Sapphire HD 7770 graphics card Vapor-X GHz Edition OC: Review, Performance and Specs

Regardless of the manufacturer’s graphic cards based on Radeon HD 7770 at this time are among the most interesting solutions. The cost of such devices a little more than a psychological mark of $100, with data adapters are a very good price / performance ratio. Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X GHz Edition OC is interesting, first of all, because in addition to the increased frequency, this model has at its disposal system evaporative cooling chamber.

Sapphire HD 7770 graphics card Vapor-X GHz Edition OC

Sapphire HD 7770 Design and layout

Graphic card line Vapor-X Sapphire take in the nomenclature of a special place. Traditionally, it is quite productive solutions for which the use of CO with an integrated camera flash is justified in terms of heat dissipation. Because the appearance of a line-up card on the basis of a very cost-effective and relatively inexpensive Radeon HD 7770 has caused great interest.

Sapphire HD 7770 graphics card Vapor-X GHz Edition OC
Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X GHz Edition OC is based on the already well known to us chip Cape Verde, which have a modern graphics architecture AMD Graphics Core Next and manufactured using 28-nanometer process technology. On the properties of the GPU will not dwell, anyone can read them in the appropriate material, we also consider in detail the possibility of a graphic card from Sapphire.

The abbreviation OC is not in the model name indicates double-valued on the factory tuning. Thus, the core runs at 1100 MHz (10%), instead of the recommended 1000 MHz and 1 GB of GDDR5 memory operating at 5200 MHz (16%), whereas the standard of reference models – 4500 MHz.

At the core brand evaporative cooling system is a camera that is in direct contact with the GPU. The main radiator block is a set of aluminium plates. Dimensions and, consequently, the area of the last scattering is relatively small, but in this case it is a device with a stated TDP at 80-100 watts, so too do not need to overdo it.

The design of Sapphire HD 7770 also uses two heat pipes, which are pressed into the ground cooler and diverge in opposite directions, piercing the radiator tape. For blowing the radiator uses a pair of 80-mm axial fans. These blades have a certain curved profile for increased air flow.
On top of the cooler is covered with a plastic cover with glossy and matte surfaces, which also includes decorative inserts made of transparent Plexiglas.
For the Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X GHz Edition OC use printed circuit board is very similar to the standard, but the PCB is made of turquoise color. Converter subsystem is made on a “3 +1 +1.” PCB length is 210 mm, but the protruding edge of the protective covers a decorative fan to increase the size of the graphic card – 225 mm. The device is quite compact, the difficulties with the installation in the average case do not arise.

 

On the upper edge of the PCB is a connector bridge CrossFireX, while the six-connector for connecting additional power supply is installed on the rear face.
The interface panel has a classic layout and a set of connectors for graphic cards with dual-slot CO – a pair of DVI, as well as the full-length HDMI and DisplayPort. A quarter of the fixing plate for a given air vent.

Delivery device for a given level can rarely does something surprising. Guide, CD with drivers, a Molex to six-to connector 12B, the DVI to VGA. A typical set of cards for the price range under consideration.

A nice bonus is included with the HDMI cable length 1.8 m Even if you do not plan on using it to connect a monitor or other display device, given the prevalence of UI in the economy is useful.

Inside Sapphire HD 7770

Sapphire HD 7770 graphics card Vapor-X GHz Edition OC

Mode with minimal graphics chip is heated to 32-33 degrees. In this case, we note that the card is very quiet. In the subjective evaluation “by ear” giving the impression that the fans are already very slow, but by visual inspection, as well as the actual speed of rotation, it appears that it is not. It is standard for such conditions ~ 1200 r / min. Successful design of the impeller and a good balancing of doing their job.

 

Under the serious gaming GPU load on the open bench warmed to 62 C, and, curiously, the level of noise emissions of almost not increased. It is not surprising, since the frequency of rotation in this case, only increased to about 1350 rev / min. In this case, it is obvious that the design of the evaporative cooler with a camera and a heat-pipe is good at heat dissipation, because there is no need to unscrew the fans in vain.

 

Continuing to study the effectiveness of the cooler in Sapphire HD 7770, higher temperatures could be achieved only after the launch of FurMark. Synthetic “donut”, once again confirming the title of fierce enemy of any graphics card, the chip warmed to 67 degrees. Turns fans, even in this case increased only up to 1600 rev / min.

Acceleration

Exploring the potential of video in the forced mode, in a test, it was able to increase the GPU frequency to 1190 MHz while the memory remained stable at 5980 MHz. For adapters on chip Cape Verde is high, although not a record.

Performance

Obviously, having a higher clock speed (1100/5200 MHz), the graphic card from Sapphire will have an advantage over Radepn HD 7770 with a suggested formula (1000/4500 MHz).
During normal operation, the advantage of Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X GHz Edition of the reference Radeon HD 7770 is ~ 7-15%, while after further acceleration is increased to 17-25% more tangible. In the confrontation with the graphic card on a chip Barts lot depends on the optimization of the engine. Most often an advantage on the side of the overclocked graphic card on Cape Verde, but in some subjects like the Radeon HD 6850 that it is too early to write off.

Results for Sapphire HD 7770

In the aggregate characteristics of Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X GHz Edition OC deserves high marks. Originally markedly increased clock speeds make it possible for part of the performance to compete, and often outperform the Radeon HD 6850. It is particularly worth mentioning the cooling system. Development of a proprietary Vapor-X with a flash camera in this case proved to be the best light – and very quiet, and copes with its main task. The considered modification of the graphic card from Sapphire is $ 10-15 more expensive models with recommended frequencies and cooling systems are close to the reference. In our view, given these advantages, such overpayment is justified.

Pros

+ Very quiet and efficient cooling system
+ High nominal frequencies of GPU / memory
+ Good potential for further acceleration
+ HDMI cable included

Cons

– No

Specification of Sapphire HD 7770:
• Sapphire Radeon HD7770 Vapor-X 1 GB (11201-05)
• GPU Radeon HD 7770
• The amount of memory, 1024 MB
• Memory Type GDDR5
• Interface PCI Express 3.0 x16
• Cooling system active
• The frequencies of the GPU, 1100 MHz
• Memory frequency, MHz 5200
• The memory bus, the 128 bit
• Output Connectors 2xDual-Link DVI-D, 1xHDMI (with 3D), 1xDisplay Port
• Dimensions in mm 225x110x43
• Supplementary feeding 2x6pin
• Support for DirectX DirectX 11.1

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