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Vendor Cards: BFG GeForce 7800GTX OC

 by Derek Wilson & Josh Venning on August 4, 2005 2:39 PM EST
20 Comments | Add A Comment
20 Comments

Power

We measure the power load of the system (with the card installed) in three different states: while the system is idle, while running tests with the clock speeds unmodified, and then again with the card overclocked manually. We then stress test the card by looping multiple Battlefield 2 demos for 45 minutes.

Load Power

The power load that we attained while the system was idle was 149 W, and the idle temperature was 43º C. The power load gets progressively higher with each card, BFG being the highest (274 W at 460MHz, and 278 W at 473MHz). Those dealing with power issues in their computer may want to steer clear of the 7800GTX altogether, but it won't be a problem for most.

Heat

Load Temperature

The BFG card's temperature is closer to the EVGA's, which provides further evidence that MSI does in fact run somewhat cooler than other 7800 cards. As a side note, we happened to test the temperature of a second MSI card that we had, and it also ran cooler, offering evidence that all of MSI's 7800's run slightly cooler than other 7800's. The BFG reached a temperature of 77º C at 460MHz, and 80º C at 473MHz.

Noise

To recap our noise testing procedures, users can't generally isolate the noise of the graphics card from the rest of the system, but it does have an impact. The formula that we used to determine noise levels for the 7800GTX cards is as follows (all sound measurements are made at a stationary position one meter from the system):
gpufactor = (10( SPLsys / 20))2 - (10 ( SPLamb+cpu / 20))2
SPLamb+gpu = 20 log( sqrt( gpufactor + (10( SPLamb / 20))2))
SPLsys is the measured SPL of the entire system.
SPLamb is the SPL of the room with the computer shut down.
SPLamb+ cpu is the measured SPL of the system without the graphics card installed.

Noise

As expected, we didn't notice this card to be exceptionally quiet or noisy compared to the others from a subjective standpoint. We ran our tests though to determine the decibel level and achieved 40.5 as the result. As you can see on the graph, the BFG 7800 is the loudest and the EVGA is the quietest at 38.4.

Because all of these cards have the same style heat sink, it's no surprise that we haven't noticed any glaring differences in noise level. Most likely, all of the 7800 cards with stock HSFs will have similar levels, and you will probably not be able to discern any differences using just your ear. A difference of 2 dB isn't significant – noticeable, perhaps, but the rest of the system components will often contribute more noise than the GPU. 2 dB is also small enough that we may simply be picking up a variance between the fans used, as even two fans off the same production line may not be 100% identical. We will keep testing to see how noise levels compare between all of the cards and report on anything unusual that we may find. For now, the cards all perform very close to one another.

Test Setup and Performance Conclusion
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  • Spacecomber - Thursday, August 4, 2005 - link

    Hey Derek, this is a bit tangential, but in the comments to the MSI 7800GTX review you provided a link to the demo you used for running the BF2 benchmarks. I gave it a quick try and it wouldn't run for me (game exits to desktop). I was wondering what verion of the game were these made for, the original unpatched game, perhaps? I was trying the demo with a game patched to v1.02.

    Thanks,

    Space

  • DerekWilson - Thursday, August 4, 2005 - link

    Only works on 1.0

    We may consider looking at demos for the 1.02 (or later) version.

    Thanks,
    Derek Wilson

  • Spacecomber - Friday, August 5, 2005 - link

    Ok, that's what I thought. Thanks. It's no big deal, of course; I just like fooling around with this kind of stuff. (But not enough to reinstall the game without the patch. ;-) )

    Space

  • allnighter - Thursday, August 4, 2005 - link

    I think it was unfairly downplayed to factory OC on the memory being the only advantage. So not true. The fact that you can get a hold of a support rep in the middle of the night, seven days a week, is a pretty big deal. Than the fact that the card comes bundled with othe stuff, like free utilities and a pack of teflon slick pads was omitted. Those present a value to the gamer as well. The t-shit, although oversized (XL) is actually a nice touch, free advertising or not. Another thing - the card I purchased did come bundled with a game. Granted, it was Far Cry, fairly old compared to BF2 and even Riddick, never the less, it was in the box.

  • allnighter - Thursday, August 4, 2005 - link

    OMG, I really need to use the spell check before I post. Would you kindly help me out with that?

  • BaronVonAwesome - Thursday, August 4, 2005 - link

    I don't have enough time to read this as thoroughly as I would like, but did the article happen to mention BFG's lifetime warranty (which I personally think is worth more than any game bundle)? I would go with the BFG myself.

  • JarredWalton - Thursday, August 4, 2005 - link

    It's mentioned on the last page, along with the fact that EVGA now offers the same lifetime warranty. I can't personally vouch for the quality of either, having never used their tech support, but I've heard they're both good.

  • Son of a N00b - Thursday, August 4, 2005 - link

    there is a small typo on the OC'ing page... ge t should be get...lol


    Nice article...very complete

    Good Job...I myself have had awesome experiences with BFG, not to mention their tech support, RMA support, and life time warrenty...

    So when I get my 7800's I will be going BFG.

  • DVad3r - Thursday, August 4, 2005 - link

    I would really love to see a Leadtek 7800 GTX review...and an Asus one for that matter...I am going to be buying a new system soon and I am hard pressed to choose between Asus/Leadtek/BFG?

  • CtK - Thursday, August 4, 2005 - link

    Its about time :)
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