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XFX plans gun-themed ATI 5970

Published on 30th March 2010 by Gareth Halfacree

The XFX 5970 Black Edition is tipped to come with 4GB of RAM, six mini DisplayPorts - and a replica P90 sub-machine gun.

XFX is planning an ATI-based graphics card which it hopes will be a Fermi-killer - and it is backing its claims up with some serious firepower in the form of rather novel packaging according to Nordic Hardware.

The company is looking to beat rivals betting on Nvidia's GTX480 and GTX470 GPUs with a card of its own based around the ATI 5970, and preliminary specifications suggest it might just manage that.

With no official statement regarding the product yet available from XFX, firm specifications are thin on the ground - but the suggestion is that the XFX 5970 Black Edition will come with a whopping 4GB of graphics memory, six mini DisplayPorts - making the card EyeFinity ready - and a custom overclocking tool, just in case the card wasn't already fast enough for your tastes.

Although the specs should be enough to raise eyebrows, where the story takes a turn for the bizarre is in the packaging: pre-release renders leaked from the company's marketing agency suggest that the 5970 Black Edition will come inserted into a replica of a P90 sub-machine gun - with the card taking the place of the traditional magazine. As if that wasn't enough to get you funny looks from the postman, the company is also allegedly planning to provide a gun bag for carting gear to LAN events - although you might want to avoid taking it on public transport, just in case.

As for pricing and expected release date, we'll have to hold on for an official announcement from XFX.

Do you think that XFX might have the card that could sink Nvidia's Fermi, or will its ultra-high specifications keep it out of reach of all but the most well-heeled of gamers? What's your opinion on the rather bizarre packaging? Share your thoughts over in the forums.

57 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

mi1ez 30th March 2010, 10:00

XFX have officially lost the plot...

rimscar 30th March 2010, 10:00

it's stupid, ridiculous, pointless, will probably get you arrested and will be massively expensive.

Where the hell can i buy it???

vdbswong 30th March 2010, 10:01

I saw this on another forum and didn't see why it was necessarily classed as a fermi beater ? :S.

+ The case looks more like an FN2000 imo as opposed to a P90 ;>.

Spiny 30th March 2010, 10:07

ALL kinds of awesome :D

Yeah vdbswong, kinds of like some FN2000 P90 love child.

Skiddywinks 30th March 2010, 10:09

Yeh, that is either a really poor representation of a P90, or it is in fact a FN2000, although I only remember the name thanks to vdbswong mentioning it, so if it isn't that either, well, sue me.

The main give away for me is that the P90 just sort of ends (only a very small amount of the barrell protrudes out), whereas this is clearly tapered towards a point.

Also, the P90 clip is long, thin and only bullet width, fitting on to the top of the weapon. I don't see how a card like this is even somewhat similar to a P90 magazine.

13eightyfour 30th March 2010, 10:15

completely ridiculous but i have a soft spot for silly hardware like this. Itll be crazy expensive though £800-1000 as a guess,

why not just give us a normal 5870 or 5970 with 6 mini DP ports.

proxess 30th March 2010, 10:20

This is a bit overkill, specially on the packaging.

So any retailers with it yet?!?!

Fizzban 30th March 2010, 10:22

Potentially the best card on the market doubled up with guns..totally ridicules. What's not to like!? I want one..I won't be able to afford it, but I want it all the same.

vdbswong 30th March 2010, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiny
ALL kinds of awesome :D

Yeah vdbswong, kinds of like some FN2000 P90 love child.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skiddywinks
Yeh, that is either a really poor representation of a P90, or it is in fact a FN2000, although I only remember the name thanks to vdbswong mentioning it, so if it isn't that either, well, sue me.

Yeah... i originally wanted to say it seems like a combination of the trigger guard(s) from the FN2000 and the barrel of the Aug A3, but then i don't really think i'm qualified/knowledgeable enough to be making that kind of statement lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skiddywinks
The main give away for me is that the P90 just sort of ends (only a very small amount of the barrell protrudes out), whereas this is clearly tapered towards a point.

Also, the P90 clip is long, thin and only bullet width, fitting on to the top of the weapon. I don't see how a card like this is even somewhat similar to a P90 magazine.

Wikipedia shows a civilian model with a longer barrel (since i assume it would otherwise be classed as concealable?) however as you say, the P90 in general has a flat-ended front and doesn't really taper down like the box :S.

+ as you say, that looks like it would use a more traditional magazine clip system as opposed to the P90's rail system.

dec 30th March 2010, 10:27

counterterrorism what?

k4p84 30th March 2010, 10:33

Hmmm Akimbo graphics cards ................

impar 30th March 2010, 10:39

Greetings!

Quote:

XFX wont have Fermi at launch
Nvidia won't provide

KoenVdd 30th March 2010, 10:40

Hand-guard and but-plate are F2000, muzzle seems like a AUG A3 and throw in a litlle G36 for the carrying handle.

Nictron 30th March 2010, 10:41

I think it is cool, especially the 4GB memory part!

