Sapphire unveils a new budget graphics card for golfers and a graphics processor based on AMD Radeon HD7770 the GHz OC Edition. And the specialist graphics solutions AMD gives a boost to the HD7770 GPU by offering a frequency of 1100 MHz with a factory overclocking.

The HD7770 is part of the family of graphics processors "Southern Island" like the Radeon 7900 and 7800. But this time it is a new GPU called "Cape Verde" keeping common characteristic burning twenty-eight nanometers, support for the PCI Express 3.0 technology AMD Core Zero Power and AMD Eyefinity. Onboard memory on the HP G6  HD7770 OC Edition GHz has a capacity of 1GB clocked at 1250MHz frequency is 100MHz higher than the frequency recommended by the foundry. The cooling system of the HD7770 OC Edition GHz is a model exclusive to the brand and should be quieter while being more efficient. So for a hundred euros, HD7770 OC Edition GHz she is able to provide sufficient performance to provide a comfortable level of play?

Presentation
Southern Island

Begin with take the entire range offered by AMD GPU. The high-end models for 7900. They are recommended for players who do not wish any concession on quality graphics and fluidity of the most demanding titles. The 7800 also declined in 7850 and 7870 versions are part of the Latitude E5520 range performance. It retains enough power to play all the latest titles in high resolution but their limitations will be felt on screen or multi WQHD resolutions. Finally, the 7700 GPUs are the most accessible due to lowered specifications.

GHz HD7770 Edition

With 1.5 billion transistors for the HD7770 is almost two times less than the HD7800 and is therefore 640 units of calculation are mbedded is also half the hd7870. The number of ROPS is halved compared to other Radeon 7000 because it is equal to 16. As limited memory to 1024MB, sufficient capacity to view the characteristics of the chip. The last amputation for the memory bus from 256 bits to 128 bits.

Sapphire HD7770 OC Edition GHz

Sapphire, one wants above all offer a range of map as complete as possible in order to meet the exact needs of users while on the other hand, the confusion may reign among the general public. Just for the HD7770, the brand has in its catalog six references are distinguished by their specificities but also their cooling systems or video outputs. Both Dell Latitude E6320 models are based on short PCB more suited to small enclosures while the other four keep a long PCB can accommodate a cooler more imposing. The map is the most advanced Vapor-X and even if it does not have the right to higher frequencies but the cooling system is by far the most luxurious. If the version GHz HD7770 is clocked at 1000MHz, Sapphire dope his card with 100MHz for the GPU more like passing memory 1250MHz instead of 1150MHz recommended by AMD. We can install the HD7770 OC Edition GHz on motherboards supporting PCI Express 3.0 backwards compatibility though is assured. We may also use the 3D gaming thanks to AMD Eyefinity. The three video outputs allow managing multiple screens and Radeon HD7770 can enjoy the latest technology DirectX 11.1. All these features are coupled with AMD PowerTune, a device allowing the HD7770 OC Edition GHz to achieve a power consumption level of the lowest office use.

With a little more than 18 cm long, the HD7770 OC Edition GHz will have no difficulty integrating into the case more compact and even some mini-ITX configurations are possible. It occupies two PCI slots in shell height and black plastic finishes gives a very satisfactory futuristic tone enhanced by simulating the carbon stickers. Fan with a diameter of 80mm at the center of the seat HD7770 OC Edition GHz. While the shell is matte, the  Latitude E6420 batteries blades are shiny black. A clever mix of leading to a more convincing look. Side bracket, four video outputs share first slot and the second has improved dissipation vents air. Outputs are DVI, HDMI and two mini DisplayPort. At the rear of the HD7770 OC Edition GHz, a power connector pins six auxiliary takes place on a completely bare PCB other components.

Behind the blue PCB, no memory chipset.

In the cooler, we realize how difficult it is to justify such a length. Three power stages are between the GPU and the video outputs. Four memory chips surrounding the HD7770. As always with Sapphire, the manufacturing quality is significantly appointment. The cooling system is classic. A base connected to two copper heatpipes, all traversed by aluminum fins. While the Radeon HD 7770 is not willing to generated high heat dissipation, the cooler is most convincing for a map of its kind. The nine fan blades have a 80mm design known to be effective both in terms of Latitude E6420 ATG performance on silence. More he enjoys PWM technology allows precise control of the speed according to the GPU temperature.

