MSI's packaging is typically well presented, emphasising the stand out features – RGB lighting, the Twin Frozr VI cooler and the Gaming App that enables additional performance.
The accessory bundle is par for the course – documentation, optical media containing drivers and software, as well as some stickers.
MSI's sixth iteration of the Twin Frozr cooler uses a dual slot form factor and measures in at 11 inches/28cm which is fairly sizeable for a mid-range GPU.
Both fans measure in at 95mm, 9.5 cm, and have alternating blade designs with what MSI are calling “dispersion” and “traditional” blades.
The full-cover backplate provides additional PCB rigidity and protection for the graphics card. MSI claims “solid metal” but it feels more like a low-grade metal and has the texture of plastic. 11 screws hold the backplate on and it can be removed without voiding the warranty. However, the cooler cannot be removed without voiding the warranty so prospective buyers looking to regularly change thermal paste should take caution.
I/O options are reasonable for a GPU of this calibre with three DisplayPort 1.4, one HDMI 2.0 and a dual-link DVI-D. ASUS still seems to be ahead in the I/O area since its inclusion of two HDMI ports will be more useful to VR users.
MSI's Twin Frozr VI cooler has two 6mm and one 8mm heatpipes with the GTX 1060 Gaming X, that's a few heat pipes less than both the MSI GTX 1070 and 1080 Gaming as there is less heat to disperse.
Power is drawn in through a single 8 pin connector.
‘There is certainly no shortage of options when it comes to choosing a GTX 1060 graphics card.’ You are joking right? They are mostly not in stock, apart from the fairly crappy Zotac mini. Do you people actually live on the same planet as those who actually want to buy a 1060?
Shortage of options and shortage of stock are not the same thing. Aside, there’s plenty of stock if you’re willing to shop around a bit.
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