At the end of 2010, as NVIDIA, and AMD released their new high-end graphics cards that have already visited our lab. We compare them with each other and with the previous generation of graphics cards.

We have become accustomed to video medium and high grades are based on a series based on the same GPU. But in the sixth series Radeon graphics cards, AMD has decided to change this rule. GPUs AMD Radeon HD 6970/6950 differ significantly from middle-class graphics processor AMD Radeon HD 6870/6850 (see. review in hi-Tech PRO 12/2010, with. 76), they have changed the structure and is much more complicated. Interestingly, despite such differences, functional cards AMD Radeon HD 68HH and AMD Radeon HD 69hh virtually identical, although the AMD Radeon HD 69hh can still boast some of the novelties. For example, on the dispersal of proprietary video driver is now a special item Power Control settings, which allows you to limit or, conversely, increase the limit power consumption video card ( a power level at which the video card will ...
Depending on how it can either make the card more cost-effective or the potential to achieve the best results when overclocked. In addition, on-board AMD Radeon HD 6870/6850 is set just two BIOS chips. One - for the modification and the second - a backup, in case the changes in the first memory chip led to the loss rabotosposobnsti video.
Another new product - Zotac GeForce GTX graphics card 580. It is based on the graphics card Nvidia GeForce GTX 580. Despite the fact that the card is in the new fifth series, it is just an improved version of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 480. Core architecture was slightly refined in the light of existing weaknesses ( graphics processor is now called GF110, previously - GF100), increased core clock and memory, as well as the cooling system used a different, although superficially it seems that the device is virtually unchanged.
In our review Nvidia GeForce GTX 480 ( cm. hi-Tech PRO 6/2010, with. 28), we talked about that at maximum load video was heated above the mark at 90 ° C, and this is also accompanied by a rather loud cooling fan, which, of course, was a major shortcoming. But with a new cooling system, the GeForce GTX 580 was the work not only much quieter, and core temperature under load does not exceed 83 ° C, which is absolutely normal value for the high-end graphics cards.

All presented in a test card - as HIS 6970 Fan 2GB, HIS 6950 Fan 2GB, and Zotac GeForce GTX 580 - are the same design and characteristics of the reference boards. This is a typical situation for new products, and subsequently in the range of data for certain manufacturers, you will see a model with the modified cooling systems and high frequencies.
Based on the results of tests (see. histogram.
Test 1.2 full version number of 2011. ), We can draw several conclusions:.
- Video cards based on Nvidia GeForce GTX 580, in this case the Zotac GeForce GTX 580, the fastest single-processor graphics cards on the market;.
- Dual video cards of last generation ATI Radeon 5970 are still the best graphics card on the market;.
- New single-processor graphics cards based on AMD Radeon HD 6970/6950 although superior to the previous generation high-end graphics card, but of a fundamentally new level of performance does not demonstrate, respectively, for the owners, for example, ATI Radeon HD 5870 transition to the AMD Radeon HD 6970 would not be justified;.
- Despite the fact that the video presented by HIS and Zotac with the same success can be attributed to high-end graphics cards, with each other, they are not rivals, as significant differences in performance and cost.
HIS 6970 Fan 2GB / HIS 6950 Fan 2GB.
The model card:.
AMD Radeon HD 6970/AMD Radeon HD 6950.
Interface: PCI Express 2. 0 x16 / PCI Express 2. 0x16.
Graphic processor: Cayman.
Process technology: 40 nm/40 nm.
Video Memory: 2 GB, GDDR5 / 2 GB, GDDR5.
Memory bus: 256 bit bit/256.
The number of computational pipelines: 1536/1408.
Frequency GPU: 880 MHz MGts/800.
The resulting memory frequency: 5500 MHz MGts/5000.
Support for instructions DirectX: 11.
Outputs: 2HDVI, HDMI, 2HminiDisplayPort/2HDVI,.
HDMI, DisplayPort.
Supplier: the representation of HIS.
Price: $ 380 / $ 305.
Rating:.
high functionality.
a great range of video.
good price positioning.
- The performance is not much different from the previous generation of high-performance graphics cards.
Zotac GeForce GTX 580.
Model: Nvidia GeForce GTX 580.
Interface: PCI Express 2. 0x16.
Support for instructions.
DirectX: DirectX 11.
Graphic processor: GF110.
Process technology: 40 nm.
Video Memory: 1536 MB, GDDR5.
Memory bus: 384 bits.
GPU / memory, resulting: 772/4008 MHz.
Outputs: 2 DVI, miniHDMI.
Supplier: www. kmdisti. com, 044 239-9955.
Price: $ 580.
Rating:.
excellent performance.
more efficient and quieter system ohlazhdzheniya compared to Nvidia GeForce GTX 480.
- Inflated recommended retail price for Ukraine.