Introduction

Last month, a lot has happened in the 200-euro price segment. What at first was a domain of the GeForce GTX 460, became the playing field of the meaner, newly introduced Radeon HD 6870 (computer base test). NVIDIA has however not last long on to wait and the GeForce GTX 460 in the price drop and then replace the GeForce GTX 470 chosen. What works in theory quite well, practically but has one big disadvantage: the reference design of the 470 is simply much too loud.

Your own themes of the manufacturers to improve this situation, of which there are a handful of well. These cost slightly more though, but manage to reduce the noise level to a tolerable level. We have the GeForce GTX 470 twin Frozr II of MSI slightly more considered, which would put an end to the noise.

MSI GeForce GTX 470 twin Frozr II.

MSI holds a total of two different versions of the GeForce GTX 470 in the own portfolio:

• MSI GeForce GTX 470: reference design, standard clock rates, 1,280 MB
• MSI GeForce GTX 470 twin Frozr II: custom design, standard clock rates, 1,280 MB

MSI GeForce GTX 470 twin Frozr II is listed for about 238 euros and available from 247 euro. The availability is currently fine, but room for improvement.

≪ div > Photo Gallery “MSI GeForce GTX 470 twin Frozr II” (14 images)

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 the catalyst 10.10 or GeForce 260.99 used.

Performance rating

Because MSI GeForce GTX 470 sends twin Frozr II with the standard clock rates at the start, works just as fast the graphics card like NVIDIA’s reference design. For this reason we have decided, not separately mapped the MSI card in the benchmark. The GeForce GTX 470 at 1920 x 1200 in selected games in an average of two percent before the Radeon HD 6870 and eight percent behind the Radeon HD 5870 is located in it.

Other measurements

On Windows, already the reference design of the GeForce GTX 470 in terms of volume has no problem, but the MSI GeForce GTX 470 twin Frozr II sets on top of another. The graphics card from a closed housing is not out audible with 41 decibels.

Under load, the standard model then literally explodes while the twin-Frozr-II development remains always yet pleasantly quiet. 47 Decibels is the result, which is the run grabs the place in the Sun. Thus, the fans are quite audible, what negative impact but noticeable while playing at any time.

With regard to the temperatures must be when buying the MSI GeForce GTX 470 twin Frozr II no thoughts are made. On Windows we measure 39 degrees Celsius and last no more than 72 degrees Celsius. Thus, the cooling system itself for warm summer days has sufficient reserves.

Because MSI on the GeForce GTX 470 twin Frozr II (apart from the cooler) is completely standard-model sets, we have expected with a similar power consumption such as for the reference design. And on Windows it is so: with 182 Watts (the entire PC is meant) the accelerator is exactly at the level of an ordinary GeForce GTX 470. Under load the MSI development with 369 Watt is somewhat less power-hungry, because the reference design comes to 383 Watts. Thus, the product but still not nearly reached the regions of comparable AMD cards.

Our MSI GeForce GTX 470 twin Frozr II can be good overclock. The TMU domain makes a increase of 144 MHz with the Shadereinheiten, or even 287 MHz. The 1280 MB GDDR5 memory is as somewhat more restrained, as first graphical errors show up at a higher frequency than 1.776 MHz (+ 102 MHz). Performance increases as, depending on the application between 14 and 16 percent.

In overclocked mode the graphics card take 25 Watts is more from the power line at a 5.5 decibels higher volume. The GPU temperature rises to five degrees Celsius. The GPU voltage is the ordinary 0,937 volts.

Conclusion

MSI GeForce GTX 470 twin Frozr II is superior to the reference design, which however also not difficult. The reason is not in the performance, because here the producer adheres to the specifications of NVIDIA. The advantage of the twin-Frozr-II card is found in the installed cooling system, which is superior to landslide in all aspects of the standard version.

On Windows, the graphics card remains whisper-quiet and under load is the fan is audible, remains but pleasant. The reference design switches in the scenario, however, on “party volume”. At the same time, the temperatures are lower, because under load is the GeForce GTX 470 twin Frozr II not warmer than 72 degrees Fahrenheit, while the reference design easily cracks the 90-degree mark. In terms of power consumption, there are only a small improvement in 3D to about 15 watts. Nevertheless, the hunger for energy is still very high.

≪ div > Photo Gallery “MSI GeForce GTX 470 twin Frozr II” (14 images)

We sum up: the volume, the temperatures and conditional within even the power of the GeForce GTX 470 twin Frozr II MSI are significantly better than the reference design successfully. Little because it bothers that the manufacturer has raised not the performance. But there is a catch: with around 250 euros, the accelerator is just under 50 euros expensive as a normal Variant. This surcharge is excessive, the end product but also without a doubt a good deal better. Therefore, we recommend at the end of the MSI card GeForce GTX-470-interested in-ear will thank it to one. It is however to bear in mind that there are now some Radeon-HD 5870 cards for the same price, which offer a higher speed and better power dissipation – go but louder to the point. The buying decision should be made to the weighting of the volume.

&Lt; div > MSI GeForce GTX 470 twin Frozr II < div > positive properties

• Fast enough for 1920 x 1200
• Most AA/AF possible
• Very fast DirectX 11
• SSAA in all APIs possible
• CUDA/PhysX
• Consistently very quiet