This card should kick some serious butt as the Radeon had great memory handling capabilities.

Xir 30th March 2010, 11:14

Errrr..who buys a dualcore card anyway? Those who do: whee!!! gun theme!

Bauul 30th March 2010, 12:15

Lol, looks mad frankly, but I challenge anyone not to have a play with it if someone brought to a Lan event.

licenced 30th March 2010, 12:43

Doesn't the existing 5970 beat the GTX480 in most tests? Why does this one specifically need to be classed as a 'fermi killer'?

Almightyrastus 30th March 2010, 12:44

Will this not fall foul of the VCR bill and therefore be illegal to sell in the UK as it is a 'realistic imitation firearm'?

trig 30th March 2010, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by licenced
Doesn't the existing 5970 beat the GTX480 in most tests? Why does this one specifically need to be classed as a 'fermi killer'?

me thinks they might be trying to kill the fermi hype/letdown as well! they will tout it as the most awesomest card ever, and it will look like a cool automatic weapon that will get you arrested at an airport. but when it releases, it will run hotter than any other 5970, require even more power than any other 5970, wont outperform other 5970's and will actually ship in a case modified to look like an 1860 enfield civil war musketoon rifle that will get you laughed at when you pass through airport security..."does this thing shoot real bullets?"

Nikumba 30th March 2010, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almightyrastus
Will this not fall foul of the VCR bill and therefore be illegal to sell in the UK as it is a 'realistic imitation firearm'?

Maybe we will have to buy it from our local airsoft shop :)

sotu1 30th March 2010, 13:06

err isnt it like illegal to have anything that looks like a real gun? ie, its gotta have a bright orange cap to show its a toy?

sotu1 30th March 2010, 13:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by sotu1
err isnt it like illegal to have anything that looks like a real gun? ie, its gotta have a bright orange cap to show its a toy?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7407373/Girl-3-thought-loaded-gun-was-Wii-controller-in-fatal-accident.html

Redbeaver 30th March 2010, 13:33

Quote:

Do you think that XFX might have the card that could sink Nvidia's Fermi

i thought it already is?

rickysio 30th March 2010, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by http://www.legitreviews.com/news/7707/
they want to "Ferm up to who really has the BIG GUNS"

I guess they're just fulfilling their statements?

Teelzebub 30th March 2010, 14:17

Looks good and I bet it will come the same c**p warranty and p**s poor tech support too like all their product do in the UK.

Krayzie_B.o.n.e. 30th March 2010, 15:24

Actually Fermi is the real Fermi killer, as so far the Cherry picked cards are too hot too electricity hungry and too expensive.

How much is this HD 5970 xfx gun bag edition gonna cost? $1000 I can build a core I7 Pc for that price or buy a car!

Just Lower the Freaking Price already. We don't need a gun bag or a Unicorn edition or a gay pride parade colored graphics card.

What we do need is a LOWER PRICE for crying out loud how dumb are these people.

TSR2 30th March 2010, 16:50

Stick that in a 32bit system!
I suppose it will be ridiculously expensive, the memory won't be used much except with Eyefinity will it? Although I guess that's the point of this thing.

brave758 30th March 2010, 16:59

Lol love it

Phifty Cal 30th March 2010, 17:00

Don't get why it's called a Fermi killer as the 5970 is already much faster than Fermi. And I doubt there won't be a dual gpu Fermi card as it's just waaayyyy too hot.

Farfalho 30th March 2010, 18:34

The packaging is epic, I like it althought it doesn't resemble that much of a P90 and for the card to be found on where the ammo is supposed to be is incorrect because of some factors, the P90 magazine goes on top and is quite thin. The 5970 doesn't have that width nor the extension so it's more accurate to say that the card goes where the shoulder guard is, behind the trigger. Other parts such the rail and the part above the barrel are inaccurate too.

I've heard from that 4GB Black Edition before, it was exhibited at Cnet and looked like the "plain" 2GB Black Edition.

One thing I don't get it, vendors and news are saying that the GTX480 is the fastest gpu in the world, well we've seen the reviews and it isn't plain and simple. The vendors have the excuse to sell their stuff but the other part? Fermi is still a fail.
BTW, how much do you reckon the card to be? I'm betting values close to Asus MARS

Mongoose132 30th March 2010, 18:40

Tasteful.

HourBeforeDawn 30th March 2010, 19:35

I love the P90, if I ever move any where that allows the purchase of that gun, I am SOOOO getting one. ^_^

anyhow back to the card, these are the cream of the crop of graphics cards and what not but anyhow who cares the theme, I think its neat, either way its a great card.

Chombo 30th March 2010, 19:39

I might as well buy a real P90 for as much as a 5970

Sloth 30th March 2010, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krayzie_B.o.n.e.
Unicorn edition

Do want.

