So I intend to (eventually) purchase 2 EVGA GTX480's for a watercooled gaming pc and was wondering about the different levels of cards.

Does EVGA screen the GPU's for their overclocking ability to decide which will become standard, SuperClocked, or FTW editions?  In other words, would FTW cards consistently reach higher overclocks than standard cards with the same cooling solution?

I ask because I am debating between using FTW cards with their stock waterblocks, or buying standard cards and adding EK waterblocks to them.

it´s been a while since the last SSC Card :/

owcraftsman

EVGA_JacobF

Yes they are.

Just how then are they binned?
What are the requirements?

I've been reading a couple thread that have now peaked my curiosity and gave me cause for concern at the same time.

http://www.xtremesystems....howthread.php?t=259404

Seems that peeps here think EVGA's methods are weak/"poor mans" at best.

Nvidia256The problem is with Fermi. They just slap a sticker on it. They can do this since the SC versions are a mere 25Mhz overclock. It's almost as if EVGA uses it an a way to distinguish/aDD variance to there product line. The only real benefit to buying a SC+ (not the SC) is the backplate and high flow bracket it comes with.

Nvidia256Do doubt. Binning refers to the sorting of chips at the factory. What EVGA does is the poor mans version, and they not even do that anymore.

Can you please clarify?

Also I was wondering if there is any truth to this:

Easy method to predict OC capabilities in current Nvidia GPU's

From what I've seen they may not be binned for overclocking but are binned/tested for SC and FTW speeds. Seems for the most part everyone gets between 850-900mhz regardless of what model. Now for the SC and FTW cards, if the factory voltage was at 1.075 and was tested at FTW speeds, chances are that it would fail EVGA testing methods, hence why most FTW cards tend to have lower Vcore. Both of My SC cards have a default voltage of 1.038 and OC fine to 900mhz @ 1.100volts using afterburner software. So to OP, if you decide to buy a SC or FTW card, chances are you will get to at least 850mhz plus if you buy a AR part number model, you get EVGA's lifetime warranty. Good luck with upgrade and have fun with it. Just my 2 cents on the matter though. 

Like Jacob said they are pre tested this is how it goes
the wafers/silicon slabs they are manufactured on the ones in the center are normally of the higher quality, sometimes the entire wafer is full of gems. But what nvidia does is take those possible gems from the center and put them aside putting them on gpus and marks them as such, Then they go out to the vendors.

The vendors once they get them will test these bin marked cards nvidia has given them, first at FTW specs if they pass the grueling benchmarks and test they get marked as FTW, If they fail they get marked at SSC"not the case right now" If they pass they get marked as SSC if they fail they get put though the SC test, same thing but if they fail they get tested one more time at stock if they pass they are vanillas if they fail no clue what evga/vendors do with them.

At this point they are all boxed up the correct bios is on them for thier speeds and they are shipped out.

The vanillas not sure if they are pre tested or not too much work and money tbh and that would be alot of cards to be tested. This brings me back to the nvidia manufacturing you get those batches that the entire or most of the wafer produces gems  even on the outer edges and you get a vanilla card that is just as good or better than say a FTW.

There is an article some where on the net with how EVGA does thier testing in germany. I am sure someone will find the article for you to look at=)