This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:23:02
The video nostalgically reflects on the innovative history of NVIDIA and EVGA, emphasizing their past creativity and technological advancements, such as CPU-less BIOS updates and asymmetrical cooling. The host embarks on building an ultimate EVGA PC using various components from EVGA, discussing notable products like the 7950 GX2 GPU and the 980 Ti Kingpin, co-developed with Vince Lucido.
EVGA's journey in motherboard manufacturing is explored, from early NVIDIA reference designs to Intel chipset motherboards, highlighting the XL-ATX motherboard’s four-way SLI capability. The presenter showcases an EVGA Classified SR2 and a Z790 Dark Kingpin motherboard, lauding their impressive features despite practical size constraints.
Key features of the build include exterior cable management, high-quality components like the EVGA RTX 3090 Ti GPU, and a fully modular Supernova 1600 T2 power supply. EVGA’s customer-centric policies, such as lifetime warranties and upgrade programs, are also praised. They explore various EVGA peripherals, including the triple-sensor X20 mouse and the XR1 Pro capture card.
The video also reminisces about less successful innovations, like the Interview 1700 dual monitor system with its ambitious, albeit poorly timed, features. They tackle display issues with older EVGA devices and discuss EVGA's market exit from graphics cards due to unfavorable market conditions and chip manufacturer restrictions.
EVGA's pivot towards power supplies and future uncertainties are considered, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the tech industry. The video closes with a mention of EVGA ending their partnership with NVIDIA, reflecting broader industry trends and their impact on innovation and profitability.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the host expresses nostalgia for the innovative days of NVIDIA and its board partners, highlighting past innovations such as asymmetrical cooling and CPU-less BIOS updates. The host introduces a box of graphics cards from EVGA and announces plans to build an “ultimate EVGA PC” using components from the box, including GPU, motherboard, power supply, and RAM. As they build, they’ll reminisce about EVGA’s best and worst innovations. The segment features a special guest and humorously discusses the history and some unique products, like EVGA’s 7950 GX2 GPU. The host also humorously plugs their sponsor, Ugreen, and its 13-in-1 RevoDoc Max 213.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the discussion revolves around the performance and cost-effectiveness of combining multiple lower-end graphics cards versus single high-end ones, highlighting issues with engineering such setups. They mention NVIDIA’s restriction on partner-built cards and reminisce about the creative freedom and fun in earlier card designs.
Next, they focus on the 980 Ti Kingpin developed with Vince Lucido, emphasizing its enhanced power capacity, increased by additional power connectors and superior cooling design. The conversation then shifts to the 9800 GX2, detailing its various overclocked versions and the aesthetic appeal influencing purchase decisions. They humorously discuss the cringy design aspects of some cards, noting that GPU builds often start with motherboards.
Finally, they provide a brief history of EVGA’s involvement in motherboard manufacturing, starting in 2005, transitioning from NVIDIA reference designs to innovative Intel chipset motherboards, and achieving milestones like creating an XL-ATX motherboard for four-way SLI.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the presenter discusses the EVGA Classified SR2 motherboard, highlighting its unique ability to overclock dual Intel Xeon processors and support up to four graphics cards in SLI. Despite its impressive features, the motherboard’s size prevents current usage due to lack of compatible cases. Instead, the presenter utilizes a Z790 Dark Kingpin motherboard, which supports 12th to 14th gen Intel processors, DDR5 memory, and PCIe Gen 5 GPU for optimal performance. The segment also notes EVGA innovations, such as right-angle connectors on the P67FTW, and mentions using third-party RAM and storage. The presenter underscores the difficulty in obtaining EVGA’s DG85 case, which is highly sought after by its owners.
00:09:00
In this segment, the video discusses various aspects and features of a computer build, focusing on exterior cable management and the clean look achieved by hiding cables behind a door. The build has easily removable dust filters and triple front fans. The conversation transitions to discuss the feasibility of fitting an SR2 board in the case, ultimately deciding to build a more realistic, everyday computer. They introduce an almost $200 closed-loop cooler (CLC-X) from EVGA, explaining its recent configurations and compatibility. The history of EVGA is briefly covered, emphasizing their pioneering efforts in seamless driver installation and the introduction of ECO mode in power supplies. They highlight the use of the fully modular, 80 plus titanium efficient Supernova 1600 T2 power supply. The video concludes by showcasing the EVGA RTX 3090 Ti GPU and EVGA’s initiatives to support gamers, including their anti-scalper queue system and step-up program.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, the discussion initially revolves around EVGA’s customer-friendly policies, including offering lifetime warranties on GPUs and a 90-day upgrade policy. The video then shifts to solving the puzzle of where a piece of acrylic with the EVGA logo should be installed, which is eventually placed inside the window of a case for a cleaner look. As they proceed, the presenters showcase various EVGA peripherals, including the Torx X10 desk pad, X20 mouse, Z20 keyboard, and XR1 Pro capture card. Notably, the X20 mouse is described as the world’s first triple sensor mouse with a Pixar 3335 optical sensor and dual liftoff distance detection sensors.
The focus then moves to an older EVGA product, the interview 1700 dual monitor system, highlighting its features and the issues that led to its commercial failure. Despite its innovative design, which included integrated 1.3-megapixel swivel webcams, it struggled due to poor market timing and misalignment with EVGA’s primarily gamer-focused audience.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses an all-in-one device that features a built-in microphone and three USB-A ports, noting that its launch timing during the COVID pandemic would have been more advantageous. They highlight the unusual DMS59 connector used for dual monitors, which each run at 1440×900 resolution, and humorously reminisce about old monitor resolution names. The device’s key feature—its dual monitors—is demonstrated, albeit with criticisms of the TN panels’ mediocre specs, including a 500:1 contrast ratio, 220-nit peak brightness, and 8ms response time. Despite the subpar display quality, it is noted that the device would have been impressive for office use in its time. The team then focuses on getting the device up and running, troubleshooting issues with outdated components, and eventually prepare to play games, observing noticeable motion blur and ghosting issues. They wrap up by determining the rig’s performance, appreciating its quiet operation, and consider closing it up.
00:18:00
In this segment of the video, the participants discuss the aesthetics of a newly built PC case, deciding to wait for the SR2 build to fully unveil it. They then proceed to play a video game, encountering significant issues with the monitor, including bad image quality and high input lag. This makes aiming difficult, leading to frustration and frequent complaints about the peripherals. Despite the challenges, one of the participants manages to get a headshot. The segment concludes with a mention of EVGA’s decision to end their partnership with NVIDIA and exit the graphics card market, attributing this move to market conditions favoring chip manufacturers.
00:21:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the challenges faced by EVGA, including thin margins and restrictions from chip manufacturers that hindered innovation. They express concerns over the rising costs of graphics cards and highlight EVGA’s shift in focus towards power supplies, suggesting uncertainty about the company’s future and its ability to honor long-term warranties. Additionally, the video promotes Guardio, a service designed to protect users from online threats like phishing and malware, emphasizing its features and benefits. Links to EVGA products and Guardio are provided in the video description.