msi lightning xe 3gb hardocp review

[SirPauly]

Originally Posted by Rollo

I similarly welcomed the Zotac 3GB GTX580 at $499:

http://www.frys.com/product/6617504

and the 2GB GTX560:

http://www.provantage.com/zotac-zt-5...m~7ZOTC08U.htm

Yea, verily, when you consider these with the Palit, MSi, and Gainward cards (others?) there is truly no shortage of 2-3GB NVIDIA cards for a surround gamer to pick from.

I think it's great! If someone really desires to build a 2560 x 1600 surround platform to a 1680 x 1050 surround platform there is welcomed choice.

[Rollo]

Originally Posted by slaWter

Choice is good. But the initial release happened a long time ago. Now there are different products to pick from but that wasn't the case at release.
That's the most important point in time for a product. And in my opinion it's always best to start with the best possible version and then release the lesser versions later on. AMD did this when it comes to VRAM.

1. People could do surround gaming with 4GB GTX295s, 2GB GTX285s, and 2GB GTX460s long before 6950s and 6970s launched. (not to mention other ATi 2-4GB cards)

2. 2GB 560s and 3GB 580s launched within 6 weeks of 6950s and 6970s.

[Roadhog]

Originally Posted by Rollo

1. People could do surround gaming with 4GB GTX295s, 2GB GTX285s, and 2GB GTX460s long before 6950s and 6970s launched. (not to mention other ATi 2-4GB cards)

2. 2GB 560s and 3GB 580s launched within 6 weeks of 6950s and 6970s.

Except nvidia never actually made any of those gpus. Would a 460 even have the power to drive anything that would use 2gb vram? lol

[SirPauly]

Originally Posted by slaWter

Choice is good. But the initial release happened a long time ago. Now there are different products to pick from but that wasn't the case at release.
That's the most important point in time for a product. And in my opinion it's always best to start with the best possible version and then release the lesser versions later on. AMD did this when it comes to VRAM.

Sure, it's tough to be ideal at all times. The key is there is choice now. AMD is a strong competitor with many positives and strengths --- wouldn't have it any other way.

[SirPauly]

Originally Posted by Rollo

1. People could do surround gaming with 4GB GTX295s, 2GB GTX285s, and 2GB GTX460s long before 6950s and 6970s launched. (not to mention other ATi 2-4GB cards)

2. 2GB 560s and 3GB 580s launched within 6 weeks of 6950s and 6970s.

One thing that was neat was the 2XX series from nVidia could enjoy surround gaming without the need to upgrade for it. If one was a Sli owner at that time surround gaming offered really nice value for many.

It's certainly nice to have more ram and less limitations but one can enjoy surround gaming with 1 gig of ram in many titles. I am just glad to see AMD and nVidia offer this choice for their customers and about time. What bothers me is all of sudden because AMD did go to 2 gigs -- now it was essential and anything less was abominable!

This review from Type was outstanding to me based on he tried to convey and discuss gaming experiences and was from this site:

http://www.nvnews.net/reviews/matrox.../page_18.shtml

[Rollo]

Originally Posted by SirPauly

Sure, it's tough to be ideal at all times.

Which makes NVIDIA's perfection all the more amazing!

[SirPauly]

nVidia perfection!

http://http.download.nvidia.com/down...Storm_Song.mp3

[Skinner]

This thing is nowhere in stock...

[wheeljack12]

yeah, I know. I was considering two of these before going quad sli gtx 590. Tried every retailer, not even ebay has it!

[Skinner]

Originally Posted by slaWter

Well for 3GB cards, the MSIs are the wrong choice anyway. Stick to the reference cooler guys!
Otherwise Tri-SLI is almost impossible. Or even SLI when you have to sandwich the cards. This is based on first hand experience with the Palits.

Well, I've enough space for two of them and my case is pretty cool.
These are made of the best parts and draw even less power.

But apart from collecting dust in the newegg's warehouses, they're still nowhere to find.

[sammy sung]

Originally Posted by slaWter

Well for 3GB cards, the MSIs are the wrong choice anyway. Stick to the reference cooler guys!
Otherwise Tri-SLI is almost impossible. Or even SLI when you have to sandwich the cards. This is based on first hand experience with the Palits.

The msi cooler is better than the palit's, can't compare the 2 tbh. Sli is fine if you have good ventilation (or you will get issues) but you're right about Tri-sli. Tri-sli is borderline on air anyway.