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Today we are using our most powerful system, a Core i7 970 based configuration – liquid cooled at 4.33ghz, with a Corsair AX1200 power supply – all built into a sexy Thermaltake Level 10 chassis.
Processor: Core i7 970 @ 4.33ghz
Cooling: Coolit Vantage
Motherboard: MSI X58A-GD65 (MS-7522)
Chassis: Thermaltake Level 10
Power Supply: Corsair Ax1200
Memory: 6GB GSkill Performance Gaming ram @ 902.9 MHz (2:10) @ 7-8-7-24
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V+ 512GB Gen 2 SSD (Storage) / Crucial RealSSD C300 256GB (OS boot)
Monitors: Hazro Ultra Sharp HZ230Wi, Dell Ultrasharp U2410 Rev A00
Other graphics cards for comparisons:
nVidia GTX580
nVidia GTX460 OC (715/900)
AMD HD6970
AMD HD6950
AMD HD6870
AMD HD6850
AMD HD5870
AMD HD5850
Software:
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
Unigine Heaven Benchmark
3DMark Vantage
3DMark 11
Catalyst 8.79.6.2RC2_Dec7
Forceware 263.09 WHQL
Fraps Professional
Steam Client
FurMark
TessMark
ShaderToy
Technical Monitoring and Test Equipment:
Keithley Integra unit
Thermal Diodes
Raytek Laser Temp Gun 3i LSRC/MT4 Mini Temp
Extech digital sound level meter & SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter
Games:
Resident Evil 5
Lost Planet 2
Far Cry 2
Alien V Predator
Mafia 2
Tom Clancy HAWX 2
Left4Dead 2
All the latest BIOS updates and drivers are used during testing. We perform under real world conditions, meaning KitGuru tests all games across five closely matched runs and average out the results to get an accurate median figure.
Its a tough call. I see all the nvidia sponsored titles, the TWIMTBP all score higher on the GTX570, but hAWX 2? come on, there must be something well dodgy going on there! Nice review thanks.
Good boards, glad to see no bias here, fair review all round.
They are good boards no doubt about it. power consumption is still highish, but I suppose with this power output it is required. still think AMD have the edge on that.
Hang on, Haev I missed something? the GTX570 can only power 2 screens? wtf.
my brother is buying me one for christmas 🙂 im lucky I know !
I know everyone seems disappointed with the 6970 but i prefer it to this card. but im waiting on a cooler from a third party as AMD reference coolers suck arse.
HD6970 is a good board but its dissappointing. ive saved enough money up for the 6990 in the last 4 months. waiting patiently. You got one already Zardon?
I used to read your nV reviews on launch day, but nvidia products seem to be much slower now being reviewed here 🙁
Were I am, the GTX570 is cheaper than the HD6970. I think the GTX570 is a better card for what I would need. I dont want to game on multiple screens. but I can see the advantages with AMDs technology.
Its really cool they give away a mouse mat. if I see another call of duty modern warfare 2 bundle ill kill someone.
the cooler is identical to the GTX580 isnt it ?
Great review, think I prefer the 6970 tho
Hard to choose between this and 6970, both are v good. Shame AMD can’t launch an assault on Nvidia 580
It’s good, but I’d only spend 200 on a card , still quite happy with the460
They are doing a good job making up for lost time. Can’t fault the price
I think a lot of the video games are nodded to run particularly well on Nvidia hardware. Look at hawk 2. Must be a similar stunt to the original hawx
Twimtbp my ass.
No point in buying these high end boards. The pc gaming market is in a shocking state this year and I cant see anything on. The horizon to change it. Crysis 2, I’m pretty sure it will suck