Lucid Hydra Core technology makes it possible for the ECS P67H2-A Black Extreme
motherboard to support multiple graphics cards in a couple different
configurations (the so called: AMode, N-Mode, X-Mode). According to the
manual, if you want to 'enable CrossFireX,' disable Hydra Core
Technology.
Hydra Core allows you to configure two or three
identical or non-identical graphics cards in 2-Way (x16/x16 mode) or 3-Way
(x16/x8/x8 mode) configurations. In other words, with the HydraLogix chip you can configure
'A-Mode Performance' for dual identical ATI graphic cards, 'N-Mode Performance' for
dual Nvidia identical graphic cards or 'X-Mode Performance' for a
mixture Nvidia and ATI graphic cards. The benefits and pitfalls
of Lucid's HydraCore technology are well known, so it
pays to research how the particular games you play will be impacted.
LGA1155 Heat Sink / Thermal Solutions
While Intel has created several different heatsink sizes
in recent years, the socket LGA1155 'SandyBridge' CPU cooler is thankfully
interchangeable with previous socket LGA1156
heatsinks. The stock 'SandyBridge' heatsink is decent, but
better aftermarket CPU coolers are easy enough to
find so there's no good reason not to upgrade. PCSTATS likes the
low noise Noctua coolers and tower-style Xigmatek's, but really just about anything from Zalman to Scythe will cool quieter than a stock
Intel HSF.
Clearance around the ECS P67H2-A Black
Extreme's CPU socket is average; the VRM thermal solutions may
interfere with some particularly big heatsinks if fins extend much beyond the Intel heatsink
retention holes.
|
LGA1155 CPU socket for 32nm SandyBridge Processors. Principles of
installing an LGA processor are covered in
this Beginners
Guide.
|
This
motherboard
has two PWM fan headers and one 3-pin fan header ready for use.
RSS Newsletter
