This is the best GeForce GTX 260 graphics card on the market at this moment. Maybe this statement sounds too pompous, but it is pretty much real. The MSI GeForce GTX 260 Lightning is card that was created as result of MSI efforts and goal to create the perfect graphics card. This model is obviously best suited for enthusiasts, for users that don't ask for price when they want to have best piece of hardware in its class. And this class is very important, because no matter how good and fast this card is, it will never be faster than most GeForce GTX 285 and faster models, although it will be capable to put a good fight against the GeForce GTX 275 graphics accelerator which has a slight edge though. - InsideHW

MSI GeForce GTX 260 Lightning Black Edition Review

The box in which the MSI GeForce GTX 260 Lightning Black edition came clearly states that this is an elite model and presents a status symbol. Inside their box you won't find much in a sense of additional software or games, but all necessary drivers and cables are there. The lack of additional software is compensated by presence of AirForce panel that will most certainly draw anyones attention. This is a panel that can be mounted in a 3.5inch drive bay and shows the card status, mode and all three overclock parameters. The surface of panel is touch sensitive so it can be used to change all those different parameters in real time.

The MSI GeForce GTX 260 Lightning Black card shares its design with its bigger GeForce GTX 285 SuperPipe model. This means that it has an complex cooling solution that is very efficient and nicely designed. At this moment it is clear that this cooling solution, which is enough for the faster model, is more than enough for this Lightning Black model and can be characterized as over engineered since the GeForce GTX 260 has much lower heat dissipation than the GeForce GTX 285. The Lightning Black version is based on the GeForce GTX 260+ model that is made around a 55nm manufacturing process and has 216 stream processors.

Is this graphics card only for enthusiasts? Well it is. Any other user that doesn't care about the bells and whistles will go for the faster model that is very similar priced. This MSI GeForce GTX 260 Lightning Black has a target population that is very similar to the Sparkle Calibre 9600 GT version. Users that appreciate design and image that certain products bring, beside performance will be jubilant with this Lightning Black edition. All others will purchase faster graphics card for the same amount of money without this AirForce panel and fancy packaging, but will enjoy higher performance where it really counts.