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PowerColor Bravo X700 Videocard Review
PowerColor Bravo X700 Videocard Review - PCSTATS
This card uses the Radeon X700 core with 256MB of GDDR2 DRAM memory modules. Like all X700-based cards, the Powercolor Bravo X700 is PCI Express x16 compatible.
Filed under: Video Cards Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: PowerColor May 16 2005   C. Sun  
Home > Reviews > Video Cards > PowerColor Bravo X700

The space a videocard has for its thermal solutions is very limited, so the fans that accompany graphics adaptors have had to work extra hard, and this results in higher RPMs, and a little too much noise for comfort.

As low sound has made the transition from curiosity to selling point, manufacturers have begun implementing complex passive cooling solutions on certain classes of videocards.

The high-end videocard GPUs produce too much heat for passive cooling at this stage in the game, but mainstream videocards are perfect for it.

Equipped with quiet or fanless cooling solutions which are friendly to the ear, mainstream is going silent.... just like the PowerColor Bravo X700 videocard.

This card uses the Radeon X700 core with 256MB of GDDR2 DRAM memory modules. Like all X700-based cards, the Powercolor Bravo X700 is PCI Express x16 compatible. What makes the Bravo X700 special is it's fanless heat-pipe cooling solution as well as the fact that it's one of the few dual-DVI mainstream videocards on the market.

Since it can operate in a low noise situation, the Bravo X700 is great for HTPCs with its HDTV support too.

Powercolor X700 Bravo


Includes:

Users Manual, Driver CD, CyberLink Software CD, Hitman Contracts CDs, two DVI to analog converters, S-Video to S-Video cable, Composite to Composite Cable, S-Video to Composite Converter, Component Out Cable, Fan Installation Instructions and fan.

I'm sure the first thing you noticed is the large double heatpipe passive cooler on the Bravo X700. If you plan to use the videocard in a cramped case or SFF PC, PowerColor recommends that you install the low profile 60mm fan that accompanies the card. The fan is very quiet and will not be heard once installed into a case. If you have good airflow in your system, installing the fan is generally not necessary.

Running dual monitors is great if you can, but not many videocards come with dual DVI outputs. The vast majority come with analog only or analog/DVI outputs. These options put users with two digital LCDs in a bit of a bind since an analog image is not as sharp or crisp as digital. With two DVI connectors and two DVI to analog converters, the Bravo X700 is the perfect videocard for those who want to use dual monitors whether CRT or LCD.

Many videocards on the market support TV/Component output but most do not bundle the necessary cables to attach the PC to the TV. PowerColor includes everything you'll need aside from component cables. That's actually not a big deal since the quality of component cables is important to overall HDTV image quality and including good cables would drive the price of the videocard up dramatically.

Passive or Active Cooling Solution?

The double heatpipe passive heatsink on the Bravo X700 is easily the videocard's biggest feature and those of you looking for something quiet are in for a treat. The Bravo X700 is ideal for the office or home theatre use thanks to its low-noise operation.

The X700 core first comes in contact with the large aluminum heatsink on the front of the card, and the heatpipe runs between that and another aluminum heatsink. The heatpipes then draw the excess heat onto the rear heatsink which can also make use of the low profile 60mm fan bundled with the card.

To make sure the aluminum heatsinks come in contact with the X700 core and nothing else, PowerColor has placed soft foam pads under both the top and bottom heatsinks. This ensures that the heatsink will not short out the videocard circuitry.

During testing, the heatpipe cooler worked extremely well and the PowerColor Bravo X700 was only slightly warm to the touch. We could not hear the fan once it had been installed despite the fact that we did not enclose the test system in a case!

© 2023 PCSTATS.com Next Page >

 

Contents of Article: PowerColor Bravo X700
 Pg 1.  — PowerColor Bravo X700 Videocard Review
 Pg 2.  Overclocking and benchmarks...
 Pg 3.  Benchmarks: 3DMark2001, 3DMark05
 Pg 4.  Benchmarks: CodeCreatures
 Pg 5.  Benchmarks: AquaMark3
 Pg 6.  Benchmarks: Gun Metal 2
 Pg 7.  Benchmarks: X2 The Threat
 Pg 8.  Benchmarks: UT2003
 Pg 9.  Benchmarks: Doom 3
 Pg 10.  Advanced Benchmarks: 3DMark2001, X2: The Threat
 Pg 11.  Advanced Benchmarks: Doom 3

 
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