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MSI Launches HD 6970 and GTX 580 Lightning Series Graphics Cards

btarunr

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MSI, the leading global graphic card and motherboard manufacturer, today unveiled its two flagship cards: the N580GTX Lightning and the R6970 Lightning. These cards are specifically designed to handle the extreme overclocking which eager gamers and media outlets around the world have been waiting for. Industry-leading Power4 architecture and Twin Frozr III dual-fan cooling with innovative Propeller Blade technology brings together a solid power supply with advanced cooling technology. This results in huge boosts to overclocking potential and stability, enabling the air-cooled N580GTX Lightning to break the 1GHz core clock barrier with ease. The Lightning series of graphic cards is designed to offer the ultimate in overclocking capabilities and is the superior choice for overclocking enthusiasts seeking to set new world records.



Industry-leading Power4 Architecture for Overclocking Reliability
The MSI N580GTX/R6970 Lightning graphic cards inherit the impressive Power4 architecture from previous Lightning cards along with improved components and design in four areas. The PWM module is twice as large as before and provides double the amount of current to the GPU. Memory has its own independent power supply using an 8-pin connector for minimum interference to greatly increase overclocking potential. The next-generation Proadlizer capacitor increases signal stability by leaps and bounds while CopperMOS, the industry's best MOSFET, provides the GPU with a large and stable power supply. Combined, these features provide ordinary users as well as extreme overclocking enthusiasts with a more stable operating environment and the best performance out there.

Twin Frozr III and Propeller Blade Technology Takes Cooling to the Next Level
The all new Twin Frozr III cooling design utilizes the innovative Propeller Blade technology to double the amount of airflow compared to conventional fans. The airflow also covers a large surface to remove heat quickly and effectively, and when you add in twin 9cm PWM fans, SuperPipe technology, and the Form-in-one heatsink, the result is GPU operating temperatures 21°C /26°C lower than the reference board when the N580GTX/R6970 Lightning are operating under full loads. Fan noise is also 5dB/11dB lower in addition to having much higher overclocking potential.



Overclocking Potential Unleashed with GPU/Memory/PLL(VDDCI)1 Triple Overvoltage
The MSI N580GTX/R6970 Lightning graphic cards come with the latest version of MSI's exclusive Afterburner V2.1.0 overclocking utility. The utility not only adjusts GPU and memory clock but also manage the GPU/Memory/PLL(VDDCI) voltages to maximize overclocking potential. Thanks to Triple Overvoltage, the overclocking potential of N580GTX Lightning is 30%2 higher than the reference board and offers enthusiasts ultimate performance.

King of Extreme Overclocking
For hardware enthusiasts, the MSI N580GTX/R6970 Lightning graphic cards come with exclusive extreme overclocking features. Apart from V-Check Points and V-Switch for monitoring and adjusting the GPU/Memory/PLL(VDDCI) voltages in real time, Dual Bios and XtremeCool3 switches help to effectively prevent potential problems stemming from liquid nitrogen cooling. PWM Clock Tuner also helps to increase overclocking potential. All of these come together to make the N580GTX/R6950 Lightning the ultimate graphic cards for extreme overclocking.

Carefully Selected Materials
The MSI N580GTX/R6970 Lightning graphic cards use top-quality Military Class II components including All Solid Cap for overclocking and full-speed operation, SFC for 10% higher efficiency, and 30% increase in maximum current, as well as Hi-c Cap with Tantalum core which boasts 8 times the lifetime of conventional solid capacitors. These high-quality components not only increase the graphic cards' overall service life but also enhance GPU stability.

The N580GTX/R6970 Lightning includes several new exclusive features such as Power4 architecture, Twin Frozr III Thermal Design, Triple Overvoltage by Afterburner as well as the latest Military Class II components, which make them the new kings in the graphics card world. The design of the graphics card represents MSI's unceasing commitment to delivering new breakthroughs and providing consumers with product features and overclocking potential that exceed their expectations. For more information about the N580GTX Lighting and R6970 Lightning, please visit this page.

1. PLL/VDDCI is the power supply used for the PCI Express interface
2. Numbers are provided for reference only. Actual overclocking performance may vary
3. XtremeCool is only applicable to N580GTX Lightning


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Matte dark grey. Yeah, that's appealing :rolleyes:
I'll stick with the shiny golden edition.
 

chuchnit

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12in is crazy for the 580. I was waiting to buy this card but there is no way it's fitting in my case.
 

wolf

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Lightning GTX580 you say... 1ghz may come up pretty soon on these cards :D

I would like them to also bin the best GF110's for cards of this caliber too, like Gigabyte's super overclock series, to add extra piece of mind and, under normal circumstances, overclockability.
 
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OMG I've been waiting for these to release and they both sound very yummy.....^_^
 
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Im getting one or 2 of these
 

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got both of them yday .. reviews soon
 

chuchnit

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Wizzard, MSI list 305mm for the length of the card. Could you either measure yourself or better yet take a pic of the lightning with a ref card? I have been waiting on this card for a while but not sure if it will fit in my case. I know that Asus's website has some wrong specs for their cards...
 

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omg...


i buyed the asus gtx 580, but this msi 580 is amazing too, :/, i hope will be so expensive haha.

PD: sry my eng :p XD
 
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got both of them yday .. reviews soon

hope the 580 perform well, that will be my next card

but then again whats point of upgrade with this lame console port games :ohwell: cough crysis 2 cough
 
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W1zzard

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Wizzard, MSI list 305mm for the length of the card. Could you either measure yourself or better yet take a pic of the lightning with a ref card? I have been waiting on this card for a while but not sure if it will fit in my case. I know that Asus's website has some wrong specs for their cards...

31 cm starting at the pci-e slot cover (not including the output connectors)
 

chuchnit

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Thank you sir! Is that the PCB or including the shroud?
 

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got both of them yday .. reviews soon
Could you test these dip switches?

Thank you


 
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And I just had to buy a GTX 580 Twin Frozr II :(
 
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