EVGA GTS-250 1 GB Superclocked Edition

INTRODUCTION

Nvidia recently unveiled its new GTX-2xx lineup of enthusiast GPU's which are an Enthusiast class GPU. They were met with great enthusiasm and performed better than any previous generation of GPU's we've seen from Nvidia. Since then we've seen the 65nm cores shrink to 55nm and voltage consumption went down with that shrink. We've been wondering about Nvidia's Performance class GPU lineup in the GTX series and we met with Nvidia recently to go over the performance class lineup.

To that end we have an EVGA GTS-250 1 GB Superclocked edition to take a look at today. The GTS-250 1 GB edition is a G92 core with a twist, it's a 55nm shrink of the G92 core and has been rechristened the G92b. There are currently two models of the GTS-250 available, the GTS-250 512 MB which is nothing more than a 9800GTX+ rebranded and the GTS-250 1 GB which has a faster memory speed and a total of 1 GB of memory.

Let's deal with that right up front. Nvidia and EVGA and the other Nvidia partners we spoke with were very up front about the GTS-250 512 MB being simply a rebranded 9800GTX+. They are not trying to hide anything or trying to fool anyone with this rebranding. They aren't trying to prevent the GTS-250 512 MB from being run in SLI with existing 9800GTX+. In our meeting with Nvidia they made it clear the 512 MB model will run in SLI with the 9800GTX+. The rebranding is designed to fit in with the current naming scheme of GTX (Enthusiast class) and GTS (Performance Class) so that the consumer can walk into the store and know that the higher the number assigned to the GPU the faster it is, thereby preventing the less informed consumer from looking at a 9800GTX+ and thinking that 9800 is a bigger number than say 280 so 9800 must be better.

In the same breath they informed us that there would also be a second GTS-250 model but it would be a GTS-250 1 GB model which is what we are going to look at today. Unfortunately, the GTS-250 1 GB model will not SLI with an existing 9800GTX+ or GTS-250 512 because it has more memory and the memory is clocked higher than the 512 model. Unlike the previous 9800GTX+, the GTS-250 (both models) only have one 6 pin PCI-E power connector because they require less power. Another difference is that the GTS-250 series have shrunk from 10 1/2 inches to 9 inches, so that should give people with existing smaller cases a break.

The GTS-250 512 comes in at $129.99, so it's actually cheaper than some 9800GTX+ we've seen, and the GTS-250 1 GB edition comes in at $149.99, which is the same price we've seen the 9800GTX+ land at. Same price, more frame buffer memory. That's not a bad thing. Newer games will run with a 512 MB frame buffer but some are memory starved at 512 MB, causing a drop in frame rates. The GTS-250 1 GB edition is designed for newer games and let's them take advantage of the 1 GB of memory it features.

Let's dispense with the here it is and here's what it is portion of the review and take a look at the EVGA GTS-250 Superclocked.

About EVGA

Warranty & Support:

In the US, EVGA offers a 10 year warranty (equivalent to lifetime). You can find full details of the warranty program on the EVGA home page, although it's important to remember that the 10 year warranty only applies if you register the card within thirty days of purchase. But this is pretty much standard practice amongst the board partners that offer extra extended warranties. In addition, EVGA also has a lively message board where you can ask EVGA representatives about anything you'd like to know before or after purchasing an EVGA product.

One thing that sets EVGA above other NVIDIA partners is its support program. When you purchase an EVGA video card, the company gives you the chance to step up to something better (should Nvidia release a new line of graphics cards) in the first 90 days after the initial purchase. In order to qualify for this, you must purchase your EVGA video card from an authorized reseller – purchasing a card from eBay or another auction site does not qualify you for the Step-Up program.

Providing you meet EVGA's very reasonable terms and conditions, you will get the full amount you paid knocked off the cost of the card you're upgrading to. Obviously, you can't keep stepping up to something faster – EVGA allows you to complete one Step-Up on each video card purchase; the Step-Up doesn't count as a purchase.