GeForce 7900 GS Group Test

EVGA e-GeForce 7900 GS KO 256MB:

Core Clock: 500MHz
Memory Clock: 1380MHz
Warranty: 10 years (parts and labour) & 90-day EVGA Step-Up Programme
HDCP Compliant? Yes
Price: TBA

Much like BFG Tech, EVGA has been one of NVIDIA's top partners in the USA over the last few years, as both offer unique extras that the other partners can't seem to match. EVGA has followed BFG Tech into the European market after opening up a European office in Germany in the first quarter of this year. Since then the company opened a dedicated UK office and many of the company's products are now available through the UK's major online e-tailers.

EVGA is looking to take market share from the likes of BFG Tech and XFX with competitively priced products coming with an impressive warranty service that includes an option to upgrade your video card in the first 90 days of ownership. This is great news for anyone waiting on DirectX 10 hardware - you can go out and enjoy today's games on a faster graphics card with the intention to upgrade in less than 90 days time.

The bundle is virtually the same as the one we saw with EVGA's e-GeForce 7900 GT KO Superclock, but it comes with a voucher for Half-Life 2: Episode One. Along with the game, there is a user manual, a driver/utility CD and a couple of EVGA case stickers. On the connectivity front, there are two DVI-to-VGA converters, an S-Video cable, a component out cable and a 6-pin PCI-Express power adapter. The box is typically well packed, with the card housed securely in a vacuum formed plastic mould.

EVGA has used the same cooler as the one we saw on the e-GeForce 7900 GT KO Superclock - this is EVGA's own cooling solution. It's a full copper construction and it covers the memory chips on the card. The 50mm fan is variable speed and quiet during 2D mode. However, it spins up to 100% in 3D mode and it is about as loud as the NVIDIA reference cooler. This isn't ideal, but the cooler does a good job of keeping the GPU and memory reasonably cool, even under load.

There is a total of 256MB of memory on the card, clocked at 1380MHz, while the core operates at 500MHz - that's 50MHz above NVIDIA's reference specification. EVGA has also included the same connectivity options as BFG Tech - there are two dual-link DVI ports and an HDTV-out mini-din connector on the back of the card.

This particular model comes with an HDCP crypto-ROM chip, but strangely EVGA lists five different GeForce 7900 GS models - some with and some without this crypto-ROM chip. Personally, I don't think that there needs to be five different models - it adds an un-needed confusion, especially when HDCP compliant and non-HDCP compliant cards have the same clock speeds. Be sure to check the model number when you purchase if you are looking for an HDCP complaint GeForce 7900 GS from EVGA.

Warranty & EVGA Step-Up Programme: In the UK, EVGA offers a 10 year warranty (equivalent to lifetime) and it follows the same terms as the US lifetime warranty. You can find full details of the warranty programme on the EVGA home page. For 24/7 European support and RMA services, you need to call 0049 8918904911 or email support-eu@evga.com. Along with this, EVGA also has a message board, where you can ask EVGA representatives about anything you'd like to know before or after purchasing an EVGA product.

One thing that sets EVGA above other NVIDIA partners is its support programme. When you purchase an EVGA video card, the company gives you the chance to step up to something better in the first 90 days after the initial purchase. In order to qualify for this, you must purchase your EVGA video card from an authorised reseller - purchasing a card from eBay or another auction site does not qualify you for the Step-Up programme. You can read the full terms and conditions on EVGA's website.

Everyone knows that DirectX 10 and Windows Vista are just around the corner, as is DirectX 10-class hardware. We know that many people are waiting for DirectX 10 hardware too. However, the beauty of EVGA's Step-Up programme allows you to purchase a new video card now and then upgrade to one of NVIDIA's next-generation products in a few months time.

Providing you meet EVGA's very reasonable terms and conditions, you will get the full amount you paid knocked off the cost of the card you're upgrading to. Obviously, you can't keep stepping up to something faster - EVGA allows you to complete one Step-up on each video card purchase; the Step-up doesn't count as a purchase.