Foxconn FV-N88SMBD2-ONOC (8800 GTS)

Overclocking:

We overclocked Foxconn's FV-N88SMBD2-ONOC using a combination of NVIDIA's nTune software and ATiTool version 0.26 (which supports overclocking GeForce 8800-series video cards). While the current driver doesn't have support for shader clock adjustments yet, NVIDIA has promised that feature in a future driver release. The ETA on that driver is not clear at this moment in time, though.

The default clock speeds for Foxconn's pre-overclocked 8800 GTS are 575MHz core and 900/1800MHz on the memory. These are actually the reference clock speeds on the flagship GeForce 8800 GTX, but obviously there are only 96 stream processors, 20 ROPs and a 320-bit wide memory interface.

After some playing around, we managed to get the card stable at 612MHz core and 1809MHz on the memory. The core clock was in line with what we achieved on BFGTech's GeForce 8800 GTS last month, but the memory overclocking was substantially worse on Foxconn's card. It's fair to say that there isn't any additional headroom in Foxconn's pre-overclocked card and we're also a little disappointed on that front - we were expecting a little more from it.

Final Thoughts...

Foxconn has done very little wrong with its pre-overclocked GeForce 8800 GTS, and there are several notably good things about the product. First off, the bundle is different in a good way - many add-in card partners ship bolster their video card's appeal with games that are often getting a little long in the tooth, or aren't worth wasting your time on.

Foxconn opted not to include any games with its FV-N88SMBD2-ONOC; instead, the company included a game controller that actually isn't too bad. Having said that though, it's not going to replace my wired Xbox 360 controller. Also, the controller is going to be fairly useless to you if you've already got a favourite game controller, or you don't play any games that would benefit from a game pad.

Performance wise, the FV-N88SMBD2-ONOC not surprisingly outperformed the BFGTech GeForce 8800 GTS, thanks to its higher out of the box clock frequencies. However, there were occasions at 1920x1200 where the image quality benefits were small or non-existent. Having said that though, the performance differences between this and BFGTech's cards are likely to increase as and when newer games are released.

One problem at the moment is that the card isn't available to purchase and current pricing estimates indicate that the card will cost around £350 including VAT. At this price, Foxconn's overclocked GeForce 8800 GTS sits right in between BFGTech's 8800 GTS (at around £300 including VAT) and a slew of GeForce 8800 GTX cards that come in for just under £400. This the card's major downfall because unless you don't want to overclock one of the cheaper 8800 GTS's (like the one from BFGTech) or you can't afford to spend an extra £50 on a considerably faster video card, this isn't the card for you.

If you're looking for a bargain-basement GeForce 8800 GTS, Palit's card is available for less than £260 including VAT. While we haven't tested that card (and thus can't make a solid recommendation to buy it), it does make Foxconn's FV-N88SMBD2-ONOC all the more expensive.

The other minor niggle with the card is the warranty term - I'd prefer it if it was a little longer than the required two-year warranty that currently comes with the card. Let's face it, this card is a high-end video card and it is going to cost you the best part of £350, I'd like to think I had a reasonably long term warranty. Both BFGTech and EVGA have set themselves apart from the pack with extended after sales support and I feel that it's about time more add-in board partners showed the same kind of commitment to the customers.

With all of that said, there's nothing intrinsically wrong with Foxconn's card because it performs very well and it's one to consider if the price is right. At the moment though, that looks to be its downfall.

Update 12/01/07:

Foxconn got back to us this morning regarding the price and it's good news on that front. Company representatives tell us that the card will now be priced at around £320 including VAT, with stock arriving "in the next week or so". We will keep our eyes peeled for availability and update you when the card is on sale. Obviously, at £320 (instead of £350) the card's value for money prospects will change significantly and if the lower pricing becomes a reality, Foxconn's card represents a very worthwhile purchase.