BFG GeForce 9600 GT OCX 512MB PCIe 2.0

Check around a little, and you'll understand why both BFG's 9600 GT OCX and 8800 GT OCX (November 2008 CPU, page 28) have garnered good reputations in the enthusiast community based on performance and value. As with the 8800 GT OCX, the midrange 9600 GT OCX uses BFG's nonreference ThermoIntelligence cooling design. The approach consits of an aluminium heatpipe, finned fansink, chrome-nickel plating, and green LED lighting emitting through clear fan blades. The card's memory and voltage regulators also get the heatsink treatment. BFG claims the setup lets the 9600 GT OCX run up to 18 degrees Celcius cooler than a stock card.

BFG ships the 9600 GT OCX running at factory "highest stable" overclocks of 725MHz vs. 650MHz core, 1,850Mhz vs. 1,800MHz memory. Not shabby considering the card was hovering around $150 online at press time. You will need two slots to accommodate the custom cooling.

Compared to a stock-cooled Gigabyte 9600 GT, the overclocked BFG 9600 GT OCX expectedly pulled away in every bench, although not by leaps and bounds in two gaming benches and in 3DMark Vantage GPU scores. Compared to a stock-cooled Gigabyte 9800 GT I found similarly priced online, the BFG card was right on pace across the board. If you're looking for a shot in performance at a fair price, BFG's 9600 GT OCX is a "cool" option.

by Blaine Flamig



www.bfgtech.com

Computer Power User January 2009