There's more breathing room between a 2.5 slot card and the next one than with a 3 slot model. 3 Slots is OK if the next one is a small card which wouldn't block the airflow.
In addition to what's been said, I would say that "triple slot" implies that an add-in board's PCIe bracket is also triple-slot-wide. "2.5 slot" gets the point across that it is wider than 2 slots but still has a 2-slot bracket, which can be an important consideration for modding, airflow, very small add-in cards, PCIe extenders, "bling" components, etc.
In Mini-ITX cases, where only 2 PCI-e slots are offered (because mini-ITX only has a single PCI-e port), you do in some instances have some overhang room below your 2nd PCI-E slot, where the wider width of this GPU would still allow normal installation.
A formal 3-slot card could not be installed in a 2-PCI-e slot Mini-ITX build, while this card might, depending on the case.
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Hurn - Thursday, December 7, 2017 - link
Better re-check the numbers in the AMD RX Vega Air vs Liquid columns - looks like you have some under the wrong header (like TDP and Price)Nate Oh - Thursday, December 7, 2017 - link
Thanks, fixed!lazarpandar - Thursday, December 7, 2017 - link
Why call it 2.5 slot when the main takeaway is that you can't stick something two slots away? How does this differ from a triple slot card?MrSpadge - Thursday, December 7, 2017 - link
There's more breathing room between a 2.5 slot card and the next one than with a 3 slot model. 3 Slots is OK if the next one is a small card which wouldn't block the airflow.TheWereCat - Thursday, December 7, 2017 - link
I wonder if you can use PCI-e extension cable on the 3rd slot if you have 2 and a 1/2 card above it.Nate Oh - Thursday, December 7, 2017 - link
In addition to what's been said, I would say that "triple slot" implies that an add-in board's PCIe bracket is also triple-slot-wide. "2.5 slot" gets the point across that it is wider than 2 slots but still has a 2-slot bracket, which can be an important consideration for modding, airflow, very small add-in cards, PCIe extenders, "bling" components, etc.JoeyJoJo123 - Monday, December 11, 2017 - link
In Mini-ITX cases, where only 2 PCI-e slots are offered (because mini-ITX only has a single PCI-e port), you do in some instances have some overhang room below your 2nd PCI-E slot, where the wider width of this GPU would still allow normal installation.A formal 3-slot card could not be installed in a 2-PCI-e slot Mini-ITX build, while this card might, depending on the case.
Example: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41XBXjrdHmL....
Raijintek Metis.
Manch - Friday, December 8, 2017 - link
"factory overclocks" 2.3% base and a .9% boost clock bump. They call this an OC card? That's just sad.The ASUS and PowerColor have decent base clock bumps but their boost clock bumps are crap.
These cards just don't overclock well and to call them OC cards while technically accurate is disingenuous, and very misleading.
If these cards offer better/quieter cooling and more consistent performance then they should emphasize that.
Agent Smith - Friday, December 8, 2017 - link
“If these cards offer better/quieter cooling and more consistent performance then they should emphasize that”.AGREED - gamers already know these cards don’t OC well so they should concentrate on promoting quiet cooling and improved efficiency.