Friday, March 16th 2012

MSI Announces Next Generation R7970 Lightning Graphics Card

Leading international graphics card and mainboard maker MSI today announced the release of the MSI R7970 Lightning, the new heir to the throne of Lightning graphics cards. Equipped with AMD's 28 nm Radeon HD 7970 GPU, the MSI R7970 Lightning features an all-new Unlocked Digital Power Architecture that incorporates an Unlocked BIOS, Digital PWM Controller, and Enhanced Power Design to boost overclocking potential to new heights and make overclocking easier than ever.

In an industry first, the proprietary "GPU Reactor" power supply module reduces power supply noise and also boosts overclocking stability as well. To keep this beast cool, the MSI R7970 Lightning utilizes the latest Twin Frozr IV Thermal Design equipped with Dust Removal Technology. The dual 10 cm fans with Propeller Blade Technology generate massive airflow for fast heat dissipation while remaining whisper silent. The two form-in-one heat sinks improve cooling for memory and the power supply module as well ensure structural integrity.

The R7970 Lightning uses Military Class III components which have passed rigorous third-party testing to meet MIL-STD-810G standards, guaranteeing the card's stability and reliability under actual use conditions. Moreover, the "3X3 OC Kits" are designed to simplify overclocking, which makes it easier than ever for enthusiasts to fine-tune the performance of their graphics cards. For both professional users and gaming enthusiasts alike, the R7970 Lightning's ability to simultaneously run 6 displays makes it the natural choice!

Unlocked Digital Power Provides Record-Breaking Potential

The R7970 Lightning boasts an all-new Unlocked Digital Power architecture that provides record breaking potential. The key components involved include the Unlocked BIOS, digital PWM chipset, and an improved power supply design. Unlocked BIOS removes CCC overclocking limits, Power Tune limit is increased by 180%, and OCP limits are relaxed to completely unleash the graphics card's overclocking potential. The digital power supply signal provides voltage signals that are more stable and accurate than conventional analog designs, meaning the voltage can be adjusted more quickly and precisely during overclocking. The improved power supply design provides double the power of the reference board and consists of 17 power supply parameters, dual 8-pin power supply connectors, and the Lightning Power Layer (LPL) design. For true overclocking enthusiasts, the R7970 Lightning with Unlocked Digital Power is simply a dream come true!

GPU Reactor for the Ultimate Power Core

The MSI R7970 Lightning implements the innovative "GPU Reactor" power supply module which, when installed on the back of the GPU, increases current volume by 88%, reduces power supply noise by 13%, and improves overall overclocking stability. MSI GPU Reactor is easy to install and has built in safety features that make it easy even for ordinary users to install and remove.

Extreme Cooling Design for Better Cooling and Structural Strength

The MSI R7970 Lightning incorporates the next-generation Twin Frozr IV Thermal Design. The striking design of the new Twin Frozr IV comes from the two large 10 cm PWM fans with Propeller Blade Technology that cool the advanced cooling body of the Twin Frozr IV. Under the aluminum Twin Frozr IV body, you can find a high density fin grid array that provides heat dissipating area that is fed by heat-pipes featuring MSI's SuperPipe technology. MSI has also incorporated its exclusive Dust Removal Technology. Fans are running in reverse for 30 seconds after booting to remove dust from the heat sinks and keep the graphics card's cooling performance running at optimum levels. The R7970 Lightning also boasts two form-in-one heat sinks. One heat sink is located on the front of the graphics card to cool the memory and power supply modules, while the second heat sink on the back of the card helps to protect and reinforce the card structure. This extreme cooling design provides the R7970 Lightning with the best cooling performance and the most reliable structure.

Premium Materials and User-friendly Overclocking Design

MSI has always led the industry thanks to its unyielding commitment to product stability and quality and made sure that the R7970 Lightning was equipped with Military Class III components certified to MIL-STD-810G military standards in seven different categories by a third-party laboratory. Be it tantalum core Hi-c CAP around the graphics card, the CopperMOS cooling design, the form-in-one Golden SSC, or as the card's moisture/rust-proof Dark Solid CAP, all work together to provide the MSI R7970 Lightning with the best possible stability

For overclocking enthusiasts, MSI has developed the 3X3 OC Kits: V-Check Points enable GPU, Memory and VDDCI voltage to be monitored while Triple Overvoltage and Triple Temperature Sensor enable overclockers to quickly fine-tune and track the performance of their graphics card using enthusiasts favorite Afterburner overclocking software. The 4 Mini DisplayPorts and 2 DVI ports on the R7970 Lightning enable AMD Eyefinity technology to drive 6 screen output with just one card, providing just the kind of performance industry professionals and gaming enthusiasts need.

