Swiftech to release Full Cover for Radeon HD6970

[Waterlogged]

Don't tell me you actually got a GPU within the first 3 months of release? If so, the world may be coming to an end.

The world is safe.

I've been keeping an eye open for them for the PSA topic.

[nvmc]

That sticker is goofy as hell. It looks like it belongs on the box for a Chinese PlayStation knockoff or something.

[KetelOne]

That sticker is goofy as hell. It looks like it belongs on the box for a Chinese PlayStation knockoff or something.

I have to second this, I'm not crazy about the sticker, I would probably attempt to take it off if/when I get one. But I do like my stuff rather plain anyways

[Ravynmagi]

The sticker faces down, I'll never see it once the cards are installed in the computer. I wonder why folks don't have stickers on the top edges of the card instead.

[Church]

Full covers are faced up in inverted atx layout cases. For backside of cards in common layout cases one can purchase backplates.

[nvmc]

I'm sure it's a fine block and all, but a graphic designer from this decade would do a world of difference.

[SpuTnicK]

You can already check it out at Frozen and Swiftech

[BeepBeep2]

I'm sure it's a fine block and all, but a graphic designer from this decade would do a world of difference.

Thats what I wondered about this whole thing...we made designs and then a nice one was picked, but then gabe came back with a design totally different (and much less attractive imo) and stated it was final. I didn't understand why we threw out suggestions to start out with. I mean, I was also hoping the "Komodo HD 6970" would be down at the bottom of the sticker to line up better with the "Powered by Swiftech" logo, it looks out of place.

[gabe]

I'm sure it's a fine block and all, but a graphic designer from this decade would do a world of difference.

It is interesting that you are saying this, because as a matter of fact, I ended up using a well known graphics designer to design the sticker; he requested to be kept anonymous, but has been involved with a leading company in our industry. The man is 30 years old. Does this qualify for belonging to this decade ?

Thats what I wondered about this whole thing...we made designs and then a nice one was picked, but then gabe came back with a design totally different (and much less attractive imo) and stated it was final. I didn't understand why we threw out suggestions to start out with. I mean, I was also hoping the "Komodo HD 6970" would be down at the bottom of the sticker to line up better with the "Powered by Swiftech" logo, it looks out of place.

I think the above explains what happened. I decided to use a profesional designer. This decision was not based on this particular product in fact, but rather a general Company direction to use professional design services going forward.

[BeepBeep2]

I think the above explains what happened. I decided to use a profesional designer. This decision was not based on this particular product in fact, but rather a general Company direction to use professional design services going forward.

First of all, comments and the end of the first answer with both of each's rudeness aside ... the design isn't horrible. I don't think anyone should make it out to be horrible, or say that it's bad, but I personally would have preferred to see the red pattern/dragon/no dragon design or a more minimalist design make the card's sticker. In my opinion, the sticker is way to busy to be on a water cooling product. Heck, we'd all be happy with the block if it had no sticker at all. (I'm sure a lot of people could vouch for this.) The design was just completely different than what everyone was expecting, and when people aren't used to something, or are forced to change, there will usually be consequences. IMO, there's nothing wrong with using what seems to me as the block internals and some screw holes as the design, but that was definately not something we were able to explore as all we saw was above the sticker.

I totally understand why the designer would like to remain anonymous, considering the harsh feedback given here. I will say one thing though, that little bit at the bottom right was Pado's idea, and essentially, he got no credit for it. I'm also a guy for symmetry, and I really would have liked to see that "cluster" of words there to be down at the "Powered by Swiftech" logo, considering they were of nearly equal size.

Sorry if this splice attached is crude, but it's easy to see what I mean.

Whoever the designer is, he has great talent, but in my opinion there are just too many things going on at once.

[nvmc]

It is interesting that you are saying this, because as a matter of fact, I ended up using a well known graphics designer to design the sticker; he requested to be kept anonymous, but has been involved with a leading company in our industry. The man is 30 years old. Does this qualify for belonging to this decade ?



I think the above explains what happened. I decided to use a profesional designer. This decision was not based on this particular product in fact, but rather a general Company direction to use professional design services going forward.

If I had designed that sticker, I'd want to remain anonymous too.
It looks tacky and dated. Who would know better than the consumer? It seems a few people are forming a consensus on this issue.

[Crazy V]

Does the statement above mean more of your products will be coming with stickers attached???

I must agree there were some very nice designs submitted by XS members that I think would have looked better on the end product, but in the end no sticker would have looked of higher quality and fit to most builds IMO.

Just because you are a well known graphics designer it doesn't always make you the best for the task at hand. You had some very nice ideas submitted by the consumer that would be buying your product and in the end I think they would have been the best graphics designer for your task. Just my 2cents!!

The current sticker design just looks incomplete and does not flow with the block IMO. But in the end it was your decision and I wish you luck with your design.

[XiraN]

Honestly the whole stickers on products reminds me of those old Nintendo Power sticker sets you would end up putting on a Gameboy or NES pad, then realize they look terrible and it's never going to come off clean.

I realize it's being used to hide the numerous screws, but if the community can handle acrylic tops with visible screw mounts and O-ring layouts I think they can handle screw heads.

