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It's not often that we review vendor-specific versions of graphics cards, but with MSI Gaming Z version of the GTX 1080 we had to make an exception. In our original review, we didn't have enough time to assess the overclocking potential of Nvidia's top tier card. But more than that, what we really wanted to do is quantify what the sheer level of power available is capable of delivering in terms of the actual gameplay experience. The big outstanding question was this: can GTX 1080 deliver locked 60fps gameplay at 4K on some of PC gaming's most demanding titles?We've tried this in the past and failed. Whether we're testing GTX 980 Ti, Titan X or R9 Fury X, the fact is that the GPU power required to render UHD gameplay at high frame-rates on higher settings just proves too much. The end result tends to be a mish-mash of compromises - reduced resolutions, pared back settings, and rock-bottom frame-rates in really demanding scenes. The bottom line is that compromise-free 4K - or at least something close to it - requires a level of GPU power that previously wasn't available. The good news is that GTX 1080 gets close. Very close.
But first, let's take a look at what this MSI Gaming Z version of the GTX 1080 actually offers. Port selection is the same as the standard card - three DisplayPorts, HDMI 2.0 and dual-link DVI, but just about everything else sees a substantial upgrade and that starts with the thermal solution, based on MSI's new Twin Frozer 6 cooler. The new Torx 2 fan technology generates more airflow and higher pressure than its predecessor, meaning it can run 40 per cent quieter for the same cooling power. Compared to Nvidia's own Founders Edition, MSI reckon it's 20 per cent cooler and 35 per cent quieter.
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