3DMark2011
GeForce GTX 680 (in ASUS implementation) is
still the leader among the single GPU solutions in 3DMark 2011, but HIS 7970
IceQ X2 GHz Edition follows right closed behind. HIS 7950 IceQ X²
Boost Clock is 15-17% slower than the second one while HIS 7850 IceQ Turbo X is
20-22% slower in addition. Meanwhile, the couple of junior cards in CrossFireX
mode easily defeats the single top-end GPU solution, including ASUS. Moreover,
we cannot even say that CrossFireX is effective here because it just adds 67 to
84% to the performances of the single cards. However, CrossFireX tandem built
on two HIS 7850 IceQ Turbo X cards records a confident victory in 3DMark 2011.
GeForce
GTX 680 is still the leader
Metro
2033: The last Refuge
AMD based solution had a strong tradition
in Metro 2033L The Last Refuge, so ASUS GeForece GTX 680 DirectCU II TOP can
only be confront with the cheaper HIS 7950 IceQ X² Boost Clock, whereas HIS
7970 IceQ X² GHz Edition enjoys the top position for other single GPU products.
CrossFireX tandem based on two HIS 7850 IceQ Turbo X cards are faster even when
the CrossFireX is just 72 to 76% efficient here.
CrossFireX
technology is just 72 to 76% efficient.
Total
War: SHORGUN 2 – Fall of the Samurai
The general picture is just like what we
saw in Metro 2033: The Last Refuge, but the Nvidia based solution seems to be
more confident. The HIS 7850 IceQ Turbo X transforms completely when you use an
additional card. Only with the activation of antialiasing that the CrossFireX
tandem cannot defeat ASUS GeForce GTX 680 DirectCU II TOP, the over 90%
efficient CrossFireX technology.
The
over 90% efficient CrossFireX technology
Crysis
2
Crysis 2 is interesting because of the
fierce competition between GeForce GTX 680 and Radeon HD 7970 as well as for
the special behavior of the CrossFireX tandem. CrossFireX technology is
approximately 66 to 67% efficient when the full screen antialiasing setting is
off, but when it is on, two HIS 7850 IceQ Turbo X cards become slower and
almost cannot be faster than the single cards. The graphics card with the
larger capacity is the best selection for the multi-GPU configuration.
Therefore, it seems that 2 GB is not enough for Radeon HD 7850s in the
CrossFireX mode to enable antialiasing.
The
fierce competition between GeForce GTX 680 and Radeon HD 7970
Battlefield
3
CrossFireX shows its ability in slighter
applications. The tandem built on two CrossFireX cards has no competitor here.
GeForce GTX 680 goes neck and neck with Radeon HD 7970, and both are closed
followed by Radeon HD 7950.
CrossFireX
has no competitor here
Sniper Elite V2 Benchmark
CrossFireX
is 100% efficient
Sleeping
Dogs
This experience gives us the same scenario
as the previous experience
The
same scenario as the previous one
F1
2012
CrossFireX does not work in F1 2012. The
tandem is even slower than the single cards. However, there is no surprise in
this test.
CrossFireX
does not work in F1 2012
Borderlands
2
This is the second time and the last time
in this test that the CrossFireX cannot work well. GeForce wins expectedly
here.
The
CrossFireX technology cannot work well
Hitman:
Absolution
The CrossFireX tandem again shows its value
in Hitman: Absolution. The Radeons are generally more outstanding than Geforce
series here.
Radeons
are generally more outstanding than the GeForce series
This is the table of the whole result for
the test of performances:
The
summary graph of performances
Summary graph
The first couple of graphs helps you to
compare between HIS 7970 IceQ X² GHz Edition and ASUS GeForce GTX 680 DirectCU
II TOP, the second should be treated as a baseline.
HIS
7970 IceQ X² GHz Edition and ASUS GeForce GTX 680 DirectCU II TOP
As we can see, the graphics cards, in
facts, are equivalent in Crysis 2 and Battlefield 3 and not too different in
3DMark 2011. The winner depends on the installation of graphics quality in
Total War: SHOGUN 2 – Fall of the Samurai and F1 2012. Then, GeForce GTX 680
wins in Borderlands 2 whereas Radeon HD 7970 leads the Metro 2033: The Last
Refuge, Sniper Elite 2, Sleeping Dogs and Hitman: Absolution
The second couple of graphs show the
efficiency of the technology with two HIS 7850 IceQ Turbo X card combination.
The
efficiency of the technology with two HIS 7850 IceQ Turbo X cards
If you check out the single tests, you will
not recognize any surprise in the graphs. CrossFireX does not work in F1 2012
and Borderlands 2, and also has low efficiency in Crysis 2 with the enabling of
antialiasing. On the other hand, this technology doubles the speed in games
like Battlefield 3, Sniper Elite V2, Sleeping Dogs and Hitman: Absolution.
Conclusion
The three HIS graphics cards that we
considered in this review are interesting products in its respestive
categories. Each product highlights an integrated system with solid and high
quality components, and original high performance cooler. HIS 7970 IceQ X2
GHz Edition, HIS IceQ X2 Boost Clock and HIS 7850 IceQ Turbo X are
also a little faster than the respective reference solution, thanks to the
pre-overclocked GPUs. In addition are the informative and reliable packaging
and exclusive iTurbo applications. The graphics cards can also please you with
their appearances. Although they are usually hid in the system case, you are
still really pleased when holding a stylish product in your hands.
Admittedly, we cannot say that they are
absolutely perfect, although they are priced reasonably. Our main concern is
the quite high level of noise made by the original IceQ cooler. Although
quieter than the reference Radeon HD 7970, we hope that it can be even better.
HIS engineers should optimize the correlation of the fan speed and the thermal
because the noise can be lowered with the expense of some higher degrees of GPU
temperature. Moreover, HIS 7850 IceQ Turbo X has rattling fans which might be
replaced by better ones. To make these products really perfect, we hope they
could go along with a deserving award just like the previous ones from HIS.
