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MSI GeForce GTX 460 Cyclone 1GD5/OC |
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Introduction, Features, Package
Today we take a look at MSI's second non-reference GeForce GTX 460 1GB variant, the Cyclone 1GD5/OC. In this article we'll be covering the features implemented into this overclocked Cyclone Edition, as well as how it compares to its big brother the HAWK which we reviewed earlier here, and of course performance when overclocked.
 
MSI's GeForce GTX 460 Cyclone 1GD5/OC measures in at 201 x 110 x 38 mm in size and requires a minimum of 450W or greater system power supply. Cooling is provided by a large dual-heatpipe heatsink attached to a nickel-plater copper base, and 9cm PWM controlled fan. As with all cards in NVIDIA's mainstream to high end 400-series segment it features support for NVIDIA's SLI multi-GPU technology, 3D Vision, 3D Vision Surround, PhysX acceleration and Microsoft DirectX 11 game support, as well as a variety of video enhancement technologies under the NVIDIA PureVideo umbrella.
 
Inside the box we find a pair of manuals, one is quick user's guide and the other an overview of the features and general requirements of the video card. A software and driver disc for installation is also included. Two PCI-Express 6-pin to Molex power connectors are present, as well as a DVI to HDMI converter, DVI to VGA converter. No mini-HDMI to HDMI adapter is present unfortunately, but other than that, a good package and in line with what we have come to expect from MSI.
 
MSI's GeForce GTX 460 Cyclone 1GD5/OC conforms to the reference array of connectors which include a pair of dual-link DVI outputs along with a mini-HDMI (version 1.4a) output header. It also features enhanced audio support over HDMI, including bitstreaming support for both Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio over HDMI with the supporting software packages.
On the top of the card we find a single SLI connector; due to the mainstream nature of this card NVIDIA has limited it's scaling abilities to two cards. While most enthusiast would love to tri-SLI three of these cards, only the GTX 465, 470, 480 and 580 allow more than two card in a supporting motherboard.
At the end of the card with find a pair of PCI-Express 6-pin power connectors, which is a pretty standard offering for a GTX 460 video card; not straying from the NVIDIA reference design.
The MSI GeForce GTX 460 Cyclone features Samsung K4G10325FE-HC05 GDDR5 memory which is rated at 1000 MHz (4000 MHz effective). With the default memory clock set at 900 MHz there leaves some room to move when overclocking.
MSI utilise an all Sold Capacitor design, Super Ferrite Chokes and Hi-C Capacitors to enhance current capacity, power efficiency and the cards lifespan. This can apparently reduce the chance for any electrical buzzing or whining that can be present on cards that use cheaper components that can deteriorate with prolonged use.
MSI's Afterburner software is developed in partnership with the people that created RivaTuner. This piece of software allows for the adjustment of the core (GPU) voltage as well as the usual core and memory frequency adjustment, and monitoring capabilities.
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