There’s something about getting to unbox a
piece of awesome hardware. Even when reviewing (seeing as how we don’t get to
keep most of the stuff we look at) there’s a moment of awe when that really
great item is revealed; a moment when you can’t help but saying “whoa”, even
under your breath. The latest top-notch Radeon chip graphics card from MSI had
that exact effect on us.
MSI
R7970 Lightning
We see a lot of graphics cards, but the MSI
R7970 Lightning is one that has really made an impression on us, in all
aspects. Aside from the blazing fast performance it delivers, even the actual
physical aesthetic of the card sets it apart.
Performance wise, it is excellent. The 7970
chipset is complemented by 3GB of GDDR5 RAM, which allows 5 for very quick
performance under all kinds of load, from "5 intense gaming to... well,
that’s really where it counts, isn’t it?
What MSI have done with this particular
graphics card - like they do with most of their graphics cards, in truth - is
take the reference model (the base card issued by the chipset manufacturer) and
improve on it. This is how different brands using the same chipsets distinguish
their products, and MSI have done a fantastic job in this regard.
Heat dissipation, for example, is taken
care of by a great system of high-density fin heat sinks, extra thick heat
pipes and a pair of Twin Frozr IV fans. These fans are a bit bigger than the
average, and even have been set-up to reverse direction for the first thirty
seconds of operation, which takes care of dust build up on the heat sinks. They
use propeller blade set-ups, too, which increase airflow.
In addition, they have taken their expected
Military Class III components a few steps further with this brand new card.
Copper MOSFET, highly conductive capacitors, golden solid state chokes and dark
solid capacitors all for part of the component line up, the overall result is
quieter operation, increased stability and longer lifespan.
And, vitally important to a card of this
specification, MSI have made sure that it is extremely overclockable. The
Triple Overvoltage system allows for every aspect of the card to be pumped with
more juice. In addition, a GPU Reactor built onto the back of the card allows
for more overclocking space, as well as improved stability under strain.
MSI
R7970 Lightning
With four DisplayPorts, 2 DVI ports and
components that usher in a degree of new thinking, the MSI R7970 certainly is a
card for enthusiasts to pay attention to. It’s fast. It’s reliable. And it is
expensive, yes, that too. But with this kind of card, you would expect a higher
price, and the performance it delivers is well worth the cost.
At a glance
Summary: Powerful
fast and full of new ideas - this card is perfect for enthusiasts and
overclockers…
Tech Specs: Radeon 7970 chipset, 3GB GDDR5 RAM, Military Class III, Triple
Overvoltage tech, GPU Reactor, 4 DisplayPorts
Manufacturer: MSI
Distributer: Pinnacle Africa
Website: www.pinnacle.co.za
RRP: R6
899
Pros: Very
quick, Nice new ideas, Quiet
Cons: Costly,
Fairly large
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