Sapphire Radeon HD 6970 2GB Dual Fan Review - PAGE 1

The latest HD 6970 in the Sapphire arsenal may have the same internal architecture and specifications as the reference model, but don’t let this fool you: this is no average card. This model uses a new design that includes dual 90mm fans with thin impellers that can move the same amount of air as a conventional fan at 10% lower rotation speeds, at least according to Sapphire. This effectively equals higher efficiency at a lower decibel range. Additionally, the dual fan design includes special dust repelling bearings that prevent dust from entering the fans' internal enclosure, prolonging the life of the fans.

The Dual-Fan HD 6970 also features a dual BIOS design which allows the user to switch from “Standard” and “Performance” settings. This switch allows the BIOS to be toggled between the two modes; in the “Performance” mode, the core voltage is increased to 1.2V while the fans are automatically set to a high performance profile, and the PowerTune rating is increased to 50%. This of course facilitates higher overclocking and ensures the Sapphire HD 6970 Dual-Fan will run at the top of its game.

The Dual-Fan model is effectively replacing the reference design in Sapphire's product lineup, and launches at a very solid MSRP of $349.99. This means there is no markup for this model, so if the performance and overclocking deliver, it could be a steal in the high-end market.