Bundle

Quite rare to be specified, Sapphire generously by including in its bundle in addition to VGA adapter, molex converter, flexible CrossFireX bridge an HDMI cable and an adapter DiplayPort mni DisplayPort.

High quality graphics

On low quality, we systematically disabled all options available. The anti aliasing as tessellation are configured minimum or disabled.
Details of any other filters and textures were also disabled. Medium quality, we set anti aliasing to 4X, and texture filtering in general 8. We did the same about tessellation. Finally, in high quality, we pushed all the options possible. We begin our series of benchmarks with the most popular of them: Futuremark 3DMark 2011 to obtain an excellent indicator for the Latitude E6520 performance of our graphics cards.

We use a resolution three levels of detail:

Bottom: MSAA 1, 1 and the anisotropy tesselation 1.
Intermediate: MSAA to 4, 5 and the anisotropy tessellation to 10
High: MSAA to 8, 16 and anisotropy tessellation to 15

We compare the results of the HD7770 OC Edition GHz GTX 650 Ti with and even if it achieved better results in this test, we find that our Saphhire card is capable of exceeding 1000 points in high resolution and high detail . Heaven is speaking and we note that the significant differences in 3DMark do not occur here because the cards are very similar. The high level of detail is very expensive to HD7770 OC Edition GHz and his favorite is the intermediate level. Otherwise it will fall to reach a resolution fluid framerate. AvP is as undemanding and HD7770 OC Edition GHz embarks enough power to run this as a high resolution in high detail. Again, the two cards are neck and neck. Our favorite test always gives the advantage to the competitor Nvidia. As in Heaven, the  HP Pavilion DV4 results are a little tight in high detail except in low resolution. By cons in the intermediate level, HD7770 OC Edition GHz is doing well. Hard Reset AvP joined undemanding and is perfect for players who can count on the HD7770 OC Edition GHz to display excellent fluidity even at high resolution and high detail. Sniper Elite V2 is part of our testing the most advanced and even intermediate level of detail, only the lowest resolution available is still lack of anti-aliasing filtering too demanding.

Overclocking

Overclocking

Good news! Tools dedicated to overclocking video cards provide the ability to increase by 50% the "Power Limit" or authorization to exceed the maximum TDP. Bad news, the voltage of the HD7770 OC Edition GHz can not be changed and suddenly not on our test model to win over 40MHz. This is understandable because finally enjoying a factory overclocking the card more rapidly approach its limits. For memory, it easily reaches 1400MHz 100MHz while already gained through setting operated by Sapphire. This rise does not result generally increases performance important but they can potentially give a small boost in specific cases where there is a fair bit. Gains are only 3.5% of the GPU and 12% of the RAM. 3DMark, you win between 25 and 100 points. Remember, the Latitude E6510 cards in this category are not designed for this type of practice. Under Metro, the situation is far more interesting because in intermediate level, more than 50 FPS with our overclocking.

Temperatures, noise and consumption

The temperatures of the HD7770 OC Edition GHz are perfectly mastered with less than 65 ° C maximum. At rest, it stagnates at 30 ° C. Overclocked or not, the fan speed remains close to 40% resulting in a low rotational speed. At rest, the speed is high enough as it is hovering around 1200 RPM. In operation, the Dell Studio 1555 HD7770 OC Edition GHz reaches 1700 RPM. Silence will he go to? At 50% it is still at a level 39dB audible content but the absence of a fairly high speed. By resting against 35.6dB with the card is completely silent. The power consumption is very low with a maximum of 150 watts for all of our test platform.

Conclusion

A hundred and fifteen euros, Sapphire HD7770 presents a convincing GHz OC Edition capable of standing up to the GTX 650 Ti in many cases when it is fifteen euros more expensive. But AMD is currently licensed for the excellent Far Cry 3 which makes an excellent case representing a saving of forty five euros. And if that was not enough to convince, then we can get 20% discount on Medal of Honor Warfighter.

