Introduction

The Radeon HD 6450, as well as the Radeon HD 6570 are certainly good graphics cards in its price range, have not the necessary performance but yet to play latest games in the highest details only approach. This privilege falls only to AMD’s new Radeon HD 6670 (computer base test), which at the same time is for under 100 euros in numerous variations.

We have seen us until today only the dual-slot reference design, which offers a special feature with a low-profile format. However, this has with regard to the cooling system with some weaknesses to fight. This is why we have invited us a Radeon HD 6670 PowerColor and Sapphire in the test lab, that go both with a different cooler at the start.

But the products are even better than the reference design? And if so, which has the nose front? We clarify that on the next pages.

The candidates

PowerColor Radeon HD 6670

PowerColor is the Radeon HD 6670 on a specially designed PCB and relies on a modified dual cooler of slot, order to be able to drop off from the competition. Differently than in the reference design the full ATX format is used. There is no more special features on the video card, since the clock rates exceed not the specifications of AMD.

≪ div > Photo Gallery “PowerColor Radeon HD 6670″ (10 images)

The PowerColor Radeon HD 6670 is currently starting from 70 euro listed and available for 72 euros.

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Sapphire Radeon HD 6670

Sapphire holds currently two versions of the Radeon HD 6670 in the own portfolio:

• Sapphire Radeon HD 6670: Own design, standard clock rate, 512 MB
• Sapphire Radeon HD 6670: Own design, standard clock rates, 1,024 MB

Also Sapphire uses the own adaptation of the Radeon HD 6670 on the clock rates from AMD, which is why the show exactly same quickly works like the reference design. The PCB is an in-house development such as PowerColor at full-ATX form factor and comes to the hotel’s own Radeon HD 6570 used. The dual-slot cooling system comes from Arctic and has strong similarities with the “Accelero L2 Pro”.

The Sapphire Radeon HD 6670 is listed currently from 78 euros and available.

&Lt; div > “Sapphire Radeon HD 6670″ Photo Gallery (9 pictures)

Benchmarks

The following benchmarks were identified with the current graphics cards-test system based on an Intel Core i7 965. It is operated with a frequency of 3.87 GHz unnecessarily slow the cards. As a driver came for all measurements (including power and volume) of catalyst 10.10e (HD 6670: 8.842RC2) or the GeForce 262.99 used.

Performance rating

PowerColor or Sapphire the own adaptation of the Radeon HD have 6670 overclocked, both graphics cards work exactly as fast as the reference design of AMD. This is the graphics card in our lightweight test course on average under 1,680 x 1,050 by 22 percent before the Radeon HD 5670, must the Radeon HD beaten but 5750 by 20 percent. The NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 renders 17 percent faster.

Other measurements

The PowerColor Radeon HD 6670 does a reasonable job with regard to the volume under Windows. The result is not more than “acceptable” but because the fan quite hear out of a closed case out. However, the run is quite quiet. The Sapphire derivative performed an excellent achievement, however, because with 39.5 decibels is inaudible.

Similarly, it looks under load. The result of the PowerColor card is quite good, because like the show to perform the duties while audible but still relatively pleasant. But the Sapphire development remains inaudible in the same scenario and is barely louder than in 2D mode – with 41 decibels exemplary!

At the temperatures, the two test candidates are consistently in the green range. Under load the PowerColor card with 51 degrees Celsius won the test winner, is what is primarily explained by the high fan speeds. The Sapphire adaptation but hardly warmer with 61 degree and attained a good result as yet.

The PowerColor Radeon HD 6670 needed 159 Watts on Windows (the entire PC is meant), is what three Watts under the values of reference designs. The Sapphire card is not so frugal with 161 Watts, placed but still before a standard card.

Under load the PowerColor product with 236 Watts two Watts then draws less out of the pipe as the reference design, while is the Sapphire Radeon HD 6670 beaten must give this to two Watts. Despite the differences, but very similar to operate all three Radeon-HD-6670-copies.

When overclocking, there are unfortunately the two graphics cards to report nothing exciting, because in both cases, the downloaded BIOS is the limiting factor. More than 900 MHz for the GPU and 2300 MHz for the memory can be simply not set, what both products easily create. The performance goes up around eleven to twelve percent.

The volume of the video card retains yet equal to the default clock, while the power consumption by two (Sapphire) rises up to three Watts (PowerColor).

Conclusion

There is currently no single Radeon HD 6670 with higher clock speeds than the reference design, so that the cards on the market only differ by the cooling system. And in this we can make a clear winner among the two test candidates: the Sapphire Radeon HD 6670.

The cooling system is consistently acting without blemish, because the results are hard to improve. On Windows the card not the remaining components of a closed case is indistinguishable and the same is true under load, because the fan in the scenario hardly faster turns. The Sapphire Radeon HD 6670 is thus easily suitable for a silent PC. Temperatures do not suffer from this and are in the green range.

&Lt; div > “Sapphire Radeon HD 6670″ Photo Gallery (9 pictures)

The PowerColor development must admit defeat with the second place, although the show is also quite pretty quiet. However, the fan when compared to the competition is simply too loud – on Windows, as well as under load.

With regard to power consumption, both products are very similar. The PowerColor card is usually a few Watts less from the outlet, with amounts but consistently at less than five Watts.

Thus, the Sapphire Radeon HD 6670 as clear winner emerges from the battle. As long as the frequencies of the graphics card are not increased, will it difficult the other Board partners, only to be able to achieve the good result of 3D-Beschleunigers.

&Lt; div > Photo Gallery “PowerColor Radeon HD 6670″ (10 images)

Also price is nothing against the handle to the Sapphire map. The PowerColor version is the most convenient card on the market with a price of EUR 70, with 78 euro the Sapphire version but only slightly more expensive – an investment that should make shower natures.

&Lt; div > PowerColor Radeon HD 6670 < div > positive properties

• Sometimes fast enough for 1680 x 1050-1xAA/1xAF
• Quietly under Windows and under load, could be better
• Consistently very low power consumption, except in the Blu-ray-operation
• Eyefinity for use in Office
• With 1,024 MB of sufficiently dimensioned space required for the performance class

Our article on the launch of the card provides detailed information about the AMD Radeon HD 6670.