HARDWARE

A Trio From HIS: 7970 IceQ X² GHz Edition, 7950 IceQ X² Boost Clock And 7850 IceQ Turbo X Graphics Cards Review (Part 1)

4/1/2013 11:44:12 AM

We continue to check out the proprietary graphics accelerators and discuss three products, which are based on Radeon HD from HIS IceQ series.

Back to 1987, Hightech Information System Limited was always attractive for its cooling solution which was first installed on its graphic card. In fact, we doubted this company was the first one to introduce this original cooling solution. They are especially proud of IceQ system which has been continuously developing to be even more efficient and quieter. Now, we will try checking out two of its variants, which are deployed on four graphic cards. These IceQ variants are so different that one of them is even called IceQ X2.

Therefore, this review includes products from HIS: HIS 7970 IceQ X² GHz Edition, HIS 7950 IceQ X² Boost Clock and a couple of HIS 7850 IceQ Turbo X series.

This review covers products from HIS

This review covers products from HIS

Beside out cooling system experiments, we would evaluate all of these cards’ standards, including a CrossFireX tandem built on two Radeon HD 7850s cards with the brand new Catalyst 13.1 drive of AMD. As usual, we will start with exploring the products’ specifications and key features.

Specifications and recommended prices (* - may vary for different graphic cards)

Specifications and recommended prices (* - may vary for different graphic cards)

HIS 7970 IceQ X² GHz Edition 3GB (H797QMC3G2M)

HIS 7970 IceQ X² GHz Edition is packed into a beautiful blue upright box with the cooling system name printed right in the front center. HIS seems to consider this as the key feature of the whole product.

The cooling system name is printed right in the center

The cooling system name is printed right in the center

We can learn that IceQ X2 is 17% more efficient and 15dB quieter comparing to the Radeon HD 7970 cooler. This detail is added at the back of the box, where you can see a list of awards the company has received for it products.

There is a solid cardboard box inside the colorful outfit. After opening it, you will find two warnings of how to transport a system case safely when the graphic card has been installed and how to plug a graphic card in the mainboard slot.

The graphic card is perfectly fitted into a tray which is made of soft but reliable materials.

The graphic card is perfectly fitted into a soft but reliable tray.

The graphic card is perfectly fitted into a soft but reliable tray.

There is no doubt that this solid protection will ensure the best quality for the inside product.

These devices can be found at the bottom of the box:

·         DVI->D-Sub adapter

·         CrossFireX bridge

·         Installation instruction

·         CD with drivers and an electrical version of installation instruction

·         CD with 1.2.0 HIS Turbo version.

There is no bonus like free games or something like that, although we still remember that HIS usually includes screwdrivers with its graphic cards.

Manufactured in China and having a retail price of $420, this product is delivered with a two year warranty.

The new HIS 7970 Ice X2 GHz Edition looks attractive with its large and stylist cooler, which covers the whole surface of the PCB. There is an X sign with the producer name in the middle. The name of the cooler can be found in the upper right corner.

The length of the graphic card is 297 mm while PCB is 268 mm long.

The length of the graphic card is 297 mm while PCB is 268 mm long.

The length of the graphic card is 297 mm while PCB is 268 mm long. Only 42mm thick, HIS 7970 IceQ X2 GHZ Edition can be used in CrossFireX configuration with only one expansion slot in the middle.

The card offers a standard choice of video outputs: a dual-link DVI-I, a 1.4a DVI-I version and two 1.2 DisplayPorts versions.

There is a vent grid in the card; however, there is still a little air from the fan maintained in the system case.

HIS 7970 IceQ X2 GHz Edition carries two  standard MIO connections, so it can be used in a game rig with up to four graphic cards.

HIS 7970 IceQ X2 GHz Edition carries two standard MIO connections

HIS 7970 IceQ X2 GHz Edition carries two standard MIO connections

This card does not meet the standard in terms of power connection. There are two 8-pin plugs instead of one. This is the sign of a good energy system, as we will check out right now. On the other hand, HIS recommends a PSU 550W for one-graphic-card computers, just like the recommendation of AMD for Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition.

The cooler is protected by 4 screws around GPU. After removing it can we find a metallic plate, which is responsible for memory chips and power system. The plate has an additional part in VRM area which is cooled by one of the IceQ X2 fans.

The metallic plate

The metallic plate

You will have to unfasten dozens of small screws to remove the plate and separate it from the thermally conductive pads. Then you will be able to see PCB card clearly.

It is a copy of the reference design but the original 5-phase power system is replaced by a 6-phase system with solid capacitors and DirectFETs:

The 6-phase system with solid capacitors and DirectFETs

The 6-phase system with solid capacitors and DirectFETs

The GPU voltage regulator is managed by a CHiL CHL8228G controller.

That chip is also installed on the reference AMD Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition cards, which also has two power phases for graphic memory and PLL.

Manufactured in Thailand, Tahiti XT chip is 28nm large.

Tahiti XT Chip

Tahiti XT Chip

 

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