BFG GTX 280 OCX 1GB Video Card Review

Conclusion

Well, that was interesting, wasn’t it? Back at the starting of this review we were talking about how the overclock on the BFG GTX 280 OCX was a bit on the low side when compared to some other OCX cards we have come across but still ranked up there with some of the highest overclocked 200-series cards. It seems like BFG really hit the nail on the head this time around since this card produced some significant and noticeable increases in performance right across the board. Many times we see almost nonsensical overclocks on these types of cards which result in one or maybe two frames per second more in some games but not this time folks. BFG has taken an already very good card in the GTX 280, has given it a couple dozen shots of adrenaline and let it loose like a wolf among a flock of sheep. While it can’t put up with the raw power of the HD 4870 X2 in many cases, the GTX 280 OCX is also a good $100 less expensive than ATI’s top-end card while not being held back by a dual GPU configuration.

Even though the OCX steamrolled most of the competition, it is some other key areas which make this particular card stand out in our minds. First of all, BFG shows other board partners the way with what should be included in a package with every connector and cable you can imagine. The HDMI cable may not be the highest of quality but it is more than enough to get you started on your way. There is also the fact that unlike the first GTX 280 we tested, this one didn’t sound like a runaway freight train when under load. This goes a long way to make gaming with the OCX a much more enjoyable experience if you tend to use your sound system below ear-splitting levels.

One of the main downfalls we see to this card right now is its very limited availability here in Canada. It would be good to see this at a few more retailers here in the land of the Maple Leaf but we are told this will happen shortly so stay tuned. The only other real issue we have seen with any GTX 280 card is the power consumption and the overclock on this particular example means that it is one hungry beast. Make sure you have a suitably expensive power supply or things could go downhill for you quite fast.

When push comes to shove, no matter what ATI has to offer right now, the GTX 280 is still the undisputed single-GPU champ. This card also shows us the possibilities which await us when Nvidia succeeds in shrinking down the GT200 core to make it a touch more efficient. BFG has a great card on their hands and the Lifetime Warranty, 24 / 7 customer service and Trade Up program are the final bit of icing on what is a very tempting looking cake. Indeed, if you are looking for a GTX 280, we suggest you take a long, hard look at the BFG GTX 280 OCX.

Pros:

- Amazing performance
- Surprisingly quiet
- Loaded accessory package
- Lifetime warranty
- Good idle power consumption


Cons:

- High power consumption under load
- Availability