VisionTek Killer HD 5770: The GPU + NIC Combo
The graphics card that can also bring you the internets.
Ever wish that your NIC could do more than just pulling packets, or you’re your GPU could do more than pushing pixels? VisionTek and Bigfoot Networks today has the answer in what is a rather interesting product for those looking for both a new GPU and NIC.
The two companies today announced the launch of the VisionTek Killer HD 5770, the world's first single-card, PCI Express solution combining Bigfoot Networks' Killer E2100 game networking technology and AMD's Radeon HD 5000 graphics.
The Killer HD 5770 is a one-card, one-slot solution that has a full 5770 GPU that supports Microsoft DirectX 11, multimonitor setup and 7.1 audio via HDMI output. On the networking side, the card also uses an embedded version of the Killer 2100 gaming network card developed by Bigfoot Networks.
Like the standalone Killer NICs, this hybrid card has all the controls with Advanced Game Detect and Visual Bandwidth Control to make sure all the bandwidth goes to the game.
While combining a GPU and a NIC isn't common practice, AMD seems rather pleased at the coming together of its Radeon with networking capabilities.
"VisionTek has been a strategic partner for nearly 10 years and brings extremely innovative AMD design concepts to the North American market," said Matt Skynner, corporate vice president and general manager of AMD's GPU Division. "We rely on our leading partners to expand on our technology reach. VisionTek once again delivers on that directive with its new Killer™ HD 5770 launch."
The VisionTek Killer HD 5770 gaming graphics and network card will be available in early December through North American online and retail channels at an MSRP of $199.99 USD.
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If it works out cheaper than buying the two cards on their own then it might make sense, but combos like this are usually dumb. Want to upgrade your graphics card, OK you lose your networking. Perhaps a system with very few slots might be a reason for this, but other than that...
Isn't the 5770 a bit slow for the kind of games that would need a fully optimised NIC? It looks like a nice experiment rather than a practical solution to a real problem.
Yes, but will it work in Crossfire mode?
How have you managed to use both "your" and "you're" in the same context in one sentence?!
And surely the kind of person who would use a Killer NIC would be using a high-end GPU?