MSI GTX780 Lightning Review

MSI GTX780 Lightning Review

Features

As we saw on the previous page there is a lot of metal supporting the PCB on the Lightning. So often companies focus upon dissipating the heat, rather than ensuring the PCB can also stand the strain of such wild temperatures in the first place. With a sandwich of thermal plates, alongside the optional MOS heatsink and the cooler itself, you should be able to push for high overclocks without being thermally limited. 

MSI GTX780 Lightning Review     MSI GTX780 Lightning Review  

Rather than just have three standard fans that run according to a single profile, the fans on the TriFrozr cooler are fully independent. Anything that gives additional control has to be a good thing.

Voltage fluctuation is one of the key elements for a stable overclock. When you’re on the ragged edge the last thing you need is a sudden spike which freezes your system up mid-test. The Lightning has, if MSI are to be believed, the flattest ripple profile of any GTX780.

MSI GTX780 Lightning Review     MSI GTX780 Lightning Review  

Just take a moment to look at these figures. It’s okay, we’ll wait for you to pick your jaw up. As near as makes no difference unlimited power potential. You could probably start cooling with liquid helium and not be limited by the amount of current available. The ‘Military Class 4’ components that form the backbone of the Lightning certainly earn their money.

MSI GTX780 Lightning Review     MSI GTX780 Lightning Review  

Although the video is currently offline, we love the demonstration of the importance of fan design. It’s not solely about moving the air about, but actually moving it to where you want it. 

MSI GTX780 Lightning Review     MSI GTX780 Lightning Review Â