GPU 101 - PART 3 - ZOTAC GAMING GRAPHICS CARDS
2022.03.09 12:15 PM
ZOTAC Graphics Cards
All ZOTAC graphics cards utilize the NVIDIA GeForce GPU and there are many models available to choose from including:
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3090 Series
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Series
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3080 Series
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Series
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3070 Series
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Series
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3060 Series
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3050 Series
The list above is a quick way to tell which is the most powerful. The GeForce RTX 3090 is the most powerful GPU you can purchase and use while the GeForce RTX 3050 series is the entry level graphics card you can purchase this generation. You can also assume that the more powerful the card is, the more expensive it will be. So deciding on the model of graphics card will depend on a few factors including the type of games you prefer to play, gaming resolution, graphics speed or referred to as Frames Per Second (FPS), and budget.
Within each series exists many models which can include:
AMP Extreme (AMP Extreme Holo shown in illustration above)
AMP (AMP Holo shown in illustration above)
ArcticStorm
Trinity (White Edition shown in illustration above)
Twin Edge (White Edition shown in illustration above)
The list above is a top to bottom from most feature filled and powerful down to performance focused models. AMP Extreme is the ultimate ZOTAC GPU and it will have all the bells and whistles ZOTAC offers in addition to being the fastest among the line-up. Models with the AMP designation will feature premium features in addition to being factory overclocked out of the box. ArcticStorm is a model available for cooling enthusiasts who opt for liquid cooling as it comes fitted with a factory waterblock. You will still need additional liquid cooling equipment to use it. Trinity and Twin Edge are performance models where Trinity utilizes a three-fan cooler while Twin Edge utilizes a two-fan cooler.
ZOTAC Graphics Card Features
You may have noticed some fancy names/terms in the marketing of ZOTAC GPUs. Here we will give you a quick explainer as to what some are.
IceStorm
This is the name of the cooling system used on ZOTAC graphics cards. It consists of various components which include the heatsink, heatpipes, cold-plate, and fans that work to keep the GPU cool.
FREEZE
This is a feature that stop the fans when the graphics card is not being used or is idle. It helps to lower the overall noise and extend the life of the fans. The fans will spin back up when it detects that the GPU is being used again by monitoring the GPU temperature. It’s all done automatically so there’s nothing you need to do.
Active Fan Control
This is a feature that will allow you to independently control the speed of each fan individually, giving you more control. On three fan models, the Active Fan Control pairs two fans as one group while the other is independent. So, any adjustments applied to the group fan will apply to both fans.
SPECTRA
SPECTRA is the name of the RGB lighting system used on ZOTAC products. To make adjustments to the SPECTRA lighting or Active Fan Control on ZOTAC GPUs, you will need to download and install the FireStorm program. There are a few versions. For the 30 series GPUs, you will want to grab the latest version of FireStorm. There is also a version for 20 series GPUs and one for 10 series GPUs.
Here’s a quick link for FireStorm - https://www.zotac.com/firestorm
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