As the new king of graphics cards, the MSI R7970 Lightning features many innovative technologies such as Unlocked Digital Power, GPU Reactor, Twin Frozr IV Thermal Design and 3X3 OC Kits. These technologies demonstrate MSI's use of industry-leading Research & Design to provide customers with an even more perfect user experience and product performance. Learn more about the R7970 Lightning, please visit: event.msi.com/vga/lightning/

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62 Comments on MSI Announces Next Generation R7970 Lightning Graphics Card

#51
cadaveca
My name is Dave
nelizThat's why samples go out to both "normal" reviewers as well as guys that professionally overclock.
Don't get me wrong, I understand you guys need to market to all. However, at the same time, a lot of guys that spend big bucks on hardware, but don't do the extreme thing, get a little upset at seeing "wasted" hardware. I personally like to see both, but I don't have much use for the extreme scene either than as amusment. Either way, we do ahve quite a few members running rigs I told them to buy :p And every one is happy, too, which is nice.
I first want to keep one for myself!
I expect a build log.


:slap:



:laugh:
Posted on Reply
#52
EarthDog
We take care of both. I just am not sure how a pot fits on this thing with the reactor core on it...

Speaking of, I just reached out to our rep for a few things... :)
Posted on Reply
#53
cadaveca
My name is Dave
EarthDogWe take care of both. I just am not sure how a pot fits on this thing with the reactor core on it...

Speaking of, I just reached out to our rep for a few things... :)
Yeah, that's what I am curious about, but i think it's really a non-issue.

At least ya got a rep:roll: I got neliz, who cannot help me. lulz.

Don't take me too seriously though, I'm taking a hiatus from reviews at the end of the month, getting my shoulder replaced(finally). gonna have some time to play with hsrdware jsut for myself, should be great.


I jsut like buggin neliz, clearly he doesn't mind too much. :roll:
Posted on Reply
#54
EarthDog
You need to be a 'bloke' and not a 'canuck'? :p
Posted on Reply
#55
neliz
EarthDogYou need to be a 'bloke' and not a 'canuck'? :p
I have lot's of friends that know people that once have seen a Canadian.
Posted on Reply
#56
EarthDog
kind of like the american lore, Chupacabra. Their cry's of "ehh" and "been" can be heard if you are quiet enough. :p

Dave, GLW surgery man. And enjoy time to yourself. Hopefully by the time you return boards/cards will be plentiful. :)
Posted on Reply
#57
cadaveca
My name is Dave
nelizI have lot's of friends that know people that once have seen a Canadian.
Well, i got a huge house, lots of hardware, too, so if ya wanna pack up some cards and take a trip for some awesome skiing, you know who to call. :laugh:

Don't worry, I won't bite. :laugh:
Posted on Reply
#58
SonDa5
nelizWhat would make it a 10/10?
Get some of the after market water block builders to build a proper fitting full VGA water block for it.


Overall I still give this card a 10. Everything about it screams performance. HD79XX cards are expensive to begin with but this card really offers a ton of performance and unique build features in an extremely impressive design.


I hope the new GTX680 gets the same treatment.
Posted on Reply
#59
radrok
I hope someone makes a pretty waterblock for it, all this power needs to be watercooled :)
Posted on Reply
#60
m1dg3t
Nice to see a finalized version available to us :D I was really hoping to see this card with 1100Mhz ++ on the core stock but i guess they needed to leave some fun for us!

Neliz is there any chance you can get them to include extra "pin stripe" kit's in different colour's other than just yellow? It wouldn't be hard to get around it myself but it would be a nice option IMHO. From what i recall only Asrock is using yellow in their theme's? I would have liked to have seen you guy's mount the reactor directly to the board instead of having it as an add in/on, maybe you guy's held off for now because it is new tech and will do so on later release's? Anyways i'll say it again, great card/design!

:toast:
Posted on Reply
#61
TheoneandonlyMrK
fit filters everywhere, its the future and would cost pence to put one on a gfx inlet, i never understood why a card costing a lot of money dosnt have this, quick removable, and it wouldnt reduce airflow till it got mucky, i have and will now allways have waterblocks so ive no need of this anyway and i allready fitted out my TT Kandalf with filters everywhere inc the top mesh shit bit, now no dust falls in:) and in general filters are where its at ,i still have to clean but it dosnt get so dusty in hard to clean places
Posted on Reply
#62
Steven B
where is my TPu review of this card? i saw that hardware heaven had a review done, but i can't read a review there as its just all bullshit and not accurate. please write a review w1zzrd.
Posted on Reply
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