Like most NVIDIA models, the GeForce GTX 285 is beginning to feel a bit long in the tooth. While there is really nothing wrong with the card, it feels like we've been testing these models for ages now. We went from these rapid releases of graphics cards that saw models coming out once a month to nothing new for an extensive period. That doesn't mean we can't see companies mix models up and this is what Gigabyte has done. By doubling the memory on their GeForce GTX 285 from 1GB to 2GB, Gigabyte hopes to make this model a bit more exciting. And there is more than meets the eye though. With the 2GB model also comes higher clock speeds and slighly improved PCB manufacturing. - TweakTown

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 285 2GB Oc Graphics Preview

Since our GeForce GTX 285 from Gigabyte came to us quite early, it didn't have a full retail box. With that said though, we're sure it will follow a pretty standard design. Looking at the board itself, there isn't really much we haven't seen before when it comes to overall design. So Gigabyte, like most companies has opted for the reference cooler which we have seen many times already. Gigabyte has of course mixed it up by adding their own sticker to the cooler which lets us know the model and brand, while also telling us that it's part of the ultra durable series. We can also see Gigabyte has placed a sticker on the fan.

Closer to the front of the card we have our two SLI connectors which gives us the ability to run up to three of these cards together, giving us a full whopping 6GB of total graphics card memory. As we mentioned before, there was something going on with the clock speeds of the 2GB model we have got from Gigabyte. While the model is an overclocked one, the clocks on the memory are actually down when compared to a default 1GB model. Though this is just due to the fact that higher density memory modules are needed. Like the Galaxy model we looked at a while back, the memory clock is slightly down.

The first thing we have to say is that it was so good of Gigabyte to increase the core clock to compensate for the drop in memory clock. We have to admit that their OC naming is a bit of a stretch, but at the end of the day it is overclocked and it should be advertised like that, so we really can't have a go at Gigabyte about just that. Performance is good, we're not sure how much the extra memory helps, which isn't anything new. The biggest appeal about having a 2GB graphics card isn't the performance, but the fact that you can tell people you have one. Sure it's superficial, but that's the world we live in as you all know.

And as far as the bundle goes, it's very Gigabyte. While there isn't anything that really stands out, but there is everything we need. So again, it's not something we can really complain about. All in all we have got a pretty mean board on our hands that packs some good performance and when it comes to a graphics card, there isn't a whole lot more you can ask for. If you are looking for a GeForce GTX 285 that packs some extra memory while offering slightly better performance the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 285 2GB OverClock model we have today is just simply impressive. And a cooling design of their own would have made it more special.

Now at around $399 over at Newegg you are paying more than the 1GB model by about $80. While not worth it to some, others are going to be more than happy to spend the extra dollars to get a 2GB strong GeForce GTX 285 that packs some extra performance.