ASUS ROG MARS III Dual GTX 680 Graphics Card Detailed

[btarunr]

The ROG MATRIX 7970 wasn't the only new Republic of Gamers graphics card on display at Computex, it was sitting next to the MARS III. This monstrosity is a dual-GeForce GTX 680 graphics card, it packs two 28 nm GK104 GPUs with clock speeds that match or exceed those of the GeForce GTX 680. ASUS stopped short of revealing the clock speeds. The card draws power from three 8-pin PCI-Express power connectors, next to it is an instant fan-override button that revs up the card's fans to 100%. The card gives out three dual-link DVI display outputs, and is capable of driving 3D Vision Surround using three >1920x1200 pixels displays. Unlike the MATRIX 7970 and countless recent examples of ASUS' ugly fixation with triple-slot cooling solutions, it's a pleasant surprise seeing that the triple-fan cooling solution of the MARS III needs just two expansion card slots. The MARS III will be manufactured in limited quantities, and will probably cost more than a GeForce GTX 690.



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[Recus]

Clash of the GPUs. : D

 

[radrok]

The only type of VGA that could justify a triple slot cooler now has a double slot one, not that I am disappointed but I wouldn't mind a triple slot on a dual GPU.

I'm happy though that they are replacing the Direct Cu cooler with a double slot for single GPUs though.

Sick card, hope they can give us unlocked voltage control, otherwise this has no point to exist.

 

[madness777]

TPU review pls =)

 

[Chaitanya]

Droooooooooooooool

 

[EnergyFX]

I can hear my wife bolstering defenses on our bank accounts as I type this.

YOUUUU SHALLLL NOT PAAAASS!!!!

 

[SIGSEGV]

The card draws power from three 8-pin PCI-Express power connectors

i bet no one here will talk about power efficiency..

 

[Xzibit]

The card draws power from three 8-pin PCI-Express power connectors, next to it is an instant fan-override button that revs up the card's fans to 100%.

I like the Fan-Override feature. Could be the answer to the throttling when the card hits 75-80% fan use and the chip down-clocks for those still on air. If the driver fix doesnt come through. It would be worth it over a 690.

I just dont like that they put the button next to the power connectors. Should have been placed on the I/O so you dont have to leave the side of your PC case open to push use it and then reset it to standard use when not using anything intense that will cause the down-clocks.

 

[Splave]

The only type of VGA that could justify a triple slot cooler now has a double slot one, not that I am disappointed but I wouldn't mind a triple slot on a dual GPU.

I'm happy though that they are replacing the Direct Cu cooler with a double slot for single GPUs though.

Sick card, hope they can give us unlocked voltage control, otherwise this has no point to exist.

680's run cool its asus there will be voltage control for sure

 

[blibba]

Interested to see what Asus can do with this. 2x4GB GGDR5-7000 is a must to differentiate it from the 690 imo. Especially as, if the Mars II is anything to go by, it might actually exceed the power consumption of 680 SLI.

 

[okidna]

The answer to PowerColor 7970 X2!!

But will cost you your kidney

 

[BigMack70]

Not sure I really understand this one... it sounds like basically an overclocked GTX 690.

The MARS II made some sense, since the 590 was far short of 580 SLI. However, I can't imagine this card being worth much of a price premium even in what is already a super-niche market.

 

[Delta6326]

THIS IS awesome! Can't wait for a review! I want one so badly!

 

[dj-electric]

and will probably cost more than a GeForce GTX 690

Must.... resist... putting... meme..... can't..... nooo

..

 

[the54thvoid]

Umm...

The vanilla dual 680 (aka 690) already ships with a very unique and very effective cooler.

As someone else had said, this will need a little more than two 680's to make any point. The GK104's are binned for voltage and they've all been locked so far.

If this can be over volted and work outside the power envelope Kepler works with it might be interesting, otherwise, its a very expensive and unnecessary card.

 

[PLAfiller]

Bricks are so awesome, who new . Can't they put a high-air-flow bracket on this one as well? It's has the "wavy" type of exhaust one. I know it for as long as I can remember. It's not important, but when you sacrifice a couple of thousand of cash, you want it to be perfect

 

[eddman]

Three 8-pins?!! Max possible power draw of more than 500W?!!! Isn't this just a major overkill?

 

[chodaboy19]

Three 8-pins?!! Max possible power draw of more than 500W?!!! Isn't this just a major overkill?

Well it is part of the MARS line.

 

[dj-electric]

These are just statements for worst case. The connectors' ability s up to 500 watts, yes.

 

[OneCool]

and will probably cost more than a GeForce GTX 690.

DAAAAAMMMMN

 

[Mindweaver]

will probably cost more than a GeForce GTX 690.

I don't see why this is so surprising to people. It's an enthusiast dual GPU.. "Dual GTX 680"... I'll say it slower.. DDuuaaalllll..

EDIT: And the Dual doesn't stand for dual slot which maybe where everyone is confussed..

 

[the54thvoid]

I don't see why this is so surprising to people. It's an enthusiast dual GPU.. "Dual GTX 680"... I'll say it slower.. DDuuaaalllll..

EDIT: And the Dual doesn't stand for dual slot which maybe where everyone is confussed..

The 690 is a dual gpu as well. With injection moulded magnesium cooler with plexiglass and all that shizzle.

 

[Mindweaver]

The 690 is a dual gpu as well. With injection moulded magnesium cooler with plexiglass and all that shizzle.

Err yea and?.. I'm not arguing that I'm just stating why wouldn't it be more? it's a MARS... If i remember correctly the first single GPU MARS was like 1400 bucks I'd say this will smash a GTX 690 as well.

 

[the54thvoid]

Err yea and?.. I'm not arguing that I'm just stating why wouldn't it be more? it's a MARS... If i remember correctly the first single GPU MARS was like 1400 bucks I'd say this will smash a GTX 690 as well.

Cool, I thought you were implying the 690 wasn't dual.

But IMO, the 690 as it is is already a premium luxury product unlike the GTX 590. For the Asus variant to be worthy of an even higher price, it needs to be more open to overclocking and have higher memory etc. Otherwise it's just a more power hungry 690 with higher clocks.

 

[fullinfusion]

now thats some serious eye candy!