Predator Bifrost Intel Arc A770 OC:
Architecture:
This Acer Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A770 OC benefits from the ARC Alchemist architecture. It is the first generation of GPU launched by Intel. The goal of Intel is to continue to offer other cards in the future, but it is currently difficult to know at what rate. There is still talk of new cards for this year.
The Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A770 OC board features an ACM-G10 graphics chip with a 6nm manufacturing process by TSMC. The chip hosts 32 Xe Cores, 32 Ray Tracing units and 512 XMX Engines. It has 16 GB of 256-bit GDDR6, which translates into a bandwidth of 560 GB/s. The average TDP is announced at 250 watts, which is 25 watts more than the reference version offered by Intel.
The card is available on the Acer website for $399 in the US or 469 euros in Europe.
The bundle:
As far as the bundle is concerned, apart from the graphics card, we find a USB key from ADATA which contains the drivers and the Predator BiFroste overclocking software. Apart from that, nothing else to report except a quick installation guide.
Cooling:
When the first photos of this Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A770 OC leaked on the web, the reactions were very positive since we are on a rather unusual cooling system, which gives a lot of charm to this card. Acer also highlights the use of three latest generation technologies for the cooling of the card. In terms of dimensions, we are talking about 267 x 117 mm with a total weight of 800 grams. Its format allows it to occupy only 2 slots on your motherboard.
Let’s now focus on the cooling system which uses a 70mm blower fan in the center and is called “Predator AeroBlade 3D”. This fan is equipped with 89 ultra-thin curved steel blades. According to Acer, it increases heat dissipation by 55% and the choice of steel blades improves air intake and dynamic pressure. This is a patented cooling system developed initially for Predator desktop chassis. This is the fifth generation.
The 92 mm axial fan is made of fiberglass, metal powder and plastic. It is also a patented model that sees here with this new generation, the air flow rate increase by 16% and the static pressure by 55%.
The rear is equipped with a double backplate whose role is to stiffen the PCB, but also to optimize the cooling. As you can see, the PCB is shorter than the actual size of the graphics card. So it is the radiator that overflows and the cutout in the backplate allows the hot air to be evacuated towards the interior of your case.
The radiator:
The heart of the cooling system is designed around a vapor chamber which is actually a liquid cooling loop. This liquid with high energy conductivity diffuses in the loop at low temperature to transport the calories synonymous with heat from the main components of the board. At a certain temperature, the liquid evaporates to reach a cooling zone where it condenses until it returns to its initial temperature and returns to the closed circuit to cool the components again.
Acer has chosen thermal pads that are quite strange compared to what we are used to finding on the graphics cards we test. The ones on the Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A770 OC look like chewing gum. We will see during our tests the performance obtained. As far as disassembly is concerned, it is much simpler than that of the reference versions from Intel.
The RGB is present:
It would be a shame not to have RGB backlighting when you consider that this board is called “BiFrost”. Acer has therefore equipped its FrostBlade fans with 4 ARGB LEDs to offer an illuminated choice for customization fans.
All modifications can be made via the Predator BiFrost software. We will also notice a third RGB area on the top edge with the Predator logo and inscription.
Connections:
To power the card, there are two 8-pin connectors. These are traditional connectors found on most power supplies. The card has three DisplayPort video outputs and an HDMI 2.1 port.
The bracket is perforated to let the heat escape under the pressure of the two fans. Now, that we have done the tour of the owner, let’s go to the bowels of the card.
