Help with Nvidia GTX 660 ti

[xNuclearHDx]

Hey there everyone! I am building a gaming/streaming pc. I have purchased every part except the graphics card. I was looking at the MSI GTX 660 ti Power Edition and I noticed that they have 2 versions of it. I know that one is factory overclocked and one is not. My question is: What difference does a Factory overclocked card make on the overall maximum overclocking potential. Does it increase it or not? I am wondering because the none overclocked version is 20 dollars cheaper at newegg right now after rebate. Thanks for taking the time to read this!

[BeaverBender]

In "theory" it might be more overclockable because it could/should? be binned better.

[bliz]

The pre overclocked should be stronger and should be able to overclock further,what is sure, it's that it will work at their overclocked stock speeds,MSI is good at that.and you will be probably able to push it even more.

[xNuclearHDx]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I do have another question about overclocking however. Does anyone know how much the Nvidia greenlight program has hurt the overclocking potential of the 660 ti's? Thanks!

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by bliz

The pre overclocked should be stronger and should be able to overclock further,what is sure, it's that it will work at their overclocked stock speeds,MSI is good at that.and you will be probably able to push it even more.

No not true. Overclocked cards are usually pushed to a point where you won't be able to go any further. I prefer vanilla type cards that aren't overclocked and do it myself.

[bliz]

Logically,the pre overclocked cards are build a bit stronger so i don't see how an original card could overclock better,It depends if the pre OC model is maximum overclocked,like you said.

In most cases the maximum overclocking will be better with the pre overclocked card.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by bliz

Logically,the pre overclocked cards are build a bit stronger so i don't see how an original card could overclock better,It depends if the pre OC model is maximum overclocked,like you said.

In most cases the maximum overclocking will be better with the pre overclocked card.

Same thing as ram. Ram that is sold as overclocked ram means its binned higher and means it may not overclock better.

My GTX 560ti FPB can run at speeds over 1ghz on the core without breaking a sweat.

[Silvgearx]

Either go vanilla or the highest overclock. From my experience most of the "mild" overclocked cards are crap at manual overclocking. Especially those EVGA SC cards. You buy a "vanilla" and they ship you a SC.

[xNuclearHDx]

Thanks everyone I went with the overclocked version just to play it safe.

[Generic User #2]

Originally Posted by enaberif

No not true. Overclocked cards are usually pushed to a point where you won't be able to go any further. I prefer vanilla type cards that aren't overclocked and do it myself.

I wouldn't say that.....I've seen many many reviews and forum posts where overclocked cards are manually overclocked even further.