Alien vs Predator (DX11)
Maxing out the settings in this benchmark will show you immaculate Tessellation (DX11) details. The Hawk card practically keeps up with the GTX 480. Some of that probably has to do with optimizations in the newer core, but can also mean that this title prefers higher clock speeds over number of shaders.
Metro 2033 (DX11)
This game is such a resource hog at higher resolutions, it’s not even worth tweaking to reach playable frame rates. Still, the raw GPU power of the Hawk shows the colors of its feathers. If you happen to overclock your CPU a bit, you’ll see frame rates that top the GTX 480 easily.
STALKER: Pripyat (DX11)
STALKER is a really cool game for benchmarking video cards. The game is so detailed, it uses just about every possible resource inside each of the video cards. Even though we’re using the maximum possible settings, the Hawk (and TwinFrozr II) provide extremely playable frame rates even at stock frequencies.
Evaluating GPU Temps and Fan Noise
In order to get a good overall average range of idle and gaming temperatures, we used the Hardware Monitor inside MSI’s afterburner software to confirm and monitor our results. We recorded idle and benchmark temperatures.
Even though the Hawk series card clocks in higher while consuming slightly higher wattage, the card was actually very comparable to the TwinFrozr II card in terms of performance. While the Hawk runs a more efficient GPU, it’s obvious that the improved VGA cooler is able to help manage temps whether overclocked or not. It was nice to experience great stock and overclocked frame rates without topping 80C or being subjected to higher noise.
Final Thoughts
Does the GTX 560 Ti Hawk Soar? Our MSI N560GTX-Ti Hawk series video card not only clocks in higher, but overclocks well beyond any stock card’s abilities. The stock 950MHz GPU core provides comparable frame rates to the GTX 480 in many of our benchmarks. However, being able to clock the GPU core clear up 1050MHz using auto voltage settings with MSI’s Afterburner software is an impressive feat.
At the current MSRP of $264.99 from various retailers, the MSI N560GTX-Ti Hawk Edition is lethal against the competition. It has the heart of a frame rate killer and it includes a Lara Craft game title to add some value. There are quite a few GTX 560 Ti cards with special aftermarket cooling that come very close to this price and yet they have much lower out of box frequencies. That makes the Hawk all the more enticing.
Ultimately, the MSI N560GTX-Ti Hawk is worth every dollar. Both the Twin Frozr II and Hawk make it very hard for other solutions to measure up. Based on the great value, exceptional performance, and great aftermarket cooling solution, we believe that it deserves out highest honor: An Editors’ Choice award.
Pros
- Superb performance and overlocking
- Great VGA cooling solution
- High quality components and design
- Includes a game title
- MSI Afterburner overclocking utility
- Excellent value for price
Cons
- They only sent me one!
Overall Rating: 9.5 / 10.0
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