Because we received this sample with a non-retail BIOS intended only for press, it does not qualify for one of our awards.
I don't get this part. If this PC World, I get it. But this is supposed to be an "enthusiast" site. MSI provides a utility that lets you switch between 3 modes with the click of a button. So why not test with all 3 ? If ya wanna make a comparison table, flip the switch back to what is shipping to everyone else. If testing PCs, would a unit be disqualified because they "flipped the switch" to XMP ... why not, it's not the default setting when the RAM is installed in the MoBo ... so how is this different ?
The reason that I don't bother reading THG GFX card reviews is because THG doesn't look at overclocking. It's not that MSI cheated by using a BIOS that was unavailable to anyone else, the objection here is that MSI supplied a card to an enthusiast site and "flipped a switch" for the press that any owner of the card could also do, and since they very clearly disclose on all their ads, is not disingenuous in any way:
1594 MHz (OC Mode)
1569 MHz (Gaming Mode)
1506 MHz (Silent Mode)
I really don't see what a card that offers all their users a performance option, why any site representing itself to be performance oriented would not test in the performance mode ... or at the very least, test the default and performance or even all 3. AMD basically has all the cards shipping in "performance mode" since the 2xx series... hence why the OC headroom is so small.
It's kinda like saying, "Well we didn't test the [insert SUV model here] because the SUVs delivered to the press for the off-road test had the dial on the dash board already set to 4WD". The only ones eligible for award consideration are the ones that are delivered with the dial set to 2WD." But if i am considering buy a SUV for its off-road performance, I want it in the mode that best addresses those conditions. Same with my GFX cards.
I'm not saying that out of the box performance should be ignored ... it seems perfectly logical to ship the cards at the middle setting which balances the two extremes. Again, if i was reading PC World, this would be my expectation .... if I was reading a review at silentpcreview,com, the Silent setting I would expect to be the focus of the review. But if I am looking for a review of a particular card, I am going to be interested in a review that addresses how the card is going to perform the way I intend to use it. Again, nothing stopping any reviewer from "flipping the switch" back to the default setting if you want to do an article focus only on "what is shipping". Why not a table listing 3 columns with Silent Mode - Gamer Mode - OC Model. if the option is offered, then just put NA in that column.
Yes, the reviewer should advise readers that this **is an option** and not the default setting ... but to suggest that they "pulled something" as opposed to just stating that an option was utilized or flipping the switch back does a disservice to the reader who may find the option attractive.