[NightRaven]

Hello guys, i did a short quick test on air for vantage performance. Just to see where these hardcore cards really stand.

System Spec:
Intel Core i7 980X
Gigabyte X58A UD3R
Gskill Trident 2000Mhz CL9 3x2GB
Seagate 500GB 7200.12
Thermaltake 1000W

MSI 5870 Lightning
Gigabyte 5870 Super OverClock Edition


There were quite a number of differences in the cards. from the length, to the idle temps, to their weight and default clocks.

by default the lightning did 900/1200 and the soc did 950/1250.

Here are their default scores.

MSI 5870 Lightning



Gigabyte 5870 SOC



Overclocked, the lightning managed 980mhz core while the soc did up than 1000mhz core. Mind you these speeds are at default voltage of about 1.15v.

i only got the lightning screenshot as the soc was taking a lot of time testing and kept going up and up!




Temperature wise, the soc idled a little cooler by about 2 degrees. It was also quieter. The heatsink and overall card was also lighter. The lightning did have a heatspreader for the memory while the soc was bare.

i also found that actually the cards can run well on air on 2x 6pin power. i do think the 8 pin was more for extreme overclockers.

But we'll see again when i put the SOC under liquid nitrogen sometime these few weeks.

[NightRaven]

here are some looks at the lightning










See the hi c cap there? does help a little in overclocking



Heatpipes

[NightRaven]

Gigabyte SOC pictured





notice it is dual 6 pin power

[NightRaven]

lengths compared





The MSI being taller may hamper those whose casings have a side panel fan installed.



I must say that the Gigabyte heatsink design is better imo. the curved fans allow air flow even when the cards are put in crossfire. The lightning cooler will tend to have a little air flow problem due to the minimal space between the cards.





In conclusion, both cards are just as desirable. However, the pricing of the SOC is a little steep going into the 800+ range which can buy you a 480GTX. Both cards are overclock-able, have good cooling and have exceptional quality.

The speeds which the power circuits can sustain as well as the cherry picked cores will prove itself more so under more voltage and cold.

I will soon put the SOC under liquid nitrogen and try to gun for 1500mhz core and 1400mhz mem. Those are targets but i certainly hope the card will come close.

So far no chance to put the Lightning under nitrogen yet. But i do hope to be able to in the near future. to find out if really the dual 8pin power vs the dual 6pin on the SOC. Which will prevail.

Nevertheless, at this point in time, most high end cards are a rare sight, like these two particular performance models. It could be why the premium is commanded over its more common brothers and sisters. I say, for the average joe, a normal 5870 will suffice. But for the extreme overclocker or gamer, either of these cards will be a good buy

[hg_wng]

i still think the SOC is grossly overpriced @$815

[NightRaven]

wont disagree though its a damn good card

[ewan13]

Hi NightRaven, i was just wondering what your thoughts are on the Gigabyte card not having any heat spreaders on the RAMs. will it affect stability and durability in the long run?

[NightRaven]

that was one of my thoughts. but then again, one must think that back in the day, heatspreaders were also known to trap and not dissipate heat as they have no fins.

because one also cannot control the vmem without hard mods, i think gigabyte thought fine to leave it naked. since most extreme overclockers will eventually remove it.

So all in all, i think it is fine without though better with