We mentioned the other day when we checked out the BFG GeForce 9600 GT OC2 edition that BFG had recently expanded its overclock line-up with the addition of the OC2 and OCX models. While the GeForce 9600 GT only goes to OC2 suffix, the GeForce 9800 GTX is the first model to make use of the OCX naming scheme. The OCX naming is the highest level of overclock from BFG. While the company has been a bit conservative with overclocks over the past year, they felt it's time to kick it up a notch and expand upon the popular OC naming scheme. Let's find out if they have done anything to the package next to the lifetime warranty that they've become extremely well known for. - TweakTown

BFG GeForce 9800 GTX OCX 512MB Graphics Review

Unlike other companies, BFG dont have the need to use a massive box for their higher end cards. We have a box that is the same size as the GeForce 9600 GT OC2 box along with all the standard information you would expect. The top left makes note of the brand while the top right lets you clearly know that the card is a PCI Express one. Across the bottom we can clearly see the model along with the fact that it comes with a total of 512MB of GDDR3 memory. Above that we have mention of the lifetime warranty and technical support. Finally, above this we see the OCX logo along with a bit of a blurb on overclocking.

On the back of the box we have a bit of a run down on BFG along with some of the main technology implemented into the GeForce 9800 GTX. We also have the table in the bottom corner that shows us where this card really shines. With the package out of the way, it's time to move onto the card itself. It doesn't come as any real surprise that BFG has opted to use the reference cooler from NVIDIA. This isn't a bad choice as the default cooling solution is extremely adequate. BFG has of course included a sticker on the card along with making note that the card is the OCX model of the 9800 GTX graphics card.

Of course, following the reference design we do have the standard two 6-pin PCI Express connectors located towards the back of the card, while we have two SLI connectors across the top. We also have a little port next to the SLI connectors which is for the included loop back cable that lets you get sound though the HDMI connector. At stock speeds the GeForce 9800 GTX comes with a 675MHz core, 1688MHz shader and 2200MHz effective memory clock on the 512MB of GDDR3 memory. The BFG comes in with a 755MHz core, 1890MHz shader and 2300MHz effective memory clock which is a very nice increase as such.

We've been quite a fan of the GeForce 9800 GTX from the word go, this simply due to the plain fact that it's brought good performance at a reasonable price. While the BFG OCX is one of the more expensive GeForce 9800 GTX cards on the market, the lifetime warranty and healthy overclock make it quite an attractive purchase. While the GeForce 9800 GTX at the higher resolution is for the most part slower than the more expensive GeForce 9800 GX2, it still offers excellent performance. If you have an SLI motherboard as well, we would be optioning for a pair of GeForce 9800 GTX cards versus a single GeForce 9800 GX2 card.

If you're on an Intel based chipset where SLI isn't an option, we're also probably still leaning towards the GTX due to the plain fact that on a whole it offers a whole lot better performance to price ratio. With all this said though, who knows where the GeForce 9800 series of cards are going to be in a few weeks once the new GT200 based cards are on the market. Will NVIDIA drop the price of these cards or will we simply see them discontinued? Our bet is that the GeForce 9800 GTX is probably still going to fill a price gap that won't be seen with the GT200 line-up of graphics cards come launch day in the quite near future.

Either way, it's hard not to be impressed with the offering from BFG. If you're in the market for a graphics card that you expect to keep for years to come, or you're just finding that when it comes time to sell it, the fact it has a lifetime warranty is more attractive, then you can't go wrong with the BFG GeForce 9800 GTX version.