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Today we are using an overclocked Core i7 970 system which is running at 4.33ghz. We compare against some lower specified AMD boards to judge how an ‘upgrade' could improve your gaming experience.
Processor: Core i7 970 @ 4.33ghz
Cooling: Coolit Vantage
Motherboard: MSI X58A-GD65
Chassis: Thermaltake Level 10 GT
Power Supply: Corsair AX1200
Memory: 6GB ADATA @ 2133mhz 9-10-9-32
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V+ 512GB Gen 2 SSD (Storage) / Crucial RealSSD C300 256GB (OS boot)
Monitors: Sharp Aquos 50 inch LCD 1080p.
Comparison Cards:
HD6870
HD6790
HD6770
HD6670
Software:
Windows 7 Enterprise 64 bit
Catalyst 10.10
Unigine Heaven Benchmark
3DMark Vantage
3DMark 11
Fraps Professional
Steam Client
FurMark
Technical Monitoring and Test Equipment:
Nikon D3X with R1C1 kit
Keithley Integra unit
Thermal Diodes
Raytek Laser Temp Gun 3i LSRC/MT4 Mini Temp
Extech digital sound level meter & SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter
Games:
HomeFront
Alien V Predator
Dead Island
Tom Clancy HAWX 2
Resident Evil 5
Lost Planet 2
Far Cry 2
F1 2011
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
All the latest BIOS updates and drivers are used during testing. We perform generally under real world conditions, meaning KitGuru tests games across five closely matched runs and then average out the results to get an accurate median figure. If we use scripted benchmarks, they are mentioned on the relevant page.
Some game descriptions are edited from Wikipedia.
Very nice, shame it looks like a fisher price toy …
Ordering one, my friend has a IceQ card and I agree its basically silent.
Simple fact is, once it is shoved in a case you never see it again. its not that bad though. its different I like different
wow quite surprised it was that good, my HD6950 hits 88c in furmark 🙁
Whats their UK warranty like. no info on it? do you return it to OCUK or not? they shafted me before with a motherboard and no one helped.
It shows that a small fan isnt necessary bad. they have used massive heatpipes and a huge venting area to ensure it spins slowly. nice idea. shame they dont do a black cooler version. I have a case window mod with lights and this would look hideous in it. (all red lighting in my case)
seems like a very good product indeed
Seems to be the best 6950 around. You didn’t point it out, but the fact that this is also a rear exhaust card makes it pretty amazing.
And I think some black paint might help it out a bit.