HIS Radeon HD 7970 3GB Review
Introduction
Product on Review: HIS HD7970 3GB
Manufacturer and Sponsor: HIS
Street Price: £459 inc. VAT (GBP)
The HD7970 has had a mixed reception from the enthusiast community. On the one hand, many are not impressed with the AMD HD7970 with most disappointed at the high retail price. For £100 less someone could buy NVIDIA's GTX580. While the GTX580 doesn't have the same performance it is hardly a slouch. On the other hand others are happy to see that the HD7970 has taken back the performance crown and given NVIDIA food for thought. Either way, there can be no doubting the HD7970's performance and performance three fold: speed, power consumption and cooling. AMD it seems, have got the balance just right save for the price. So if it is not broken, why change it? That seems to be the philosphy behind the HIS version of the HD7970 as on the face of it at least, it is identical in terms of both aesthetics and cooling by using the same heatsink/cooling design as the vanilla HD7970/7950.
HIS are renown for implementing some very distinctive, inovative coolers. Take for example their IceQ range. Excellent cooling ability it may have but the design was not to everyone's tastes. So then, in this example at least, HIS have decided to go with the stock AMD cooler with little more than a sticker to identify the brand. Many manufacturers take this approach so HIS cannot be criticised for using the reference design and as we have seen, the AMD cooler is much improved so it makes sense, especially this early in the production line. No doubt we will see HIS implement their own cooling design and perhaps a customised PCB later in the year but for now, the HIS card we have for review today is a reference design.
Product on Review: HIS HD7970 3GB
Manufacturer and Sponsor: HIS
Street Price: £459 inc. VAT (GBP)
The HD7970 has had a mixed reception from the enthusiast community. On the one hand, many are not impressed with the AMD HD7970 with most disappointed at the high retail price. For £100 less someone could buy NVIDIA's GTX580. While the GTX580 doesn't have the same performance it is hardly a slouch. On the other hand others are happy to see that the HD7970 has taken back the performance crown and given NVIDIA food for thought. Either way, there can be no doubting the HD7970's performance and performance three fold: speed, power consumption and cooling. AMD it seems, have got the balance just right save for the price. So if it is not broken, why change it? That seems to be the philosphy behind the HIS version of the HD7970 as on the face of it at least, it is identical in terms of both aesthetics and cooling by using the same heatsink/cooling design as the vanilla HD7970/7950.
HIS are renown for implementing some very distinctive, inovative coolers. Take for example their IceQ range. Excellent cooling ability it may have but the design was not to everyone's tastes. So then, in this example at least, HIS have decided to go with the stock AMD cooler with little more than a sticker to identify the brand. Many manufacturers take this approach so HIS cannot be criticised for using the reference design and as we have seen, the AMD cooler is much improved so it makes sense, especially this early in the production line. No doubt we will see HIS implement their own cooling design and perhaps a customised PCB later in the year but for now, the HIS card we have for review today is a reference design.
About HIS
HIS is proud to be AMD's Authorized 1st Tier AIB Partner, Certified Partner and Launching Partner. Long term and favourable relationship with AMD, enable HIS to work closely with AMD to promote the HIS AMD Graphics Board; and to strive for best value on the marketing and sales of HIS AMD Product Line. In Sept 2003, HIS incorporated the state-of-the art Supreme Cooling Technology in the award winning HIS 9800Pro IceQ, which caught the attention of worldwide media. Since then, HIS IceQ series and the latest IceQ X series has been the limelight in the market for its outstanding performance and features over the other rivals. Today, HIS continues its avid commitment to quality product and service. HIS is certain to be Your Choice of Graphics Board Supplier.
HIS is proud to be AMD's Authorized 1st Tier AIB Partner, Certified Partner and Launching Partner. Long term and favourable relationship with AMD, enable HIS to work closely with AMD to promote the HIS AMD Graphics Board; and to strive for best value on the marketing and sales of HIS AMD Product Line. In Sept 2003, HIS incorporated the state-of-the art Supreme Cooling Technology in the award winning HIS 9800Pro IceQ, which caught the attention of worldwide media. Since then, HIS IceQ series and the latest IceQ X series has been the limelight in the market for its outstanding performance and features over the other rivals. Today, HIS continues its avid commitment to quality product and service. HIS is certain to be Your Choice of Graphics Board Supplier.
