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Msi Lightning

I don't always game SLI, but when I do, I game dos 580GTX

Subject: Graphics Cards | July 4, 2011 - 06:10 PM |
Tagged: N580GTX Lightning XE 3GB, MSI lightning, msi, GTX580

Lightning strikes twice in this review from [H]ard|OCP, a pair of MSI N580GTX Lightning XE 3GB cards in SLI are tested on a variety of games.  Apart from showing off the capabilities of a system with a $1200+ graphics subsystem it demonstrates a very important example of scaling; the effect of doubling the GDDR5 available to the GTX580 GPU.  They've tested the 1.5GB version previously and so can compare that performance as well as contrasting it with the HD 6970 in Crossfire.  Their testing showed that the extra memory does help, as long as you are using multiple monitors.  If you are using a single display, even a 2560x1600 30" display, you are wasting your money picking up the 3GB models, there simply isn't enough pixels to be pushed to need the 3GB per card.  The AMD setup did come behind in performance somewhat, but since it costs about $500 less that does not make it a bad alternative.  Head over to [H] and prepare to feel jealous.

h_MSI_lightning_gtx5803gb.jpg

"Two MSI N580GTX Lightning XE 3GB video cards in SLI! Tested in NV Surround. We are going to find out if these 3GB video cards hold an advantage over two GeForce GTX 580's and two Radeon HD 6970's. This is the most VRAM per video card we have ever gamed with. We test with seven games, including the new F.3.A.R."

Here are some more Graphics Card articles from around the web:

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Source: [H]ard|OCP

MSI's Lightning Strikes Again, this time it is a factory overclocked HD6970

Subject: Graphics Cards | May 16, 2011 - 03:40 PM |
Tagged: HD6970, MSI lightning, factory overclocked, msi

MSI's new R6970 Lightning will set you back about $80 more than a stock card which gets you an 80MHz GPU overclock, though the GDDR5 remains at the stock speed of 5.5GHz effective.  Don't turn your nose up right away, the clocks are similar but the PCB is completely redone and all components follow MSI's Military Class II specs which give you a vastly improved platform to crank up the voltage and frequency, helped by the custom cooling solution.  [H]ard|OCP broke 1GHz on the GPU and an additional 280MHz effective on the RAM which noticeably improved their experience.  This is definitely one worth checking out.

H_MSI_lightning_6970.jpg

"MSI's Latest Lightning series, the R6970 Lightning is here, based on an AMD Radeon HD 6970 with 2GB of GDDR5. It is only moderately overclocked out of the box, but its hardware quality may just knock the ball out of the park. Come with us as we test it against the stock Radeon HD 6970 and the GeForce GTX 570."

Here are some more Graphics Card articles from around the web:

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Source: [H]ard|OCP

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