Evildead666 30th March 2010, 23:14

Meh, Nvidia will come back with a Fermi 'Nuclear Warhead Edition' That will spank this ones arse ;)

RotoSequence 30th March 2010, 23:27

Seeing that Nvidia has refused to offer XFX any Fermis at all because they're offering ATI cards, it's probably more of a "F*** you Nvidia" move than anything else.

javaman 31st March 2010, 00:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by licenced
Doesn't the existing 5970 beat the GTX480 in most tests? Why does this one specifically need to be classed as a 'fermi killer'?

Just incase someone is insane or cold enough to strap two 480's together and make a 495.

On a side note Lights have been dodgy tonight and conincidence feremi released over the weekend =p

flapjackboy 31st March 2010, 01:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by sotu1
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7407373/Girl-3-thought-loaded-gun-was-Wii-controller-in-fatal-accident.html

Stepfather needs to be banned for life from owning firearms. WTF was he thinking leaving a loaded firearm around the house when there's a 3 year old running around.

Mind you, this is in Tennessee where they're practically born with handguns but all the same, it was an idiotic thing to do.

ZERO <ibis> 31st March 2010, 07:51

On a side note if your playing with a wii gun why would you aim it at yourself. I played with toy guns a lot when I was young and never did I aim them at myself...

Xir 31st March 2010, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krayzie_B.o.n.e.
Actually Fermi is the real Fermi killer.

That's a great end to 90% of all Fermi-related topics!

barndoor101 31st March 2010, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by flapjackboy
Stepfather needs to be banned for life from owning firearms. WTF was he thinking leaving a loaded firearm around the house when there's a 3 year old running around.

i think castration would be better for the species.

rickysio 31st March 2010, 14:22

I spot a stock paddle fan. Doesn't bode well for the card's potential. ;(

Ending Credits 31st March 2010, 14:37

Is it me or isn't the P90's traditional magazine meant to lie across the top of the gun?

jj7 31st March 2010, 16:15

it should be named the RAMBO First Blood and we can all say stuff from the film . they drew first Blood NOT ME they drew first BLOOD and THAT KING SH#T COP all i wanted was a bath and a meal , on second thoughts Rambo was more of a BIG knife blade chap .jj7

jj7 31st March 2010, 16:22

why a gun most ATI fan boys are actuly gay-boys XFX could do a handbag im sure the LADYboys would love it
XFX should go XFX itself .jj7

jj7 31st March 2010, 16:38

Also why not a copy of gorillaz kids with guns and a free visit to the morgue the sick muthr XFX-rs and that handbag for the ATi fanboys should be PINK .jj7

Teelzebub 31st March 2010, 16:46

They are just trying to get more sale's with a gimmick because Nvidia wont let them have the fermi chips.

barndoor101 31st March 2010, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by jj7
Also why not a copy of gorillaz kids with guns and a free visit to the morgue the sick muthr XFX-rs and that handbag for the ATi fanboys should be PINK .jj7

its better than the upcoming EVGA Fermi custom card:

http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/radiator.jpg

Sloth 31st March 2010, 19:04

^I lul'd

I think someone needs to call in Al Gore, Fermi's gonna accelerate global warming!

barndoor101 31st March 2010, 19:26

it is multi-use though:

http://www.legitreviews.com/images/reviews/1264/egg_cooking.jpg

Krayzie_B.o.n.e. 1st April 2010, 04:33

I'm sorry I stand corrected. After several messages I have been informed that several gamers out there do want Unicorn Edition HD 5970 video cards with Petas approval of course. And 9 outta 10 Eskimos prefer the GTX 480 over the HD 5870 for obvious reasons.
I just hope I'm not out of line asking, begging for no bezel monitors. Thank You!

jj7 1st April 2010, 16:09

does the gtx 470 480 overheat yes or no please tell cause it isnt right to telll talll tales about nvidias gpu and whats all this crap about global meltdown dont you read or listen to the news thats alll fabricated crap theve blown the facts out of all pro to TAX the FU## out of the low paid cause they dont know how to fight back or are just stupid gittts and put up with thier shi# .jj7

gnutonian 2nd April 2010, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ending Credits
Is it me or isn't the P90's traditional magazine meant to lie across the top of the gun?

It is indeed. The case looks more like a mix between an FN P90 and FN F2000, though. But I suppose it's hard to make a closed case that looks like a machine gun.

(By the way, I love how FN class the P90 as a "personal defense weapon" :))

Not my style, I think. Plus, imagine if the cops raid your place (by accident or with reason) - and, as supergeeks, the first thing you want to do is protect your precious case, so you reach towards it and... BOOM, headshot!

avidgamer 7th April 2010, 04:18

Though I was shocked to see that Nvidia would not allow XFX to carry their latest card, this new ATI card is freaking sweet. I think the packaging is incredible and the performance of this card looks beastly. I can't wait to get one. Who wants to hook me up? ;-)

lexi23 7th April 2010, 04:40

Nvidia bailed on XFX? Very bad move. XFX is a very popular gaming brand and many people who know gaming are loyal to XFX. I'll have an XFX ATI for my next card, thanks very much! :)

Gradius 15th July 2010, 15:59

Can I kill trolls with that?

impar 16th July 2010, 09:09

Greetings!

Quote: