Sapphire’s Dual-X HD 7970 now ready

The Sapphire HD 7970 OC Edition features Sapphire’s new Dual-X cooler, a multi-heatpipe cooler with dual fans providing quiet and cool operation. The Sapphire HD 7970 OC Edition ships with a raised core clock speed of 950MHz, and 1425MHz (5.7GHz effective) for the memory. Its Dual BIOS switch allows users to select the higher performance settings of 1GHz core and 1450MHz memory, making the fastest card in its class. This setting also uses a more aggressive fan profile and raises the limits for maximum overclocking.

For enthusiasts wishing to maximise performance TriXX allows for tuning of GPU voltage as well as core and memory clocks, whilst continuously displaying temperature. Manual control of fan speed is supported, as well as user created fan profiles and the ability to save up to four different performance settings. The Sapphire HD 7970 is ready for DirectX 11.1 and the new Windows 8 operating system as well as delivering all the features of the current DirectX 11 such as DirectCompute11 and multi threaded communications with the CPU. Communication with the host PC is optimised with the implementation of the latest high speed PCI-Express Gen3.0 interface, and multiple cards can be used to further enhance performance in CrossFireX mode on a suitably specified mainboard.

HDMI specifications have also increased in the HD 7000 series. Fast HDMI 1.4a supports Stereoscopic 3D with enhanced frame rates of 60Hz per eye – 120Hz total. It is also ready for the next generation of 4K displays that can be driven from a single high speed input of 3GHz HDMI 1.4a or DisplayPort 1.2 HBR2.Working or gaming with multiple monitors is becoming increasingly popular, and the Sapphire HD 7970 supports this with AMD Eyefinity. With its DVI, HDMI and two mini-DisplayPort outputs the card can support configurations of up to 6 monitors.

In addition to the standard bundle consisting of an Active mini-DP to single-link DVI adaptor for Eyefinity setup, CrossFire bridge cable, HDMI to DVI adaptor for dual DVI setup, DVI to VGA adaptor, 8 pin to 4 pin power adaptor and 6 pin to 4 pin power adaptor, Sapphire also provides an extra mini-DP to DP adaptor and a 1.8 metre HDMI 1.4a cable. The Sapphire HD 7970 OC is shipping now and will be available through Sapphire’s partners.

Source: PR