We always appreciate the Pavilion DV7 quality of manufacturing high Sapphire and design both simple and elegant allowing it to fit into any PC without the risk of clash with the colors too garish. Our many measures have clearly shown that the HD7770 OC Edition GHz is capable of playing comfort in many recent titles in DirectX 11 provided they do not push the filtering options to their maximum.

A concession perfectly acceptable because the rate of HD7770 OC Edition GHz. If this new Sapphire card remains efficient in terms of consumption, the cooling system is very quiet at idle but still audible operating temperatures to keep completely safe. In order to gain quiet operation, you can appeal to the excellent application proposed by the brand: Trixx allows to intervene on the fan speed. And even if overclocking the Radeon HD7770 did not want to break records, we do him absolutely will not mind because the cards in this category are not designed for this Dell Vostro 1520 type of practice. We therefore recommend the Sapphire HD7770 OC Edition GHz all golfers accepting some concessions on the anti-aliasing filter.

Tags: Latitude E5500 batteries, HP Pavilion DV6 , Pavilion dv6000

With the arrival of Windows 8, the manufacturer Lenovo took the opportunity to renew its range of PC including the model output halfway between a laptop and a netbook, the Idea Pad S400. This is not exactly an Ultrabook because it does not meet the criteria required by Intel. However, it is very similar to this family of machines in terms of its technical characteristics. Moved from 499 €, it could represent an interesting offer.

We tested the Lenovo Idea Pad S400 notebook Windows 8 for configuration with an Intel Celeron B810 Sandy Bridge, 4GB RAM, ATI Radeon HD7470M graphics chip, a screen of 14 inches with a resolution of 1366x768 pixels, storage space of 500 GB, wireless connectivity and many connectivity including a USB 3.0 port and an HDMI output.

Here are our impressions during a complete test of the Lenovo Idea Pad S400 Windows 8.

The handling

He does not belong to the category of Ultrabook PCs, the Idea Pad S400 looks like a lot. Indeed, externally, the Dell U444C Battery design is relatively thin and rather successful. It is 21.9 mm thick and weighing less than 1.8 kg what is reasonable. It boasts finishes. The lines are fine and well cared for. The bottom shell and the rear of the screen have a coating pleasing to the eye and touch. It is dark red. The rest is black. Too bad only the start button enjoys a backlight (dotted rather classify it) and not the keyboard but at this price, you can not have everything.

The keyboard is chic let style but "Accutype." The keys are slightly rounded in their lower part. This allows them to "catch" more easily. By cons, it is regrettable that the keys back to the line, go to the end of the line, page up and page are placed to the right of the Enter button which can sometimes cause some data entry errors. Overall, the  T749D Battery keys are large enough to make typing comfortable if we take care to hit each key from the top. 

You can also count on multimedia keys directly (without going through the touch of a button Fn) to manage the volume, disable the touchpad, manage brightness, launch Task Manager, disable the screen or cut enable wireless networks, switch to another screen or just close a window. The multitouch touchpad is quite large and can take actions necessary to control certain functions of Windows 8, the shift from one side to the center open for research, access the home menu, and Device Management parameters or applications running.

On the left edge of the computer Lenovo Idea Pad S400, there is a button that allows you to restore the system to a single pressure. We appreciate it. It is sufficiently integrated (read "down") to not press it accidentally. Always to the left, there is also an RJ45 Ethernet port, HDMI output and a USB 3.0 port to recharge a mobile terminal, for example. The front portion has some discrete diodes that allow knowing the state of the computer. Profile right Idea Pad S400, there is a memory card reader SD / MMC, two USB 2.0 ports, audio output / microphone and the power connector.

The display hinges seem solid and the test of time, a trademark of Lenovo which attaches special attention to this component. The screen measures 14 inches. It displays a definition of 1366x768 pixels which is okay but not great. It enjoys a very good homogeneity of backlight and does not suffer from leaks. The contrast and color are satisfactory although it is regrettable that the viewing angles are not larger. You have to put relatively front of the screen not to lose contrast.

Above the screen, there is a 0.3 Mp webcam. There is no optical drive so impossible to play DVDs. Back, we note that the R640C Battery can be changed very easily. By cons, for the other components, it is less obvious since we remove all the rear cover.

Tags:Dell RU006 Battery, R331H Battery,  NHXVW Battery

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