Introduction HIS HD6950 IceQ 2GB
This is the HIS HD6950 IceQ 2GB, a graphics card built and known for its cooling feature and ability. His has released this card in relation to the AMD 6950 GPU, but aimed to do a better job of it. This card is a top notch card and would be perfect for anyone looking for great all round performance with top frame rates on the most ultra settings of games and at the same time having a good cooling aspect. The IceQ runs much cooler than most reference coolers. All this cooling performance is not done by many large fans across the cooling block, but rather copper heat pipes. Read on and take a look for yourselves...Specification
HD 6950 System Requirement
- PCI Express ® based PC is required with one X16 lane graphics slot with 2 slots space available on the motherboard
- 500 Watt or greater power supply with two 750W 6-pin PCI Express® power connectos recommended
- Certified power supplies are recommended. Refer to http://ati.amd.com/certifiedPSU for a list of Certified products
- Minimum 1GB of system memory
- Installation software requires CD-ROM drive, a keyboard, a mouse, and a display
- DVD playback requires DVD drive and a DVD
- Blu-ray™ playback requires Blu-ray drive and a Blu-ray disc
- For an AMD CrossFireX™ system, a second AMD Radeon™ HD 6900 Series graphics card, an AMD CrossFireX™ Ready motherboard and one AMD CrossFireX™ Bridge Interconnect cable is required
HIS 6950 IceQ 2GB
Here is the IceQ 2GB, it features the 6*** series Caymen chip. This graphics card is encased in a clear ice plastic shell. It sports one fan at the back end making is super quite, while it also features the main cooling aspect of the card, the fully copper heat pipes, and you can read the features below.
The HIS 6950 IceQ 2GB has the following ports:
- Mini Display Port x 2
- HDMI X 1
- DVI x Upper Single-Link DVI-D + Bottom Dual-Link DVI-I
- VGA x No
The cooling system
Cooler
HIS 6950 IceQ is cooler than the Reference Cooler.
Quieter
HIS 6950 IceQ is over 18dB quieter than the Reference Cooler, significantly reducing noise level.
4 Heatpipes
Optimize cooling performance by removing heat from the core area, providing ultimate solution for professional gamers and HTCP users.
Black Hole Impeller
Cool air is drawn from both sides of the fan to thereby enhance the cooling efficiency.
High Quality Components
High-end components and techniques reinforce stability and durability.
- Dynamic Phase Control PWM IC - A significant energy saving technique for reducing power consumption.
- Solid State Choke (SSC) - Durable Iron that can maximize current capacity, power efficiency and stability.
- Full Solid State Capacitors - Extend the lifespan and storage capabilities.
Contents
- HIS Graphics Card
- CrossFireXTM Bridge
- 2x Power Cable 2x 4pin in, 6 pin out
- DVI-VGA Adapter
- Install CD with Multilingual User Guide
- Quick Installation Guide
- HIS Power Up Label
- DiRT® 3™ Redemption Coupon
Test Bench & Overclocking
Test Bench| Motherboard | ASRock Z64 Extreme GEN3 |
| CPU | Intel core i7-2600K (4GHz) |
| RAM | GeIL EVO Corsa CL9 2133MHz (2 x 4 GB) |
| Graphics Card | HIS 6950 IceQ 2GB |
| Hard Drive | Plextor SSD 120 GB |
| PSU | Antec HCG 750w |
| CPU Cooler | Thermolab Trinity |
Methodology
- 3DMark 11
- Unigine Heaven
- Furmark
- TessMark
- Crysis 2
- Dirt 3
- Just Cause 2
- Battlefield 3
- GPU-Z
- FRAPS
Overclocking
Unfortunately the HIS HD 6950 IceQ 2GB a stock is set to 800MHz clock speed as you can see from GPU-Z. The card doesn’t allow you to do a massive overclock, it only allows you to go up to a overclock speed of 840MHz, but this was without adjusting any voltages. Memory at stock was 1250MHz, and we then overclocked it up to max at 1325MHz. So quite a disappointing card if you plan to overclock.
During this review we are going to be directly comparing the HIS HD 6950 IceQ 2GB to the ASUS HD6970 2GB Direct CU II.
Temperature
Obviously one of the main highlights of buying this card is the cooling system. The card has done a really good job while only having one onboard fan, making this card perform very quietly, which something a lot of us hope our hardware will achieve.
