Does anyone know how EVGA picks the Classified's GPU? Do they test every core they get or is it just a higher quality die? I'm about to get a 2nd 780 and wondering if the classified is that much better than the reference oc'd version. I will be oc'ing it so the faster the better and if the GPU really is cherry picked from the die then I will prob go with that.

Simply put: I doubt it, but of course I could be wrong.

as far as I know the FTW and Classified cards are pre tested binned chips, and reference clock and SC cards are just normal.

Jacob has posted a semi-explanation of this on OCN before.

If I recall correctly, basically, the chips themselves aren't binned at all. In other words, they don't test all their chips and save the best for the Classifieds. They do, however, make sure that the cards can run at advertised speeds at default settings, and certainly not all can.

He kind of hinted that, because of this, they do have the option to release another model (like Classy LE or something) with the cards they have that didn't pass "binning."

The Classified basically truncates the distribution of max clocks at the bottom end, but really says nothing about the top end. You aren't guaranteed to get a great clocker, but you are guaranteed not to get a terrible clocker.

thebski
Jacob has posted a semi-explanation of this on OCN before.
If I recall correctly, basically, the chips themselves aren't binned at all. In other words, they don't test all their chips and save the best for the Classifieds. They do, however, make sure that the cards can run at advertised speeds at default settings, and certainly not all can.
He kind of hinted that, because of this, they do have the option to release another model (like Classy LE or something) with the cards they have that didn't pass "binning."
The Classified basically truncates the distribution of max clocks at the bottom end, but really says nothing about the top end. You aren't guaranteed to get a great clocker, but you are guaranteed not to get a terrible clocker.

 
So, I'm pretty sure this question has been asked numerous times but what does binning mean? Is it just a term for testing the semiconductors frequency?
Also in other words, the overclock ability is just the luck of the draw like the CPU lottery?

The GPU's are not binned, but the entire card is.

EVGA_JacobF

The GPU's are not binned, but the entire card is.

 
lol ok I was close to correct

Is binning just testing the frequency?

Yes, verifying the stability.