More BFG 6800 Ultra 512MB

Most GeForce 6800 Ultra cards come equipped with a 400 MHz graphics core and memory operating at 1.1 GHz. BFG’s 256MB offering elevates that core frequency to 425 MHz while maintaining the RAM speed. This 512MB variant retains some extra performance on the core side with the 425 MHz core, but sacrifices a little memory bandwidth by dropping 50 MHz to contend with a higher electrical load. For what it’s worth, our 256MB 6800 Ultra cards from ASUS also feature 425 MHz core clocks, meaning BFG isn’t alone in its pursuit of performance.

Naturally, the card’s core specifications remain unchanged. It wields 16 parallel pixel pipelines, Shader Model 3.0 compliance, and PureVideo technology. Absolutely nothing is different about the graphics processor itself. Memory is one of only two variables here.

Copper cooling inside

Samsung 1.6ns GDDR3 modules

Additional power and cooling on the 512MB card

GeForce 6800 Ultra Comparison
Card	Core Clock Speed (MHz)	Memory Clock Speed (MHz)	Memory Size	MSRP
BFG GeForce 6800 Ultra OC 512MB	425	525	512MB	$999
BFG GeForce 6800 Ultra OC 256MB	425	550	256MB	$499
GeForce 6800 Ultra reference	400	550	256MB	$499
BFG GeForce 6800 GT OC	370	500	256MB	$399
GeForce 6800 GT reference	350	500	256MB	$399

The idea is that anyone with enough money to buy one or two of these 512MB cards is also planning to use a nice display. Thankfully, BFG had the foresight to employ two, dual-link DVI connectors, each of which supports resolutions up to 2048x1536 at 85Hz. You’ll get away with up to 1920x 1080 at 60 Hz using the single-link port featured on 256MB Ultra cards. But if you really want to go big, Apple’s 30-inch Cinema HD display, for instance, requires a dual-link DVI output for operation (BFG’s product manager makes the clarification that the 30-inch Cinema HD is not supported in SLI mode, though). Previously, this was a feature only available on high-end Quadro cards, so including it with the GeForce 6800 Ultra is a big deal for graphics professionals.

Understanding that those improvements alone make it hard to stomach a $999 purchase, BFG bundles the card with a handful of value-added extras. There’s an 80mm case fan with blue LED lighting, Teflon pads for the bottom of your mouse, a t-shirt that lets everyone know you bought a 512MB graphics card, and a full copy of Far Cry. Though the bundle doesn’t make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, Far Cry is a great game and the other items are each useful in their own ways. Just don’t wear that t-shirt on a first date.