[Waterlogged]

You can already check it out at Frozen and Swiftech

I swear that wasn't there the last time I checked...it somehow is in the January "new product" list

[SpuTnicK]

WL, beat ya

[the_dope_chaud]

In my opinion, the sticker is way to busy to be on a water cooling product. Heck, we'd all be happy with the block if it had no sticker at all. (I'm sure a lot of people could vouch for this.) The design was just completely different than what everyone was expecting, and when people aren't used to something, or are forced to change, there will usually be consequences. IMO, there's nothing wrong with using what seems to me as the block internals and some screw holes as the design, but that was definately not something we were able to explore as all we saw was above the sticker.

I totally understand why the designer would like to remain anonymous, considering the harsh feedback given here. I will say one thing though, that little bit at the bottom right was Pado's idea, and essentially, he got no credit for it. I'm also a guy for symmetry, and I really would have liked to see that "cluster" of words there to be down at the "Powered by Swiftech" logo, considering they were of nearly equal size.

Sorry if this splice attached is crude, but it's easy to see what I mean.

Whoever the designer is, he has great talent, but in my opinion there are just too many things going on at once.

I agree 100%
As a graphic designer, I can tell that time went into that design, it has a "professional" look, but I find it overkill and simply distracting. Maybe the dude wants to remain anonymous, but he should have a read in this thread, maybe his finger is not on the "pulse" of watercooling, but some other part of the industry. (That looks like a stock gpu fan sticker that you would find on a high-end gpu blower)

/rant over
How about shipping the sticker separate, or/and with a blank sticker and template, to let people design their own sticker.

P.S. Gabriel, I'm looking for work.... want to see my portfolio ?

[Roadhog]

I dunno about you guys, but I would take performance over looks. Who really cares about a sticker. Remove the sticker if you don't like it, or get some solid black sticker and put it over it.

[JoeBar]

Personally i don't like the whole sticker thing, plus this "stock cooler" design...

[zalbard]

I dunno about you guys, but I would take performance over looks. Who really cares about a sticker. Remove the sticker if you don't like it, or get some solid black sticker and put it over it.

IMHO (regarding the water blocks):
#1: max performance
Once that is achieved,
#2: price
#3: looks

2 & 3 can be swapped for premium models, but I expect most products to follow this criteria...
Besides, it's really hard to make a very ugly waterblock anyway... Simple stuff usually looks pretty good and is cheap to produce.

[JoeBar]

I'm with u ppl on performance but remember that we're talking about vga fc blocks...

Performance isn't the number one cause there are no real life oc gains from different wb's...

[Waterlogged]

Seriously?! We're gonna lose our minds and rip into a well respected Manufacturer over a stupid sticker?

Gabe, just ignore the peanut gallery. Your never going to please everyone all the time and the trolls even less...just keep making great products.

[Johnny87au]

Seriously?! We're gonna lose our minds and rip into a well respected Manufacturer over a stupid sticker?

Gabe, just ignore the peanut gallery. Your never going to please everyone all the time and the trolls even less...just keep making great products.

Qft, not like your gonna see the dam stickers in a water build anyhow..

[the_dope_chaud]

Sticker shmicker. Who REALLY cares about the sticker? no one, but when you hold a design contest, AND come to the biggest herd of WC'ers, you're going to get you comments and flames. All the unhappy people that actually BUY this block can just deal with the sticker in the way they wish.

[BeepBeep2]

Sticker shmicker. Who REALLY cares about the sticker? no one, but when you hold a design contest, AND come to the biggest herd of WC'ers, you're going to get you comments and flames. All the unhappy people that actually BUY this block can just deal with the sticker in the way they wish.

Heh, I'm planning on 6970 in the future, but then again my feedback was constructive instead of just sitting here whining and saying it sucks, because it doesn't.

[gabe]

Does the statement above mean more of your products will be coming with stickers attached???

I must agree there were some very nice designs submitted by XS members that I think would have looked better on the end product, but in the end no sticker would have looked of higher quality and fit to most builds IMO.

Just because you are a well known graphics designer it doesn't always make you the best for the task at hand. You had some very nice ideas submitted by the consumer that would be buying your product and in the end I think they would have been the best graphics designer for your task. Just my 2cents!!

The current sticker design just looks incomplete and does not flow with the block IMO. But in the end it was your decision and I wish you luck with your design.

yes, it very well maybe, but I already stated the primary reason why I went for a pro: it was a business decison.

@waterlogged: yes, that's why I always give myself some time before I decide to either answer or ignore some of the comments I read.

@everybody, re. performance :
some of my competitors went back to thermal pads for the vrm's because the temps are not reported by the card. I went for direct contact, irrespective of the fact that no one will ever see the difference, unless they stick some sort of high-end probe in there, which is mechanically very difficult. I also really worked on fine-tuning that direct contact, again, irrespective of the fact that no one will really be able to measure the results.

People in the know will be able to tell, when they disassemble the card and inspect their vr's TIM imprint.

As far as GPU cooling cooling is concerned, our pin matrix remains on top of the performance charts as far as I know, but I also worked hard on this to remove as much restriction as possible in order to give the card moderate pressure drop.