Whats the difference between a reference card and regular card?

[Swift Assassin]

I am looking at a card someone is offering me to buy 6950 2gb radeon, but it is a reference model card. So i would like to know what's the difference between reference and regular.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[GeezerHT]

Hopefully this is correct.
When AMD or nVidea make a video card it's made to their specs. It is the reference edition.
When some other licenced company such as Asus or Sapphire take a reference card and tweek it, it becomes non-reference card.
I would think of the reference card as regular.

[Delavan]

To pinpoint the difference even more:

Reference: All cards are built to the exact same specs, use the very same circuit board layout, same components, and SAME COOLING SOLUTION.

Basically, all reference cards are looking the same, perform same (at reference clock), the manufacturer slaps it's own sticker on the card, only the bundled items in the box might differ...maybe a free game, who knows...

Non-ref: Modified boards for different reasons such as : cost-saving, increased cooling capabilities, increased overclocking potential...

Most of the time, the custom cards are built around cheaper components, to shave a few bucks compared to the reference design...the most classic case as of late....replacing VOLTERRA voltage regulator on Radeon cards for cheaper VRs....

The MSi Twin frozr II cards, the Saphirre Vapor-X, the Asus Direct Cu II are all custom card design with increased cooling potential that are actually quite interesting and well made...

[GT7R]

Gigabyte's UltraDurable series are the best non-reference cards out there.
My opinion.

[Swift Assassin]

ok i think i get it, thanks for the help.

[DenisS]

as said before, reference is regular :D