The Verdict
The Cyclone series is interesting. The baseline performance of the GTX 460 is undeniably really good value for money. These are great DX11 compatible graphics cards that pack a lot of horsepower and massive overclockability.
So when the reference product is already good, the custom designed version can only be better. Though not as silent as the 768MB model, this 1024MB model under SKU code N460GTX Cyclone 1GD5/OC definitely manages to impress. Noise levels under massive load are okay. Not too noisy not silent either and that surprised me a little as the 768MB model can hardly be even heard. Still it's well under control with normal noise levels.
Performance wise it remains difficult to justify the extra 256MB memory and 8 ROP clusters over the cheaper 768MB models. The difference is not huge but definitely can be measured. In the long run the extra 256MB memory however will be a saver bet. especially with upcoming DX11 titles long shaders and huge textures might benefit from some more frame buffer.
When you grab the AfterBurner tweak application you can apply a little extra voltage on the GPU. The result is that typically you'd overclock just over 800 MHz on the core, yet with that added GPU voltage 900 MHz is roughly what this card seems to be capable off. Coming from 675 MHz reference that means instant extra performance and thus value. We do feel that the cooler at such an overclock becomes an issue in terms of noise levels.
It's surely is funny to see how important overclockability has become over the years. I mean 3-4 years ago overclocking graphics cards was considered to be a taboo ... a year ago Voltage tweaking was considered extreme y dangerous. And now .. it all even falls within your warranty.
Well, the N460GTX Cyclone 1GD5/OC is a truly lovely card. We hope it'll be priced fair at say 235 EUR/USD, as at that price this card would be pure sex. The overclockablility is great, the temperatures and noise levels normal. MSI applies their Military class component strategy at the build design, meaning the best stuff is on there ensuring better heat protection, tweakability and longer lifespan.
For the money you need to put down you can expect to get what you pay for, a superb mid-range product that will play your games up-to 1600x1200, and in most cases 1920x1200 quite well. What keeps surprising us is the tremendous overclocking potential, pretty much any and every card we tested to date has shown a lot of reserve and room for overclocking, and they scale really well while doing so. Any card, even the cheapest you can find, can be pushed to 800 MHz on the core. 
The N460GTX Cyclone 1GD5/OC as such comes really recommended, nice performance across the board. A card like this allows you to play any game to date with high image quality settings up-to 1600x1200 and in most scenarios 1920x1200 as well. Two thumbs up.
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