EVGA GTX 1070 Ti FTW 2 Review
Up Close
We get so used to the various manufacturers shouting loudly about which exact model you have that the almost understated nature of the EVGA packaging comes as a refreshing surprise. It isn’t obvious – apart from the fact we know what the iCX cooler looks like – that this is the FTW2 and not just a regular 1070 Ti.
The off-white sections of the cooler’s front side are where the LED lighting gets a chance to show off. The rivets for the model name and the aluminium corners on the shroud give it a rugged aesthetic that is sure to appeal to those of you who want something a little more industrial than the standard plastic shroud. You can also get a good look at the plentiful amount of fins on the heatsink through the eleven fan blades too. Eleven seems a very high number, perhaps fans are being designed by the person who used to draw mens disposable razors. “The forty-seventh blade shaves you closer still”.
We have often commented how curious it is that manufacturers spend so long getting the fan side of their card to look spangly and visually arresting when, for 99% of us, the backplate is what we can see when we look in our tower. So you’ll be pleased to note, as we did, that EVGA have made the backplate look as attractive as the front. Bumps and grooves both horizontally and vertically placed do break up the monotony whilst still providing plenty of heat dissipation performance. Form and function working in harmony.
Every manufacturer has their own cooler which they apply to every high-end card in their range and EVGA are no different. However, we do have to say how nice it is that the iCX cooler looks like it was designed for the PCB and absolutely doesn’t take any liberties with the two slot sizing restrictions. Most coolers are 2 and a bit slots, this is extremely flat, not a millimetre over two. You can also see the huge amount of space available to help dissipate the hot air instead of hoping to push it all through the end plate opening.
