  This is the best GTX260 graphics card on the market at this moment. Maybe this statement sounds too pompous, but it is pretty much real. MSI GTX260 Lightning is card that was created as result of MSI efforts and goal to create “perfect” graphics card. This model is, obviously, best suited for enthusiasts: for users that don’t ask for price when they want to have best piece of hardware in its class. This “class” is very important, because no matter how good and fast this card is, it will never be faster than most GTX285 and faster models, although it will be capable to put a good fight against GTX 275.
Packaging and Graphics Card
Box in which MSI NGTX260 Lightning Black Edition came clearly states that this is an elite model and presents a status symbol. Inside the box you won’t find much in a sense of additional software or games, but all necessary drivers and cables are there. Lack of additional software is compensated by presence of AirForce panel that will most certainly draw anyone’s attention. This is panel that can be mounted in a 3.5inch drive bay and shows card status, mode and all three overclock parameters.
Surface of panel is touch sensitive so it can be used to change all those parameters in real time. In other words any software used for overclock becomes redundant because all parameters can be controlled via AirForce panel. Of course for any serious overclock, this panel isn’t precise enough, but to add additional few frames per second in a game that you are currently playing can be very useful. We tested this feature in many games and didn’t manage to endanger stability of the system in any moment during intensive gaming. This panel is connected to motherboard via USB connector, or if you like to implement complicated solutions, via connector on the graphics card itself. Advantage of second solution is that cable won’t stick out of the chassis, so users that like their “work” space to be tidy will appreciate second connectivity solution.
MSI N260GTX Lightning BE shares design with its bigger brother N285GTX SuperPipe model. This means that it has complex cooling solution that is very efficient and nicely designed. At this moment it is clear that cooling solution, that is enough for faster model, is more than enough for MSI N260GTX Lightning BE model and can be characterized as over-engineered since GTX260 has much lower heat dissipation than GTX 285. MSI N260GTX L BE is based on GTX260+ model that is made in a 55nm manufacturing process and has 216 Stream processors. There is 1792MB of memory on this card which is, actually, too much and presents only an marketing trick since that much GDD3 memory cannot be fully harnessed, and it is obviously result of MSI intentions to make this card in “full package”. Frequencies are also raised, compared to referent values that NVIDIA set, so GPU operates at 680MHz and memory at 2.1GHz, which in conjunction results is nice overclock result. Of course MSI didn’t stop here, so they implemented only top quality components on this graphics card. For example on this card is present 10-phase power unit made out of top quality “Military” Class Solid Capacitors. All this should have contributed to great overclock results which is the case. GPU reached without any problems 770MHz, Stream Processors 1620MHz and memory 2250MHz. These are great overclock results, although many expected much more, we must be aware of limitations that GTX260 series brings.
Conclusion & Results
Is this card only for enthusiasts? Well … it is. Any other user that doesn’t care about “bells and whistles” will go for faster model that has very similar price. MSI NGTX260 Lightning Black Edition has target population very similar to Sparkle Calibre 9600GT . Users that appreciate design and image that certain products bring, beside performances, will be jubilant with MSI NGTX260 Lightning Black Edition. All others will purchase faster graphics card for same amount of money without AirForce panel and fancy packaging, but will enjoy higher performances where it really counts.
| MSI NGTX260 Lightning Black Edition 1792 MB DDR3 |
Frequencies
GPU / Shader / RAM :
680 MHz / 1458 MHz / 2100 MHz |
| Resolution |
1920x1080 |
1920x1080 8xAA 16xAF |
| 3DMark05 |
19485 |
16157 |
3DMark06
(Final Score / SM2.0 / SM 3.0) |
11545/6544/6769 |
10048/4400/3438 |
Crysis Warhead
[fps] |
26.1 |
12.1 |
Devil May Cry 4
[fps] |
141.3 |
119.8 |
World in Conflict
[fps] |
53 |
48 |
X3TC Demo
[fps] |
62.1 |
60.3 |
Unigine Tropics
(FPS / Score) |
61.6/1573 |
62.6/834 |
Unigine Sanctuary
(FPS / Score) |
62.7/2633 |
46.9/1985 |
| Test sytem: Intel C2Q Q6600 @ 3,2GHz, ASUS P5E3 Deluxe WiFi AP@n, 2x2GB Geil DDR3 @ 1600MHz, NVIDIA ForceWare 185.85 |
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