14 DAY TRIAL // The video card that Hightech Information Systems has just revealed is a sort of modification to one released back in March, the same way AMD's GHz edition adapters are modifications of other boards.
The initial model went by the name of Radeon HD 7970 IceQ X², and the GPU had a frequency of 925 MHz, while the 3 GB of GDDR5 memory operated at 5,500 MHz.
The new IceQ X² also has 3 GB of RAM, but the clock speed is of 6,000 MHz, much in the same way the GPU operates at 1,000 MHz instead of 925 MHz.
An addition that HIS felt it was necessary to specifically mention is the PowerTune technology, which automatically overclocks the graphics chip to 1,050 MHz when needed.
Granted, 50 MHz isn't much, and there is little chance for games or other programs to need even half of the 1 GHz the GPU can provide under normal circumstances.
Still, on the off chance that a graphics editing program, or something else with high requirements, actually subjects the card to pressure, that 50 extra Hz could make a difference, however small.
Moving on, HIS gave its Radeon HD 7970 IceQ X² GHz Edition two DisplayPort 1.2 outputs (maximum resolution of 4096 x 2160 pixels per display), one dual-link DVI port (2560 x 1600 pixels) and one HDMI output (2560 x 1600 pixels, probably).
Finally, the cooler, with its two fans, five heatpipes (3x 6mm and 2x 8mm) and Q&C fan blades is not only effective, but quiet as well.
In fact, it generates a sound of below 28dB during most situations, 15dB quieter than the reference cooler from Advanced Micro Devices. A back plate is part of the mix, further reducing temperature.
HIS has not said what price people need to, or will have to, pay for the Radeon HD 7970 IceQ X² GHz Edition. Given that the previous one cost $450 / 450 Euro, this one should sell for just about the same.