SAPPHIRE Launches Passive Cooled HD 3870 ULTIMATE Edition

[malware]

SAPPHIRE Technology, industry leader in alternative cooling solutions for PC graphics, has just launched a new ULTIMATE Edition of the top of the range HD 3870 - topping it's previous claim for the fastest passive cooled graphics card in the World by delivering even more performance. The SAPPHIRE HD 3870 ULTIMATE Edition has 512MB of GDDR4 memory, running at 1125MHz (2.25GHz effective) and has a core clock speed of 775MHz, delivering the same exciting levels of graphics performance as the standard model - but featuring a totally fanless and silent four heatpipe cooler.




The SAPPHIRE HD 3870 incorporates the latest ATI Avivo HD Technology for enhanced Video display and features a built in UVD (Unified Video decoder) for the hardware accelerated decoding of Blu-ray and HD DVD content for both VC-1 and H.264 codecs, reducing CPU loading to a minimum. The HDMI adaptor delivers true High Definition audio and video output on a single cable for direct connection of an HDMI ready display, making the SAPPHIRE HD 3870 ULTIMATE the perfect silent solution for gamers and video enthusiasts alike.

Like other models in the series, the SAPPHIRE HD 3870 ULTIMATE Edition features the new CrossFireX technology, with two high speed connectors on each card allowing for 2, 3 or even 4 graphics cards to be daisy-chained together for enhanced performance when installed in a CrossFireX compliant mainboard. As each card has two dual-link DVI connectors, this allows up to eight monitors to be used at the same time, or - with CrossFire enabled - the raw power of up to four GPU's combined to provide a significantly more powerful rendering solution.

All the new SAPPHIRE HD 3800 series combine a unified shader architecture with support for Shader Model 4.1 and the DirectX 10.1 connected via the latest PCI-Express Gen 2.0 interface. The architecture shares the 320 stream processors and 512-bit internal ring bus memory controller of all the current high end models together with multiple rendering units and a programmable tessellation unit to deliver outstanding graphics performance.
Now manufactured in a new 55nm process technology, the GPU in the HD 3800 series delivers this performance with lower power consumption and at lower cost than previous generations. A new feature known as ATI PowerPlay actively reduces power consumption depending on loading.

SAPPHIRE HD 3000 series graphics cards are Microsoft Windows Vista Premium certified and supported by the ATI Catalyst suite of software, ensuring customers have ongoing access to software updates for performance, stability and added features. Support for DirectX10.1 provides developers with access to enhanced programming techniques and new lighting effects.



General Specifications:

SAPPHIRE HD 3870 ULTIMATE Edition
External Memory Interface: 256-bit
Memory Type: 1.2GHz GDDR4
Frame Buffer: 512 MB
Cooler: Silent Passive Fanless Heatpipe
Power Connector: 6-pin PCIe
Peak Board Power: ~115W
Display Interfaces: 2x Dual-link DVI with HDCP + HDTV Out
(HDMI+Audio with adapter)
ATI CrossFireX: Dual interconnects
(2, 3, or 4 boards)

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Necrofire]

They mention the cooler and the clocks once in a single sentence, then go on to talk about the general 3870 for the rest of the article. Great marketing guys.

Also, lol at the HDCP logo on the back with the little lock.

At least the pictures aren't puny like most of the ones in these articles.

 

[WarEagleAU]

And your point is? Thanks for the article Malware. Personally, Im leery of any passively cooled card. Granted the 3870 isnt a beast for heat, but I mean, with OCs on it, Im sure it gets nice and warm.

 

[xvi]

I can't believe I'm the first one to stick my nose up and say "Looks like a Thermalright cooler."

 

[MopeyMartian]

Personally, I was thinking, "If only is was a Thermalright cooler."

At least they oriented the heatpipes correctly.

 

[tkpenalty]

And your point is? Thanks for the article Malware. Personally, Im leery of any passively cooled card. Granted the 3870 isnt a beast for heat, but I mean, with OCs on it, Im sure it gets nice and warm.

If my 8800GT runs fine with a passive AcceleroS1 with rather low temps (load at 55*C, idle 42~44*C), and even when OC'ed. There is no need to fear passive GPUs. Okay let me correct myself, there is no need to fear passive GPU coolers that are designed by a cooling mfgr, however there is a need to fear proprietary passive solutions such as this one...

 

[D4S4]

3850 had a bigger cooler (edit)- not, i confused it with some other picture. Wonder how this will handle the heat. Never had any experience with hd3k series, but this will work nice and hot. Put an aluminum plate on it and you can fry yourself some eggs

 

[newtekie1]

What is the cooler made out of? Nickle plated copper w/ Aluminum fins or all aluminum? I would avoid it if it was all aluminum.

 

[jbunch07]

prob is all al so they could save on weight but not sure...i wonder how it oc's