Page 2: Parts
Parts:
Along with the card, the package contains a number of goodies. For you Windows fans (...) you get a smattering of software for use with the card including a full version of 3DMark06 and PowerDVD with a DVD suite from CyberLink. A driver CD rounds out the software for Windows. Linux users need not worry about these since most Distros have an easy install process for full open source drivers or the (closed, but better) fglrx driver from ATI. You also get the array of video cables such as a DVI to VGA adapter, a DVI to HDMI adapter (this card has sound support), TV out cables, a molex to 6-pin cable, the Crossfire connection, and the manual.
Sapphire has consistently provided an excellent bundle with their graphics cards. I hope they will package a game or so on the next cards they make since Windows only software usually costs money. I'd rather get a game for free than software I can't (or don't need to) use.
When you first scope out the Ultimate, you'll notice how different the card looks from a normal actively cooled graphics card. The top of the card has no massively large heatsink and fan combo, but does have four heatpipes going somewhere on the bottom of the card. I'm assuming some of the GDDR4 featured on the card is under that secondary heatsink.
As we make out way around the card itself, we see the four heatpipes going into a massive block of metal. The top portion of the card also contains the Crossfire connection ports. Surprisingly, the top of the card is pretty bare without a huge heatsink covering the ENTIRE top.
A profile view of the card shows just how big of a heatsink we are dealing with. Remember that the PCIe cards are installed upside down so if your graphics card is the first slot, you won't lose a second slot. You just need to hope that the heatsink doesn't interfere with your RAM or northbridge heatsink.
Those four heatpipes hold the card to the massive heatsink on the bottom. There is a clearance between the card and heatsink so it won't melt the card while in use. The warning label is very much correct. If your case ventilation is substandard, this heatsink becomes burning to the touch. Be VERY careful when handling it if the computer is in use.
The back of the card shows how well the heatsink is designed. You can see the fins provide a large surface area to give off the massive amounts of heat it is absorbing from the card. Also on the back is the 6-pin PCIe power connector.
You can clearly see the vertical clearance of the heatsink in this shot. Also notice that the top of the card does not house a large heatsink, just a small place with the heatpipes. Heatpipes work extremely well and allows for designs such as this. The pipes are sturdy enough to not flex when handling the card from the heatsink alone.
This card is fairly standard in that it supports two DVI connections and a TV out connection. What isn't standard is that it supports HDMI with HDCP which I'll never use. HDCP is one of those 'features' that attempts to take your rights away. Tough. HDMI also means that this card actually has a sound processor built-in. It doesn't use a passthrough. I couldn't test the HDMI, though.
The PCIe 16x 2.0 slot is fully standard and this card is RoHS for green compliance. The blue PCB is a nice accent and gives Sapphire its unique look. Well, this card gives a unique look all its own. Not only that, the card is heavy. What would you expect with a big chunk of metal hanging off of it? It still stands in a PCIe slot just fine... I would be weary about shipping a card in a system unless fully secured with a screw (not a quick connection like most modding cases have).
Along with the card, the package contains a number of goodies. For you Windows fans (...) you get a smattering of software for use with the card including a full version of 3DMark06 and PowerDVD with a DVD suite from CyberLink. A driver CD rounds out the software for Windows. Linux users need not worry about these since most Distros have an easy install process for full open source drivers or the (closed, but better) fglrx driver from ATI. You also get the array of video cables such as a DVI to VGA adapter, a DVI to HDMI adapter (this card has sound support), TV out cables, a molex to 6-pin cable, the Crossfire connection, and the manual.
Sapphire has consistently provided an excellent bundle with their graphics cards. I hope they will package a game or so on the next cards they make since Windows only software usually costs money. I'd rather get a game for free than software I can't (or don't need to) use.
When you first scope out the Ultimate, you'll notice how different the card looks from a normal actively cooled graphics card. The top of the card has no massively large heatsink and fan combo, but does have four heatpipes going somewhere on the bottom of the card. I'm assuming some of the GDDR4 featured on the card is under that secondary heatsink.
As we make out way around the card itself, we see the four heatpipes going into a massive block of metal. The top portion of the card also contains the Crossfire connection ports. Surprisingly, the top of the card is pretty bare without a huge heatsink covering the ENTIRE top.
A profile view of the card shows just how big of a heatsink we are dealing with. Remember that the PCIe cards are installed upside down so if your graphics card is the first slot, you won't lose a second slot. You just need to hope that the heatsink doesn't interfere with your RAM or northbridge heatsink.
Those four heatpipes hold the card to the massive heatsink on the bottom. There is a clearance between the card and heatsink so it won't melt the card while in use. The warning label is very much correct. If your case ventilation is substandard, this heatsink becomes burning to the touch. Be VERY careful when handling it if the computer is in use.
The back of the card shows how well the heatsink is designed. You can see the fins provide a large surface area to give off the massive amounts of heat it is absorbing from the card. Also on the back is the 6-pin PCIe power connector.
You can clearly see the vertical clearance of the heatsink in this shot. Also notice that the top of the card does not house a large heatsink, just a small place with the heatpipes. Heatpipes work extremely well and allows for designs such as this. The pipes are sturdy enough to not flex when handling the card from the heatsink alone.
This card is fairly standard in that it supports two DVI connections and a TV out connection. What isn't standard is that it supports HDMI with HDCP which I'll never use. HDCP is one of those 'features' that attempts to take your rights away. Tough. HDMI also means that this card actually has a sound processor built-in. It doesn't use a passthrough. I couldn't test the HDMI, though.
The PCIe 16x 2.0 slot is fully standard and this card is RoHS for green compliance. The blue PCB is a nice accent and gives Sapphire its unique look. Well, this card gives a unique look all its own. Not only that, the card is heavy. What would you expect with a big chunk of metal hanging off of it? It still stands in a PCIe slot just fine... I would be weary about shipping a card in a system unless fully secured with a screw (not a quick connection like most modding cases have).