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MSI GTX550 Ti Cyclone OC Video Card Review
Author: Will West
Published: Monday, April 11, 2011
Conclusion
After reviewing a few different GTX550 Ti graphic cards it does start to lose its flavor, especially when the results can be so similar. So it is a major relief to get a refreshing view of a reference card from MSI. They beefed the GTX 550 Ti up with every intention of making it a great overclocker with incredible cooling. Adding a passive heatsink to the voltage regulators helps to reinforce that message and shows dedication for the longevity of the card from MSI.
The intention of the MSI GTX550-Ti Cyclone was to create a superior gaming card but the card is not the only thing that makes the product. MSI has been focusing on overclocking for a while and their dedication to keeping the Afterburner package up to date is a testament to that. Of course you can use Afterburner with any video card but as we have seen you are able to do more with MSI branded cards such as voltage adjustments, stability testing and other optimizations.
In the end MSI has made one of the best GTX550 Ti cards on the market with only one small problem and it is the large heatsink that might not fit all cases. While this factor needs to be considered before investing in the GTX550-Ti Cyclone it should be an easy decision to make. Other than that this is one of the best GTX550 Ti we have some across so far at the Ninjalane labs, and we highly recommend it to gamer and enthusiasts alike.
The intention of the MSI GTX550-Ti Cyclone was to create a superior gaming card but the card is not the only thing that makes the product. MSI has been focusing on overclocking for a while and their dedication to keeping the Afterburner package up to date is a testament to that. Of course you can use Afterburner with any video card but as we have seen you are able to do more with MSI branded cards such as voltage adjustments, stability testing and other optimizations.
In the end MSI has made one of the best GTX550 Ti cards on the market with only one small problem and it is the large heatsink that might not fit all cases. While this factor needs to be considered before investing in the GTX550-Ti Cyclone it should be an easy decision to make. Other than that this is one of the best GTX550 Ti we have some across so far at the Ninjalane labs, and we highly recommend it to gamer and enthusiasts alike.
Good Things
Incredible cooling solution
Stronger stabile overclocks
Better quality VRM area
Very quiet cooling solution
Better gaming performance over reference clocks
Stronger stabile overclocks
Better quality VRM area
Very quiet cooling solution
Better gaming performance over reference clocks
Bad Things
Heatsink beyond normal ATX specs
Heat dumped into case
Heat dumped into case
Ninjalane Rating
MSI GTX550 Ti Cyclone OC Video Card Review
Furious 5 of 5
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