MSI Readies N480GTX Lightning Graphics Card

[btarunr]

Here is MSI's latest creation, the N480GTX Lightning. This GeForce GTX 480 based monstrosity is geared for extreme overclocking, and caters to the highest-end consumer segments, but at a surprisingly modest price (relatively) of $550. It features a factory-overclocked GTX 480 GPU clocked at 750/1500/1000(4000) MHz, with standard memory amount of 1.5 GB across a 384-bit wide memory interface, 480 CUDA cores, and 4-way SLI support. Where the fun kicks in is its design. The card uses a beastly-looking dual-fan double-slot air cooler that makes use of dense aluminum fin arrays, and distributed heat zones.

Under the hood, is a powerful power circuit that makes use of a 17-phase VRM, with four super ML Proadlizer capacitors for power conditioning, and high-C flatbed capacitors overall. There are noiseless solid-state chokes and high-grade direct FETs Power is drawn in from two 8-pin and one 6-pin power connectors. Apart from consolidated voltage measure points, DIP switches provide a certain amount of control over some settings. Overclocker-friendly feature include dual BIOS. Display outputs include dual DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort. MSI did not reveal exactly when this card will make it to the market, or whether it's a Limited Edition product.



More pictures follow.



Source: TechConnect Magazine

[copenhagen69]

Awesome!!

[theonedub]

I think the TwinFrozrII design is better than this TwinFrozr3, but that aside- this looks like a killer card.

[CDdude55]

Looks like an awesome card.

[Batou1986]

2 8 pins AND a 6 pin holy crap that's alota amps

[cadaveca]

22-pins of affordable PSU-crushing POWAH!!!

[LAN_deRf_HA]

Reading about it I was like man I want this, looking at it I'm like WTF!!! Even the backplate looks awful. How do you mess up a flat piece of aluminum? What's with that horrendous plastic around the fan intakes? What bad design, complicating the production to worsen appearance. Utterly inefficient. Doesn't even look like there's any thermal pads on that backplate, so it just traps air and raises temps.

[pantherx12]

Originally Posted by LAN_deRf_HA

. Utterly inefficient. Doesn't even look like there's any thermal pads on that backplate, so it just traps air and raises temps.

I agree, nothing to cool on the back of the board as far as I can see.

It's probably so they can charge an extra 5-10$ for a 30 cent piece of metal.

Just in time to feel the might of 6000!!!

[copenhagen69]

W1z you got one of these?

[Bo$$]

Originally Posted by LAN_deRf_HA

Reading about it I was like man I want this, looking at it I'm like WTF!!! Even the backplate looks awful. How do you mess up a flat piece of aluminum? What's with that horrendous plastic around the fan intakes? What bad design, complicating the production to worsen appearance. Utterly inefficient. Doesn't even look like there's any thermal pads on that backplate, so it just traps air and raises temps.

this may be for support rather than cooling and it is better than other Backplates i have seen, knowing MSI they always have reasons

[MxPhenom 216]

I want this card so bad!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG. it would be better if it was a gtx485 though


I need new pants

[LAN_deRf_HA]

Originally Posted by Bo$$

this may be for support rather than cooling and it is better than other Backplates i have seen, knowing MSI they always have reasons

What other backplates? Only other one I've seen is the evga backplate, and that's about as perfect as it gets, like that fact that it actually cools while supporting.

[CDdude55]

Originally Posted by LAN_deRf_HA

Doesn't even look like there's any thermal pads on that backplate, so it just traps air and raises temps.

Maybe they didn't put any thermal pads on it because all they would use that card for is ''promotional'' pictures for the card on tech sites?

Who knows.

[overclocking101]

this card looks intense! im willing to bet its there simply to support mosfe cooling and that ginormous core cooler. but by the looks of those FETs they will need massive cooling

[douglatins]

MSI is getting my attention, i might change EVGA to MSI as favourite brand

[Maban]

This is a perfect candidate for a 512 shader version.

[theonedub]

I dont know if its the angle of the pics, but it looks like the card is wider than normal PCIe cards too.

[toyo]

I would so like one of these for a power Premiere Pro setup...

[Animalpak]

bad ass card, i like it very much

[xrealm20]

jesus -- why does it need two 2 pins and 1 six pin pci-e connectors?

that's 375 watts of "spec" additional power that the card can pull....

[ebolamonkey3]

I so... want this! But 2x 8pin and a 6 pin... wow...

Honestly thought I liked the Twin Frozr II design better.

[pantherx12]

Originally Posted by ebolamonkey3

I so... want this! But 2x 8pin and a 6 pin... wow...

Honestly thought I liked the Twin Frozr II design better.

Bet it's just a different shroud and exact same heatsink.

[Draygonn]

Test it against the Zotac AMP edition and Sparkle's Calibre.

[buggalugs]

Originally Posted by LAN_deRf_HA

What other backplates? Only other one I've seen is the evga backplate, and that's about as perfect as it gets, like that fact that it actually cools while supporting.

The reference 5870's have backplates as do the reference 5850's. Its not unusual.

Could be a protection thing but anyway it doesnt seem to affect temps too much. My 5870 idles at 35 degrees and load around 60, for a stock fan thats pretty cool for a graphics card.