Shorter version of 3870X2

Scougar · 30 Jan 2008 at 07:20

http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5427&Itemid=1

PowerColor has an interesting version of of the Radeon HD 3870 X2 which is actually shorter than the reference design from ATI. This card features a brand new cooler and it requires just two 6-pin power connectors (no 8-pin). We found out that the card is overclocked, but we're not sure to what frequencies. Different power connectors is good news for those who don’t have an 8-pin PCIe connector on their PSU.

Interesting to note how much shorter they managed to get it and with a fairly simple cooler.

Gonna be some happy shuttle peeps and small case owners out there now

Matthew

theforce · 30 Jan 2008 at 07:24

Looks promising but i wonder how the cooler they have on this one will perform considering that the card shall be OC aswell.

WatchTower · 30 Jan 2008 at 07:28

Sounds promising for my Media centre case.

MystaEB · 30 Jan 2008 at 08:01

This is excellent, I might consider buying one now! Overclocked too!

Makes you wonder why ATI didn't do this in the first place.

HeX · 30 Jan 2008 at 08:35

Very intrested in this one, will be keeping an eye out for one of those!

melbourne720 · 30 Jan 2008 at 08:42

Shame it was "Shorter" not "Faster" or "Quieter".

Still, as a former shuttle fanboy, I approve

HeX · 30 Jan 2008 at 08:44

melbourne720 said:
Shame it was "Shorter" not "Faster" or "Quieter".

Still, as a former shuttle fanboy, I approve

I hope it will be quieter also.

The reason the X2 is noisy is because of the layout and cooler design, the fan has to have a lot of grunt just to push air all the way along the card and through 2 heatsinks.

With this shorter card the chips are closer and the fan in central...

Here's hoping anyway...

Tute · 30 Jan 2008 at 08:47

The normal one fits in the SG03!

Plus i'll give myself paper cuts on my eyelids before I go near Powercolor again. Then and Connect3D have the worst RMA service known to man.

gt_junkie · 30 Jan 2008 at 09:05

Looks like it's overclocked already so i'd imagine it's faster than the reference cards.

I like the cooler as the airflow from the fan is actually equally benefitting both cores. I know it's not expelling warm air from the case but i think i actually prefer this design TBH.

gt

HeX · 30 Jan 2008 at 09:26

http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5365&Itemid=34

GeCube version with Twin-Orb cooler as well looks pretty nice.

Think i'll wait for all these 3rd party solutions to come out before I decide once and for all.

Scougar · 30 Jan 2008 at 10:14

The gecube one actually looks pretty nice. I would hope it comes with at least 1 hdmi adaptor.

Matthew

wolvers · 30 Jan 2008 at 10:17

That powercolour card looks much wider than the stock card and I doubt that it would fit in my htpc case.

LLBDTiberio · 30 Jan 2008 at 13:37

Same here Hex, I'm waiting until a third party cooler is available for the X2, shame really cause I really want to burn the money now!

Skeeter · 30 Jan 2008 at 15:15

Lol, Everyone jumped all over the 9800GX2 images because of its 'useless and rubbish twin PCB design' yet seem to have completely missed that this is also a twin PCB. Thats how they have managed to get this card shorter. Id guess there being a GPU on each PCB, one ontop the other, therefore allowing a much shorter card.

Actually, looking at the 4 DVI outlets, im not even sure this is a true X2, or rather 2 standard 3870 boards stuck together using just the bridge chip from the middle of the reference X2 to allow them to talk.

Gerard · 30 Jan 2008 at 15:18

Skeeter said:
Lol, Everyone jumped all over the 9800GX2 images because of its 'useless and rubbish twin PCB design' yet seem to have completely missed that this is also a twin PCB.
.

Second small pcb looks like its just an add in for the secondary dvi ports.

HeX · 30 Jan 2008 at 15:22

Gerard said:
Second small pcb looks like its just an add in for the secondary dvi ports.

Yup, its just 2 x DVI ports stuck on the end as it doesn't need the vents.

Anyone with half an eyeball can see it isn't 2 full cards.

wolvers · 30 Jan 2008 at 15:35

HeX said:
Yup, its just 2 x DVI ports stuck on the end as it doesn't need the vents.

So where does the hot air go.............into the case..........nice! :rolleyes:

Just what you'd want.

J.D · 30 Jan 2008 at 15:39

wolvers69 said:
So where does the hot air go.............into the case..........nice! Just what you'd want.

Lol - That scenario seems not to be as shuttle friendly as first thought.

HeX · 30 Jan 2008 at 15:42

wolvers69 said:
So where does the hot air go.............into the case..........nice! Just what you'd want.

Just remove a blanking plate next to the card if you are that desperate for a vent plate...

The cooler isn't a blower type as such it doesn't need a vent plate at the back.

Also if your case has decent airflow it doesn't really matter.

I'd rather have the quieter non-blower card personally.

gt_junkie · 30 Jan 2008 at 15:48

HeX said:
I'd rather have the quieter non-blower card personally.

Same here!

Looks like a really nice solution. And if the old 2900's anything to go by the standard X2 must be a heavy beast. This powercolor looks like it will be a featherweight compared.

gt