MSI RTX 4060 Ti Gaming X Trio 8G:
Architecture:
As a reminder, the “Founders Edition” series cards are unique models offered by NVIDIA. The main advantage of these boards is that they are offered at a “locked-in” price, which will not change in the coming weeks or months unless the price is lowered. The NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB Founders Edition is priced at 439 euros on the NVIDIA website. NVIDIA partners will also be offering their own models, as is the case with our example of the day, the MSI RTX 4060 Ti Gaming X Trio 8G.
This MSI RTX 4060 Ti Gaming X Trio 8G features an AD106-350 GPU with 3452 CUDA cores, i.e. 2436 cores less than the RTX 4070, and is equipped with a TSMC 4 nm manufacturing process from TSMC, rather than the 8 nm by Samsung, which brings the TGP down to just 160 watts.
Memory: 8 GB of 128-bit GDDR6X memory, which translates into a bandwidth of 288 GB/s. This is a subject that caused quite a stir at the official launch, since the RTX 3060 Ti featured 8 GB of memory and a 256-bit bus (448 GB/s), and the RTX 2060 Super 8 GB with a 192-bit bus (448 GB/s). So we end up with a virtual RTX 4060 Ti offering lower bandwidth. But NVIDIA assures us that bandwidth actually reaches 554 GB/s, thanks to the increase in L2 cache to 32 MB.
For our part, we’ll only really be able to judge during our tests, since while there’s a formula for calculating the bandwidth of a graphics card, we don’t have one for this new scenario. We have therefore taken note of the data proposed by NVIDIA, and our tests will have the last word.
The Gaming X Trio bundle:
So what do we find in this box? It’s easy to identify the MSI color code, with black and backlit claws, the hallmark of the Gaming X Trio series. The box is quite large, but retains fairly standard dimensions. The box measures 415 x 280 x 115 mm. The box opens to reveal the RTX 4060 Ti Gaming X Trio 8G.
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Once this has been removed, the graphics card is revealed, along with a support for the graphics card to prevent it from bending when inserted in your motherboard. The idea is to prevent the PCB from bending under the weight of the heat sink.
Cooling :
This MSI RTX 4070 Ti Gaming X Trio has dimensions of 338 x 141 x 52 mm and will occupy 2.5 slots on your motherboard. This model is part of the MSI “Gaming X Trio” series. In other words, the card already benefits from factory overclocking. Aesthetically, the card is less aggressive than the previous generation, while retaining its anthracite and dark gray fairing. This is a model that will match many motherboards. MSI also uses an efficient cooling system, as evidenced by its dimensions in relation to the PCB.
This is a custom board, i.e. with its own cooling system. The board is equipped with three 95 mm fans from the TORX FAN 5.0 series, housed in a plastic casing. Each fan has 9 blades. The main change is in the design of the fans, which have blades connected in threes at the top. This design allows air to be better redirected to the latest-generation Tri Frozr 3 cooling system.
The nine fan blades are slightly curved to optimize airflow. Our sample is equipped with ” 3D Active Fan ” technology to leave the fans idle if the GPU temperature doesn’t require them.
Heatsink:
The radiator is quite imposing and has been completely reworked by MSI. The idea is to reduce noise pollution by guiding the air where it will be most effective in cooling the card. Wave-curved 2.0 fins allow air to circulate smoothly, for quieter cooling.
The radiator is composed of three distinct parts. One to dissipate heat from the graphics and memory chips, and the other two for the power supply stages, while also making use of various thermal pads.
The heat sink is crossed by six 6 mm copper heat pipes. The part in contact with the GPU has been machined to ensure a sufficient contact surface to dissipate heat along the entire length of the heatsink. The PCB also features a fairing with a dual role. It not only stiffens the PCB, but also acts as a heat sink for the power supply stages. As for the backplate, it stiffens the PCB and prevents it from twisting under the weight of the board.
Yes, a little RGB:
The card features RGB backlighting, but without going overboard, which we appreciate. On the front panel, there are two pairs of three claws located at the top and bottom of the central fan. On the upper left, we find the MSI logo and lettering. You can set the backlighting of the graphics card and synchronize it with that of your other components, provided they are compatible. The various settings can be made via the MSI Mystic Light software. For other settings, you can use MSI Dragon Center.
Connectors :
To power the board, MSI has chosen to return to a traditional 8-pin connector, but placed in a central position. In fact, this is due to the size of the PCB, which is actually much shorter than the heat sink.
The board’s video outputs include three DisplayPort 1.4 and one HDMI 2.1 port.
