MSI GTX 1070 Gaming X SLI Review

Conclusion

We loved the GTX 1070 Gaming X from MSI when we reviewed it as a single card and the SLI option doesn’t change that at all. 

It’s a fantastic looking card, with great thermals, low power draw and quiet operation. Whether you pick one card or two you will be pleased with your purchase.

Indeed the only real thing to notice is more about the performance of the GTX 1070 SLI when compared to its contemporaries. If you are running a 1080 monitor then even a single GTX 1070 would be enough, although a pair of them can really make the difference in the most demanding titles whilst also future-proofing you a bit for the next generation. At 1440 the GTX 1070 Gaming X SLI still pumps out some seriously impressive frame rates, although the GTX 1080 SLI arrangement starts to make its extra performance count. It’s only once you break into 4K that the GTX 1080 SLI becomes the weapon of choice, although make no mistake the MSI Gaming X GTX 1070 SLI still will keep your gaming experience one of buttery smoothness. In comparison to a single 1080 which is only £100 more expensive than it is a little more complicated. The two cards just don’t seem to like anything DX12 and can even perform worse than a single one, so if its new DX12 titles you’re hoping for then you also need to hope Microshaft get things singing sooner rather than later. Right now its game dependent. 

Lastly if you were lucky enough to end up with a GTX 980 Ti SLI setup then the GTX 1070 SLI doesn’t quite have enough performance for you to consider throwing it away just yet. Not that any of us were expecting it to do so. Still the better power efficiency, Ansel and other Pascal GPU based improvements mean that unless you’re really strapped for cash and are hunting the classifieds then you’re better off going with the newer cards.

Even in an SLI setup the outstanding Twin Frozr VI cooler keeps both cards cool and quiet allowing you to focus upon the graphical splendour in front of you rather than the whine from the fans to your side. The MSI GTX 1070 Gaming X is a brilliant card and when paired up it’s even more astonishing and thus it easily wins our OC3D Performance Award.

  

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