EVGA 9600 GSO Super Clocked Edition Review
Submitted By steven on Nov 4 2008 at 1:54 PM
Introduction
EVGA's 9600 GSO Super Clocked Edition
While high-end and premium-level graphics cards always seem to generate the most hype and enthusiasm, the truly fierce competition is found in the more value-oriented markets. These markets pertain to cards that cannot sacrifice efficiency and power consumption for the sake of performance.. The developers of these cards are constantly searching for new ways to place the maximum amount of performance within reach of the average end user. An immediate example of this can be found with latest incarnation of the Nvidia G92 graphics processor, as seen in the 9600 GSO.
Released in late April of 2008, the 9600 GSO was previously known as the 8800 GS. As Nvidia was moving their product lines away from the 8 series, and toward the 9 series, it was only natural that the name would carry over. The mechanics of the 8800 GS hardly changed with the new moniker, but the card did pick up a stigma of sorts in the process. Simply renaming a product, in lieu of offering a superior replacement, is often frowned upon by many in the tech industry. Although if one takes an objective stand point on this issue, one wouldn't care if Nvidia called an apple an orange. So long as the user receives the performance needed at a suitable price.
| Feature | 9500 GT | 9600 GT | 9600 GSO | eVGA 9600 GSO SC | 9800 GT | 9800 GTX+ |
| Shader Units | 32 | 64 | 96 | 96 | 112 | 128 |
| ROPs | 8 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 |
| TMUs | 16 | 32 | 48 | 48 | 56 | 64 |
| Transistors | 314 million | 754 million | 754 million | 754 million | 754 million | 754 million |
| Memory Size | 256 or 512 | 256 or 512 | 384 or 768 | 384 or 768 |
512 or 1024 | 512 |
| Memory Bus Width | 128-bit | 256-bit | 192-bit | 192-bit | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB | 57.6 GB | 38.4 GB | 45.6 GB | 57.6 GB | 64 GB |
| Core Clock | 550 MHz | 650 MHz | 550 MHz | 650 MHz | 600 MHz | 740 MHz |
| Shader Clock | 1400 MHz | 1625 MHz | 1375 MHz | 1620 MHz | 1500 MHz | 1840 MHz |
| Memory Clock | 800 MHz | 900 MHz | 800 MHz | 950 MHz | 900 MHz | 1000 MHz |
The 9600 GSO rests in the median of Nvidia's 9 series of graphics cards – alongside the G94 based 9600 GT, released two months earlier. As stated above, the 9600 GSO is based on the G92 graphics chip and features 96 shader processors, 48 TMUs, and 12 ROPs. The 9600 GSO is offered in two memory configurations (384 MB or 768 MB), further paired with a rather odd 192-bit memory bus. Based on reference specifications set by Nvidia, the 9600 GSO should have a core speed of 550 MHz and 1375 MHz on the 96 shader processors. The memory sub system is set at 800 MHz, resulting in about 38.4 Gb of memory bandwidth. Given the intended audience of the 9600 GSO, Nvidia has permitted many of its partners to offer the 9600 GSO in a variety of configurations. These include units that are factory-overclocked, have non-reference cooling systems, or any number of other features to make them more attractive to potential buyers.
The EVGA 9600 GSO “Super Clocked” edition (model 384-P3-N967-TR) is the subject of this review. The 384-P3-N967-TR is a 384mb model and features a standard single slot cooling system. This model is factory overclocked to a speed of 650 MHz on the core and has the shader processors set to 1620 MHz. The memory has been overclocked from 800 MHz to 950 MHz, resulting in 45.6 Gb of total memory bandwidth. Such substantial gains in clock speed are sure to impact the performance of the card, especially when compared to the non-overclocked units. To demonstrate this, we have also included benchmarking with the card set to the reference clock speeds.
Posted by Anonymous on Oct 22 2009 at 11:47 am
very useful review to save money against bigger video cards