHz
Memory Size 896MB
Memory Interface 448-bit

and now I see that eVGA has the "core 216" which offers the following specs:

Core clock 576MHz
Stream Processors 216 processing cores
Memory Clock 1998MHz
Memory Size 896MB
Memory Interface 448-bit

Now I know clock for clock, a GTX260 Core 216 with 216 stream processors VS a stock GTX260 w/192 stream processors will be a better performer but mine is a factory "superclocked" version and I am asking for opinions on whether I should go for the "step up" from eVGA. The cost would be rather minimal (~$35). Would the performance be enough to justify the "step up"?

 

[zerogear]

I'm sure you can overclock it to the same speed if not more with the core 216, as I have a vanilla GTX 280 and I BIOS-modded it to run at GTX 280 FTW speeds, though I'm not sure how good the new version is at overclocking, so if you have time on your Step-Up window, I'd wait and visit EVGA forums, and see how well these cards overclocks.

As for the stream processors, there will be a difference, but I doubt any real noticeable difference on your part, you'll probably only see it the difference using benchmark programs.

 

[scheibler1]

I wouldn't bother. The GTX 260 sp16 won't run any games that your gtx 260 can't. I'm in the same situation with the original gtx 260 overclocked past FTW speeds....I'll only steup up to a GTX 280(hopefully with a die-shrink)

 

[OCGuy]

I dont believe you are able to stepup to the 216. Nvidia reference cards only....

 

[Burner27]

Nope you can.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Ocguy31
I dont believe you are able to stepup to the 216. Nvidia reference cards only....

Don't know about EVGA, but BFG allows trade-ups to the new version from the old version.

 

[RussianSensation]

Not worth it.

 

[MegaWorks]

I would wait and step up for the new GTX 280.

 

[Sentry2]

If you plan on keeping the card for a while I don't think it could hurt to step up. Not saying a GTX 260 wouldn't last you a good while though too... Just do it if you're feeling the urge... if you've got the upgrade bug you can fight it but I doubt you'll win... :beer:

 

[ManWithNoName]

Originally posted by: Sentry2
If you plan on keeping the card for a while I don't think it could hurt to step up. Not saying a GTX 260 wouldn't last you a good while though too... Just do it if you're feeling the urge... if you've got the upgrade bug you can fight it but I doubt you'll win... :beer:

More or less what sentry said. Keep your current card, wait for the prices to drop on the new GTX 260 216SP to what you paid for your old GTX 260 192SP card, and then just Step-up by paying only the shipping cost. Performance wise they're very close, so unless you can do it by just paying shipping then I wouldn't.

 

[geokilla]

I agree with the others. Keep your current card. You won't see too much of a performance gain by going to the 216 shaders model.

I have a BFG 9600GT OC and I'm interested in how their trade up works. Can someone explain how it works? I read their site and have a general idea, but I don't understand the detailed stuff.

 

[Twsmit]

Problem with eVGA step up is that they rarely lower their prices. They are always MSRP and unless they decide on a price cut across the board there is going to be no savings for the OP. Trust me, earlier this year I thought it would be a brilliant idea to buy a 9600GT and then step up up to a 9800GTX. Only problem was eVGA stuck to MSRP and Newegg and others had dropped their prices by $50-100 off MSRP. I just couldn't pull the trigger knowing I was overpaying by that much.

 

[Insomniator]

You can only step up once right? Maybe something will happen in the next 2 months that is much better than a 5% gain for 35 bucks.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: geokilla
I have a BFG 9600GT OC and I'm interested in how their trade up works. Can someone explain how it works? I read their site and have a general idea, but I don't understand the detailed stuff.

You need to have registered your card within 30 days of purchase, including mailing in a copy of your invoice.

Within 100 days of purchase you'll need to start the trade-up process by logging in to your account at bfgtech.com and click on the link next to your registered card.

Once your desired trade up card is available (BFG won't take your card and go "whoops we're out of stock") you will be notified.

You ship your old card to BFG.

BFG examines your old card to make sure it is the card you claim it to be, and that you haven't invalidated the warranty.

If everything's good, you get a coupon code worth your original cost that you can apply towards your desired card, to be used on the BFG store site. Go to the site and "purchase" your desired card using the coupon code, which deducts your original amount from the amount of the new card. If the new card costs more, you'll have to pay the difference. You'll also have to pay for shipping.