EVGA Unveils New iCX Technology Suite for Video Cards

EVGA has given a preview of their iCX technology during CES 2017 to select media in attendance initially but now has finally unveiled it officially to the public. EVGA’s iCX technology is not a simple marketing moniker applied to existing implementation. In fact, EVGA claims a total of 11 global patents, both pending and granted, involved with iCX technology. The solution itself is not a single feature but a combination of a brand new PCB design, several embedded thermal modules, improved LED function, redesigned heatsink implementation, redesigned die-cast backplate and baseplate parts, and significantly improved control via EVGA Precision XOC software.

Following the fiasco of EVGA’s FTW cards catching fire last year, the company needed to assuage consumer concerns as to the reliability of their products and provide peace of mind to gamers. With the new EVGA iCX technology suite, gamers can gain better understanding of how their video card behaves and can monitor, control and interact with their EVGA video card better than ever before. Unlike other video cards which simply monitor the GPU, memory and VRM temperature, EVGA has nine thermal sensors embedded on the redesigned PCB giving multiple accurate readouts directly via the EVGA Precision XOC software or a simplified via LED color settings on the side. Users can adjust up to three thermal levels for the GPU, VRM and Memory by setting the thermal limit then the LED will change color corresponding to the color limit set (green, blue or red). The nine sensors onboard are also visible via EVGA OSD so users can monitor the thermals while inside a game.

EVGA has also improved the cooling system significantly incorporating a backplate and baseplate that helps with keeping temperatures optimal rather than just for aesthetics. The heatsink fin array has also been arranged so that some fins are directed to critical areas through an L-shaped bend, specifically around the VRM component area. Coupled with independent fan controls, this gives users a big advantage in terms of thermal management and overclocking their EVGA iCX video card. The left fan is tied to GPU temperature while the right fan is tied to the VRM temperature instead of the usual way where both are directly tied to the GPU temperature. Users can also set independent fan curves for each fan if setting them to auto mode is not enough. The final layer of protection so that EVGA video cards no longer catch on fire lies on the use of fuses in critical areas as well, which kick in when abnormal power drain is detected, shutting down the video card before damage is done.