KitGuru KitGuru.net – Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards
We have reviewed many HD6970's this year and the HIS HD6970 IceQ Turbo Edition is one of the best we have reviewed. This is high praise especially as there is such stiff competition in the £200-£250 sector.
Aesthetically, the card could be classed as a bit of an eyesore. Personally I don't mind the appearance, but it will certainly divide opinion. Feedback from previous HIS reviews indicate that our readership find the ICEQ cooler to be rather unattractive, but to be fair this should be a side issue, especially as it is technically very capable indeed.
When compared against the reference design, HIS claim temperature reductions of 23c. This card certainly operates at reduced temperatures, but the claims are rather optimistic. We recorded around 70c under load, which is around 5-8c less than our reference card. On a much more positive note and partly due to a very relaxed fan profile, the HIS HD6970 IceQ Turbo Edition is one of the quietest high end solutions we have tested and is a massive improvement when compared with AMD's reference edition. It isn't only proven with our sophisticated recording equipment, but it is immediately noticeable to the naked ear.
AMD's power efficiency is much better than Nvidia's and we particularly like the fact that we can game across three screens if the need arises. If you want multiple screens and also would like to play the latest games, then the HD6970 is one of the best cards to buy.
What other cards should you shortlist? MSI's R6970 Lightning Twin Frozr III is quite possibly the best card in this range although it is significantly more expensive. The Asus HD6970 Direct CU II is another solution which would make it into our shortlist, as it combines fantastic cooling with the highest levels of build quality, negatively it is a three slot design which might be a problem for some people.
The HIS HD6970 IceQ Turbo Edition isn't as fast as the MSI R6970 Lightning Twin Frozr III and the cooler isn't as good as the Direct CU II on the Asus board, but as an overall package it really makes a lot of sense. If you can live with the gaudy see-through cooler design, it combines very high levels of performance with one of the lowest noise emissions we have recorded for a card in this range. If noise is a problem for you then this could very well be a perfect, high performance partner.
Pros:
- cooler is really quiet
- build quality is high
- price point is competitive
Cons:
- looks won't appeal to everyone
- no free game
KitGuru says: A well designed HD6970, fine tuned to be as quiet as possible. Thanks to the cooler design, the fan spins very slowly at all times, even under extended load.
I really would love to know what they are thinking with these coolers’ they are so mad looking id love to see the development team behind them 🙂
Great cards though, as has been proven over the last year.
I like the appearance ! its very different. the price seems to be good. most of them are 280?
This is a far east design, they don’t get enough feedback from westerners with their card design. look at the difference between sapphire and HIS for designs.
I am not saying its a problem for HIS, but the differences are in the cultural designs between the companies.
They aren’t a make I normally look at. this is one ugly card. Not sure I could get past that.
The only problem for me is that the GTX570 is a better card and faster. I doubt many people use more than one monitor. its pointless saying its any different.
24 inch screen 1920×1080 is the average ‘enthusiast’ panel size and res
What a bonkers design, someone has been on the jack daniels during the design phase
Sapphire for me im afraid,. I dont think HIS have a reptuation yet for these kind of cards.
Temps are high IMO too.
How far is that over the edge of the PCB? that might prove a fitting issue in some cases I would think
People always bitch about HIS, ive owned three of their cards and I think they aer very good. warranty is always strong with retailers too. no problems buying one.
great product, id buy this, but its a little much for me im happy with my 5 series card. waiting for 7 series !
Is it just me or are there just too many cards out on the market to keep track of? I keep forgetting who has what out. The MSI card is the best imo, but its over 300 still I think
Two of these in CFx would be great. 6 screen gaming possible? 3×3 side by side and vertically mounted? might need three of them? anyone know?
Someone in that company has been on the tequila during a design phase of this card!
It works well, thats the funny thing…
Looks like we are back at 2000.
How come another site got theres upto 1050mhz core clock at 70 degrease none the less?
Every card is different, they don’t all overclock the same. Some publications use different methods to test temperatures.
Thanks for the quick reply 🙂