We look at MSI's out-of-spec 5870 Lightning and 5770 HAWK cards!
Graphics cards typically aren't too exciting to look at. Sure, you get different heatsink designs from time to time, but apart from that you're likely to only see PCB colour changes.
MSI have completely thrown a curveball our way with their latest 5870 Lightning card though; not only does it have their Twin Frozr II heatsink on it, but it's got a frankenPCB that extends an inch or so higher than usual!
This extra space gives MSI's Lightning plenty of room for all the extra military-grade components that have been used in construction; and for serious subzero overclockers, there is no parallel for this quality.
We've also got our hands on the 5770 HAWK - while it also uses the Twin Frozr II, it seems to be a cut-down version, which leads us to wonder why the heatsinks have the same name at all when clearly they're different.
Regardless of naming woes, the cards on offer here are certainly exciting, though with the features they're boasting they won't be cheap.
Head to the gallery of pics to see the bigger PCB and both cards, and keep watching the mag for the full reviews; will the heavy-duty components help?
Issue: 137 | June, 2012