I don't understand why the same graphics card has different looks and manufacturers

[hoix]

Hello Guys,

I'm thinking about upgrading my Graphics card (Currently xfx r9 280x) but my question is...

How come graphics cards with the same name have different manufactureres and looks? Are they the same card? Does it even matter which one you choose?

For example: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=geforce+gtx+970&sprefix=geforce+gtx+970%2Caps%2C304

Thanks

 

[Jonathan Cave]

AMD/NVIDIA licence 3rd party manufacturers to build custom PCB's and Fans / Water cooling for the GPU's architecture (it's brain!)

The Architecture is identical across all cards, however the PCB component positioning and the type of cooling solution varies which in 99% of the cases allows better cooling and more room for overclocking.

 

[ubercake]

The actual GPU is the same, but the way it's cooled may be different. Cards with more advanced cooling solutions can usually be overclocked more than those with the stock fan (though not always). Also, cards with more advanced cooling solutions (e.g more fans and larger heatsinks than on the standard version) are more likely to be factory overclocked which means the overclock they provide is covered by their warranty.

 

[MarkW]

AMD makes the chips. Their partners sell them. In most cases, the partners are allowed to create custom cooling solutions, sometimes can overclock the cards, and those kinds of things. Its called trying to offer cards to appeal to lots and lots of people.

Nvidia does exactly the same thing.

You cannot order a video card with just the AMD or just the Nvidia name brand on them. Both companies make the chips, and then sell them to their partners, who then sell them to the public.

 

[hoix]

aaaaah I understand now. So paying an extra 40 Pounds isn't really necessary as the only difference is temps, and overclock?

 

[MarkW]

Pretty much, yes.

 

[Jonathan Cave]

Hoix,

The overclock / temps are really beneficial if you want to overclock. otherwise you may as well buy the cheapest version of the card you can find if you dont plan to overclock.

 

[hoix]

Right thank you very much guys, Wish I could pick various as best solution. Will randomly select one of you