Layout
The APOGEE FX71 GeForce 5600 Ultra comes in your typical Chaintech carry box with a see through window showing the card's trademark cooling system. The size of the package is almost the same size as their motherboard packaging. The carry box complete with handle has all the simple and clear specification details that will allow you to know all about the APOGEE FX71 at a glance.
Inside, the card is protected by a shockproof, antistatic, clear plastic, environmentally friendly PET container that fully secures your APOGEE card. Everything else is neatly laid and arranged, all separated by hard cardboard dividers. Really neat.
The FX71 APOGEE card itself is encased in a clear acrylic covering. The "internal organs" are hidden from view to the naked eye. All that can be seen are the vents on the acrylic casing and the round hole over the APOGEE's cooling fan. The card's backside however was free from any casing except for the very shiny copper bracket that keeps the FX71's unique cooling system on the other side of the PCB in place. This doubles as ramsinks as well for the memory chips at the back.
To have a good view of the actual cooling system, we removed the acrylic casing of the FX71. The casing includes a metal sheet that not only acts as a cover/shroud for the cooling system to maximise air flow inside but also adds to the aesthetic looks by hiding the 'internals' of the card.
The APOGEE cooling system's main attribute is the utilization of an exclusive fan incorporating Gas-Turbine Technology that is designed to cool the FX71 from the inside to the outside. According to Chaintech, this technology is the very same one incorporated in modern supersonic jet engines. With maximum air flow and pressure, the heat dissipation created by GT Technology is up to 30% more than other existing cooling fans under the same operating condition. This not only allows for low temperatures but also for highest performance with the lowest noise. Estimated noise output for the FX71 APOGEE card is <28 dB.
The 128mb memory used on this card are Hynix BGA chips with part code HY5DU283222 AF-25. This DDR SDRAM is rated at 2.5ns. All APOGEE series insist using faster memories to ensure ultimate overclockability.
Probably one of the most exciting features of the FX71 is the inclusion of a fancy blue LED light. This is the only graphics card designed with strong blue LED light for the stylish VGA appearance. Once lit, it not only illuminates your card but also highlights the APOGEE name written on the acrylic casing. Coolest VGA card I have seen to date when it comes to presentation. This is definitely a casemodders delight.
A molex power connector is present and would be needed to provide extra juice for this card. A molex extension is included in the package as well.
The Chaintech FX71 APOGEE FX5600 Ultra though would still occupy a PCI slot as the acrylic casing partly occupies the one directly next to the AGP.
There is the presence of the 15-pin D-sub VGA connector and a DVI-I port. The VIVO function is also present in this card. The necessary cables are included in the bundle.
Next: Bundle, Specs & Installation