Custom Radeon HD 7870 graphics cards
for your gaming PC.
AMD’s upper mid-range Radeon HD 7800 series
cards, code-named Pitcairn, are positioned in the sweet spot between value and
performance: More affordable than AMD’s double the power of the basic mid-range
Cape Verde HD 7700 series. With upper mid-range cards forming the bulk of
consumer purchases, it’s no surprise that almost every AMD add-in partner has
their own version (and in some cases, multiple versions) of the Radeon HD 7870.
We’ve taken five of the most popular custom card brands, and put them to the
test to see which is deserving of your hard-earned cash.
Feature & design
ASUS Radeon HD 7870 DirectCU II TOP
The ASUS Radeon HD 7870 DirectCU II TOP uses
a custom PCB and is factory-overclocked from the default 1000 MHz, to 1100 MHz
on the core, with memory going up to 5000 MHz DDR. ASUS uses its popular
DirectCU II cooling system, which comprises of six copper heat pipes in direct
contact with the GPU. Two of these heat pipes extend onto the heat sink
directly over the GPU, while the other four extend to another elevated heat sink
at the far end of the card, designed to let the dual fans blow all the way
across the cooling fins and exhaust heat more efficiently. Ports-wise, the card
is the same as reference and offers one DVI-D port, two DisplayPort ports, and
one HDMI port. Like the reference card, it requires two 6-pin Molex PCle power
connectors.
GPU transistor count: 2.8 billion
Core clock: 1100MHz
Memory: 2GB GDDR5
Memory cock (DDR): 5000MHz
Price: $539
The
ASUS DirectCU II cooling system utilizes six copper heat pipes in direct
contact with the GPU
Gigabyte Radeon HD 7870 OC
Gigabyte has factory-overclocked the core
on its HD 7870 from the default 1000 MHz, to 1100 MHz, while leaving memory
clock speeds at the default 4800 MHz DDR. The card uses a custom PCB with
upgraded capacitors, ferrite chokes, and MOSFETs. It’s also the only card in
this shootout boasting a triple-fan cooling system. Gigabyte’s Windforce 3X
uses three fans to cool a trio of copper heat pipes connected to (a set of
three) heat sinks; one placed directly over the GPU, and the other two
elevated. The heat sink directly above the GPU has a unique ‘Triangle Cool’
feature, which consists of a triangular internal structure, with the downward
slopes designed to direct airflow from the fans towards the top and bottom of
the video card for better heat dissipation. Port layout is the same as
reference card with one DVI-D port, two mini-DisplayPort and one HDMI port. It
is powered by two 6-pin PCle Molex connectors.
GPU transistor count: 2.8 billion
Core clock: 1100MHz
Memory: 2GB GDDR5
Memory clock (DDR): 4800MHz
Price: $510
Gigabyte
is the only card using triple-fan cooling.
It’s time to meet the family, and
evaluate the different features and extras that each custom graphics card
brings to the table.
His Radeon HD 7870 ICEQ Turbo
This HIS HD 7870 is overclocked form the
default 1000 MHz, to 1100 MHz on the core, with memory remaining at the default
4800 MHz DDR. It uses the reference PCB design and the cooler is also quite
similar to the AMD reference. Like the reference card, HIS makes use of one
large fan – although the HIS model is bigger and meaner looking – positioned
towards the rear of the card to push air out the back. However, due to the
large size of the fan, do take note that, at just under 3000 mm, this card is
the longest in our shootout, and might not fit in the more compact cases out
there. Once more, the port layout is the same as a reference card: one DVI-D
port, two mini DisplayPort ports and one HDMI port. It is powered by two 6-pin
PCIe Molex connectors.
GPU transistor count: 2.8 billion
Core Clock: 1100 MHz
Memory: 2GB GDDR5
Memory Clock (DDR): 4800 MHz
Price: $530
The
HIS HD 7870 utilizes a single large fan, much like AMD’s reference design.
MSI Radeon HD 7870 Hawk
MSI overclocks its HD 7870 from the default
1000 MHz, to 1100 MHz, with memory left at the default 4800 MHz DDr. The Hawk
uses a custom PCB and also utilizes an aluminum back plate for extra
protection. Its Twin Frozr IV cooling system utilizes five copper heat pipes
connected to an array of cooling fins, with two fans providing plenty of
airflow. The Hawk model also adds MSI’s GPU Reactor which uses an additional
PCB to provide extra voltage filtering to the GPU. It has been placed as close
as possible to the GPU to maximize its effect. As with the other cards, rear
I/O ports are the same as a reference card: one DVI-D port, two mini-DisplayPrt
ports and one HDMI port. It is powered by two 6-pin PCIe Molex connectors.
GPU Transistor count: 2.8 billion
Core clock: 1100MHz
Memory: 2GB GDDR5
Memory clock (DDR): 4800MHz
Price: $519
MSI’s
GPU Reactor cover can be removed to access the extra PCB.