Power Consumption
Power Consumption in the top practical game @ Highest settings:- Battlefield 3
Power Consumption in Idle (Windows 7 Aero Enabled)
3DMark11
“We cater for everyone at HardwareLOOK and test in two different HD resolutions with this test to see the performance capabilities in both “Performance 720p” mode and “Extreme 1080p” mode, as many users will want to see the performances in 1080p, not just 1650 x 1050. After all, you gaming enthusiasts didn’t buy that big 1080p HD TV for nothing did you. Tests are performed in Benchmark mode only.”
Unigine Heaven
Unigine Heaven is a great benchmark to test out how well a GPU does with the highest shader levels and tessellation, and all the other settings you see below set to max. All of these settings in this benchmark, play a huge role in graphical detail and the smooth performance of your gameplay, while it tries to load such high profile textures and shading. The settings for all tests will stay the same in this test, and we shall test in both 1650 x 1050 and also 720p resolutions.Settings:
| API: | DirectX 11 |
| Shaders: | High |
| Tessellation: | Extreme |
| Anisotropy: | X16 |
| Anti-aliasing: | x4 |
TessMark
“We will runs tests in both resolutions of 1680 x 1050 and 1280 x 720 (720p). We want to see the tessellation capabilities in this test, so Anti-Alias will be set to 4x MSAA. The tessellation level will be set to “Normal (x16)” for the first test, and then set to “Insane (x64)” to see the cards best results it get produce for tessellation. TessMark is run in fullscreen, benchmark mode using map set 1. The tests are run for 60 seconds.”The reason for doing this method with these measurements and setting, it basically shows us how well the GPU will handle tessellation in comparison to other cards, in games that require it more.
1650 x 1050 Results
720p Results
Furmark
Furmark can run the GPU at its maximum potential. It can test multiple resolutions at multiple MSAA levels. We ran Furmark with the graphics card on four different settings as you can see from the charts below.“The resolutions we feel are the most appropriate to the times to test, are both 1650 x 1050 and 1280 x 720 (720p). This is due to 1650 x 1050 still being the most popular resolution that users are using to date. We also choose to use (720p) because with modern times moving on, many people are updated their screens to a HD resolution, thus our readers can grasp a better idea of frame rates that are the most relevant to them, and see how good the GPU is in comparison to others.”
Game Benchmark: Crysis 2
“Although this opening scene is by far not the most demanding for graphics, it is extremely consistent, and will give a accurate look into the slight performance changes in frame rates that each motherboard outputs.”
Game Benchmark: Just Cause 2
Just Cause 2 has a benchmark tool already integrated into the game. We will be using the benchmark level Dark tower, as it using some physics and effects in it with explosions going off.Settings were all set at their highest, as they should be with high-end cards.
1650 x 1050
720p
Game Benchmark: Dirt 3
Dirt 3 is a rally racing game and it has a benchmark tool already integrated into the game. All tests were run in 1650 x 1050 resolution.
Game Benchmark: Battlefield 3
“Testing on Battlefield 3 will be done in 1650 x 1050 for the common users out there, and also 1080p resolution. We will take the results for the frames per second in Medium and Ultra high settings. All sets of results will have stock and overclocked GPU levels in them.”
Conclusion
Well lets first of start by mentioning exactly this specific cards
prime features, it cooling capability. As you have seen the cooling
ability of the card does what it claims and excels in that area, with
temperatures of 63c on a heavy synthetic load, the Asus HD6970 is
equipped with twin fans, and couldn’t manage even this result with fans
on auto, meaning this card will last longer than others. At the same
time the HIS HD 6950 IceQ 2GB being just one model before the 6970, it
has a substantial lower wattage output, yet again making this card a
great all rounder.
Obviously the overclocking potential for this card, well isn’t there
so don’t be expecting to supercharge this GPU. But taking into account
the performance of the card, this is for those whom purely want a
high-end graphics card which is great in all areas and doesn’t need any
extra attention, as is got a great cooling system.
As far as the most important aspect goes, frame rates; they had an
excellent result. Due to the card being a great all rounder, I wasn’t
sure if the IceQ 2GB was going to be able to manage frame rates past 30
FPS in the new Battlefield 3 on Ultra High settings (1080p), but it
achieved this, and with that definitely gets my approval. With this in
mind and the facts that the HIS HD 6950 IceQ 2GB has great low wattage
and an excellent cooling system this GPU definitely deserves this award
from HardwareLOOK, it has not achieved the Editors Choice as
overclocking ability is very limited, almost not present.
