Tuesday, November 2nd 2010
Gigabyte GV-N480SO-15I Super Overclock Graphics Card in Works
Quite some time after releasing the GeForce GTX 470 Super Overclock (SOC) graphics card, Gigabyte managed to design a high-performance PCB that facilitates better overclocks for the GeForce GTX 480, under a new SKU, the GV-N480SO-15I. Its most notable features include the WindForce 3X cooler, Ultra Durable VGA+ construction, and GPU Gauntlet (GPU selected out of a performance binning process). The card sports a blue PCB, and makes use of a strong VRM to support out of the box clock speeds of 820 MHz (core, vs. 700 MHz reference), and 950/3800 effective MHz (memory, vs. 924/3696 MHz).
The cooler makes use of three 90 mm fans to circulate air through a large aluminum fin array to which heat is conveyed by heat pipes and a copper plate. The PCB holds a strong 12+2 phase VRM to give the card enough juice for the clock speeds it comes with, plus keep some room for DIY overclocking. The Ultra Durable VGA+ construction gives the card high-grade components such as low-latency memory chips, 2 oz copper PCB, ferrite-core chokes, and low RDS (on) MOSFETs. The card also features two BIOS chips, which are selectable using a switch. Unlike many graphics card vendors that use a similar feature leaving one BIOS holding a high-performance profile and the other holding a failsafe reference clock profile, Gigabyte loaded both BIOS ROMs with high-performance profiles, one holding an SOC profile (with the above mentioned speeds), and another "LN2" profile perhaps holding even racier clocks and/or voltage settings, but requiring liquid-nitrogen cooling to sustain stability. Gigabyte's latest creation will release soon, priced at around 440 EUR.
Source:
Guru 3D
The cooler makes use of three 90 mm fans to circulate air through a large aluminum fin array to which heat is conveyed by heat pipes and a copper plate. The PCB holds a strong 12+2 phase VRM to give the card enough juice for the clock speeds it comes with, plus keep some room for DIY overclocking. The Ultra Durable VGA+ construction gives the card high-grade components such as low-latency memory chips, 2 oz copper PCB, ferrite-core chokes, and low RDS (on) MOSFETs. The card also features two BIOS chips, which are selectable using a switch. Unlike many graphics card vendors that use a similar feature leaving one BIOS holding a high-performance profile and the other holding a failsafe reference clock profile, Gigabyte loaded both BIOS ROMs with high-performance profiles, one holding an SOC profile (with the above mentioned speeds), and another "LN2" profile perhaps holding even racier clocks and/or voltage settings, but requiring liquid-nitrogen cooling to sustain stability. Gigabyte's latest creation will release soon, priced at around 440 EUR.
13 Comments on Gigabyte GV-N480SO-15I Super Overclock Graphics Card in Works
I like the look of it to be honest. But the proper 480 is being released (580) and you'd think the 480's would be EOL'd. Does this hint at the expected real due date of the 580's? You'd certainly be a fool to spend that much on this with the 580 available unless:
A) The 580 isn't going to be available for a while or
B) The 580 isn't going to be that much better than a 480 or
C) The 580 is really quite expensive (which i dont see).
Frankly, I only think (A) above is possible so this release is a bit odd. Would you buy this if a 580 was the same price and more powerful?
www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=27240
This rumour says 10-15% improvement with 10% less power draw. That might make this card reasonable - remember it's for enthusiasts to overclock.
After nvidia does this, than the card will come out...
I had 470 SOC's in my basket, but changed to vanilla Gigabyte 470's. Couldn't pass up $229 after rebate w/free Mafia II. I'd gladly have paid $30 extra for the SOC otherwise. Damn nice card. This 480 version is very nice.
I hope these custom cards continue. I plan to keep the 470s, will be very tempted when a good custom 580 comes out. Hope nV gives board partners the nod sooner, and Gigabyte continues this trend.