BFG PCI-E 6800 GT OC 256MB

So to me, even though the card rocks through all the tests, it takes a big hit due to the temperature. Normal 6800 GT’s usually will max at 70ºC, but this one maxes at 90ºC, with the door off and a special fan mounted in there. Looking around the web, it’s not only me with this problem, it’s happened to others with the same card. If the card was able to be kept more cool, with a special cooler, or a lower ambient room temperature, overclocking would be much better, I’m sure. I could see a nice OC of 440/1150 easy if the temperature was kept under control.

Looking past the temperature problems, this is still a fantastic card. It screams through all the current games at 1280 * 1024, max details, with ease. Currently, the only Nvidia card faster than this one is the 6800 Ultra. Not for long though, as the 7800 GTX is supposed to be released within weeks. Chances are, when the new series is released, then this card, and other 6800 GT/Ultra’s should go down in price.

It’s been rumored that once the 7800 GTX is released, (Could be equivalent to GT, or Ultra), that Nvidia is going to hold off releasing anything else until ATI releases their R520 Core based cards. When released, the 7800 GTX will cost around ~$700US. Since the 6800 GT I reviewed costs ~$400US, we may not see price drops right off the bat. We have also not seen any real benchmarks either. SLi’d 6800 GT’s may blow a 7800 GTX out of the water, we just don’t know yet.

Unless you are in bad need for a great video card, I would hold off for at least a month. If you were to buy a 6800 GT now, however, I would recommend getting an eVGA, XFX or MSI based, considering I have had bad temperatures with this BFG. The great thing about the BFG though, is that it comes with a Lifetime Warranty. If you leave your card untouched physically, and it ever dies on you, they are more than ready to swap it for you. If you like the sound of that, and are willing to put up with high temperatures, this may be your best choice.

If anyone reading this owns the same card, please let me know if you’ve personally had any of the temperature issues I have. I’m looking to hear from people who are still using the stock cooler though, not a special one. Whatever your experience either way, I will add it to the end of this review for others to note. You can let me know at rob [dot] williams [at] techgage [dot] com.

For those interested in the results of the card on a fully overclocked system, they are as follows:

Questions? Comments? Flames? Please feel free to leave a comment in our discussion thread here. No registration is required to post in our article related threads! You can also contact me directly at rob [dot] williams [at] techgage [dot] com. I really appreciate any comments and constructive criticism.

Adam: I have an extreme case of high temperature as well, with this card. I have 5 intake fans and 4 exhaust, (including the two PSU fans), and I still get temperatures sometimes reaching as high as 120. When it does reach that temperature, the entire system crashes. I get artifacts then the video dies then the system freezes. Other times, (for still unexplained reasons Video will die but sound keeps going, meaning I can still use the second monitor if I have it plugged in.