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MSI Readies N480GTX Lightning Graphics Card

Discussion in 'News' started by btarunr, Sep 11, 2010.

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  1. Sep 11, 2010 at 8:44 PM #1
    btarunr

    btarunr Editor & Senior Moderator Staff Member

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    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.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    More pictures follow.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Source: TechConnect Magazine
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 12, 2010
    Soylent Joe, scaminatrix, ebolamonkey3 and 1 other person say thanks.
  2. Sep 11, 2010 at 8:46 PM #2

    copenhagen69

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    Awesome!!
     
  3. Sep 11, 2010 at 8:50 PM #3
    theonedub

    theonedub habe fidem

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    I think the TwinFrozrII design is better than this TwinFrozr3, but that aside- this looks like a killer card.
     
    Crunching for Team TPU
  4. Sep 11, 2010 at 9:04 PM #4
    CDdude55

    CDdude55 Crazy 4 TPU!!!

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    Looks like an awesome card.:rockout:
     
  5. Sep 11, 2010 at 9:26 PM #5
    Batou1986

    Batou1986

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    2 8 pins AND a 6 pin holy crap that's alota amps
     
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  6. Sep 11, 2010 at 9:49 PM #6
    cadaveca

    cadaveca My name is Dave

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

    :laugh:
     
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  7. Sep 11, 2010 at 10:07 PM #7
    LAN_deRf_HA

    LAN_deRf_HA

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    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.
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2010
  8. Sep 11, 2010 at 10:13 PM #8
    pantherx12

    pantherx12

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    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.
     
  9. Sep 11, 2010 at 10:51 PM #9

    Taskforce Guest

    Just in time to feel the might of 6000!!!
     
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  10. Sep 11, 2010 at 10:52 PM #10

    copenhagen69

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    W1z you got one of these?
     
  11. Sep 11, 2010 at 10:58 PM #11
    Bo$$

    Bo$$ Lab Extraordinaire

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    this may be for support rather than cooling and it is better than other Backplates i have seen, knowing MSI they always have reasons
     
  12. Sep 12, 2010 at 12:40 AM #12
    MxPhenom 216

    MxPhenom 216 Corsair Fanboy

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


    I need new pants:toast:
     
  13. Sep 12, 2010 at 1:17 AM #13
    LAN_deRf_HA

    LAN_deRf_HA

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    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.
     
  14. Sep 12, 2010 at 1:28 AM #14
    CDdude55

    CDdude55 Crazy 4 TPU!!!

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    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.
     
  15. Sep 12, 2010 at 1:38 AM #15
    overclocking101

    overclocking101

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    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
     
  16. Sep 12, 2010 at 2:35 AM #16
    douglatins

    douglatins

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    MSI is getting my attention, i might change EVGA to MSI as favourite brand
     
  17. Sep 12, 2010 at 2:37 AM #17
    Maban

    Maban

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    This is a perfect candidate for a 512 shader version.
     
  18. Sep 12, 2010 at 2:59 AM #18
    theonedub

    theonedub habe fidem

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    I dont know if its the angle of the pics, but it looks like the card is wider than normal PCIe cards too.
     
    Crunching for Team TPU
  19. Sep 12, 2010 at 3:02 AM #19

    toyo

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    I would so like one of these for a power Premiere Pro setup...
     
  20. Sep 12, 2010 at 3:27 AM #20
    Animalpak

    Animalpak

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    bad ass card, i like it very much
     
  21. Sep 12, 2010 at 3:55 AM #21
    xrealm20

    xrealm20

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    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....
     
  22. Sep 12, 2010 at 5:21 AM #22
    ebolamonkey3

    ebolamonkey3 New Member

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

    Honestly thought I liked the Twin Frozr II design better.
     
  23. Sep 12, 2010 at 5:42 AM #23
    pantherx12

    pantherx12

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    Bet it's just a different shroud and exact same heatsink.
     
  24. Sep 12, 2010 at 6:52 AM #24

    Draygonn New Member

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    Test it against the Zotac AMP edition and Sparkle's Calibre.
     
  25. Sep 12, 2010 at 6:54 AM #25
    buggalugs

    buggalugs

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    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.
     
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