Review: PowerColor SCS3 HD7850

Conclusion

We like to see graphics-card partners attempt to do something a little different. PowerColor already has a very good Radeon HD 7850 in its line up in the form of the PCS+, but the manufacturer isn't resting on its laurels and has taken the effort to produce the world's first passively-cooled variant.

The SCS3 HD7850 is an ambitious attempt, and one that will appeal to a very specific consumer, however it isn't without limitations. Cooling a 130W GPU without any fans was always going to be tricky, and in PowerColor's passive card we've found that adequate airflow is essential in keeping the card from throttling.

It's our opinion that, if you are going to have fans in a system, they may as well be on the hottest-running components, which in any Radeon HD 7850 build is likely to include the GPU. We remain eager to see a passive mid-range card that can drive full-HD games while comfortably keeping temperatures below 80ºC, but for that we may have to wait until the next generation of SCS3 cards.

Bottom line: PowerColor's innovative HD7850 is too hot and hungry for mainstream users and is best suited to those who are willing to invest the time and effort in maintaining stable temperatures.

The Good

World's first passive HD 7850
Good 1080p gaming performance
No fans mean no noise

The Bad

Can get extremely hot
Requires adequate airflow to run smooth

HEXUS Awards

PowerColor SCS3 HD7850

HEXUS Where2Buy

TBC.

HEXUS Right2Reply

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