Tuesday, March 6th 2012
MSI HD 7970 Lightning "GPU Reactor" Detailed
If you've seen the first pictures of MSI's Radeon HD 7970 Lightning graphics cards, you may have noticed an unusual-looking round cutout on its backplate, right behind the GPU. We are learning that this cutout, and the tiny headers on the exposed PCB are actually a socket for what MSI is referring to as a "GPU Reactor" (I can imagine Iron Man fans prepping their flame throwers right about now).
The "GPU Reactor" is a round add-on device that sits on this socket. It is essentially an add-on PCB that holds a battery of tantalum capacitors, which further conditions power for the GPU. Apart from capacitors, there are a few blue LEDs and a round, transparent window that make it light up. To what extant this gadget helps with maintaining stable OCs remains to be seen, but on the "flip-side", it could pose spacing issues with other add-on cards located right above HD 7970 Lightning cards that are outfitted with one of these.
Source:
Lab501.ro
The "GPU Reactor" is a round add-on device that sits on this socket. It is essentially an add-on PCB that holds a battery of tantalum capacitors, which further conditions power for the GPU. Apart from capacitors, there are a few blue LEDs and a round, transparent window that make it light up. To what extant this gadget helps with maintaining stable OCs remains to be seen, but on the "flip-side", it could pose spacing issues with other add-on cards located right above HD 7970 Lightning cards that are outfitted with one of these.
53 Comments on MSI HD 7970 Lightning "GPU Reactor" Detailed
Just release the dam thing with the few extra capacitors, I don't need to buy extra content for my GPU.
They should make this card available sans cooler and with the "reactor core" built into the card itself :o
I've been staring at the 7870 Hawk for some time now and realise I should be working.
I cannot wait for the benchmarks of the 7970 Lightning though - I want to see that 14+2 Phase Voltage Regulator in action - 1400mv stable anyone?
Front(fan) side: 9/10
Backplate(PCB) side: 0/10
The presence of that R-core on the backplate means PCIE connectors on MB need to be atleast 3 slots apart for X-fire capability.
I also hope you can change the LED colour...
I didnt even think about how that would effect strapping a pot on it... But looking at it................I can still see the threads and at least my pot is a bolt through so it would work. Not sure about others (Tek9 slim/fat for example) with backplates (if those have a backplate).