ASUS Readies ROG ARES 2 Graphics Card with Dual-HD 7870 GPUs

[btarunr]

ASUS is working on its second Republic of Gamers (ROG) ARES graphics card, the ARES 2 dual-HD 7870. Its first ARES was dual-HD 5870. ASUS' decision to go with a pair of Radeon HD 7870 GPUs, instead of the premium HD 7970, certainly comes as a surprise. With it, one could deduce the target market-segment ASUS is aiming at: US $650-750, providing a solution that outperforms even the fastest HD 7970 GHz Edition and GTX 680 graphics cards, while being cheaper than Radeon HD 7990 (which is MIA), dual-HD 7970 X2, and of course, the GTX 690.

ASUS ARES 2 will back two 28 nm "Pitcairn" GPUs with all components unlocked; likely factory-overclocked speeds beyond those of the HD 7870 GHz Edition; and a total of 4 GB of GDDR5 memory (2 GB per GPU system). The card will draw power from two 8-pin PCIe power connectors, and will have a TDP of around 300W. It will take advantage of AMD ZeroCore CrossFire, with which it powers down the second GPU when not gaming, or with light 3D loads that the first GPU can munch on. With the monitor idling for a set amount of time, both GPUs power down. It's likely that ASUS will use a triple-slot cooling solution, despite the fact that the HD 7870 is a generally cool GPU. Pictured below is the first-generation ROG ARES (dual-HD 5870).



Update Jun 26: We have received word from ASUS that "There is no plan to release a dual 7870 VGA".

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[btarunr]

Many Thanks to NHKS for the tip.

 

[claylomax]

When will we see four slots cards?

 

[Chaitanya]

I would rather like to see a card based on GTX 670 instead of a 7870.

 

[LTUGamer]

I guess that upper card is the second generation of Ares

 

[radrok]

Meh, honestly if you are going to buy a dual GPU card just buy the one that has the highest single performing GPUs on it, it makes no sense to get into SLI/CFX without having the top chips, the multi GPU issues I've had are enough for me to say get the top single GPU and if it isn't enough then get a pair of em.

 

[btarunr]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/177922_10151204503257388_1704145832_o.jpg

I guess that upper card is the second generation of Ares

No, that's the first-generation.

 

[NHKS]

When will we see four slots cards?

maybe soon!

 

[LTUGamer]

No, that's the first-generation.

So why Asus shared this photo via facebook just four days ago? I don't see point to share this photo with such old card. Secondly look at color of radiators - they are different I know that card in my photo have a lot of similarities with ares but maybe both card will have similar design

 

[Bjorn_Of_Iceland]

Secondly look at color of radiators - they are different I know that card in my photo have a lot of similarities with ares but maybe both card will have
similar design

What radiator?

 

[btarunr]

So why Asus shared this photo via facebook just four days ago? I don't see point to share this photo with such old card. Secondly look at color of radiators - they are different I know that card in my photo have a lot of similarities with ares but maybe both card will have similar design

I am absolutely, positively sure that the picture you posted is first-generation ARES. While 2nd Gen ARES has just two 8-pin power connectors, the card in the picture you posted has 8+8+6 pin (first gen ARES).

 

[radrok]

What radiator?

I think he means vapor chambers

 

[pantherx12]

I don't understand this D:

Even at 2x 1200mhz the 7870 design will be quite some distance away from 2x 1000mhz 7970.

And the 7970 will still have additional OC room if you can keep it cool D:

 

[sergionography]

I don't understand this D:

Even at 2x 1200mhz the 7870 design will be quite some distance away from 2x 1000mhz 7970.

And the 7970 will still have additional OC room if you can keep it cool D:

Yes that is "If you can keep it cool" as you stated, so far its obvious that isn't he case
With 20% over clock this should be hd7970 vanilla territory per gpu

 

[pantherx12]

Yes that is "If you can keep it cool" as you stated, so far its obvious that isn't he case
With 20% over clock this should be hd7970 vanilla territory per gpu

With a tripple slot cooler it should be easy to keep things cool.

They just always end up buggering something up

 

[hardcore_gamer]

I would rather like to see a card based on GTX 670 instead of a 7870.

Lets not forget that Pitcairn is more efficient than Kepler. In performance/watt, it tops the chart if we don't count 7750. It performs close to gtx580 and has ~2X performance/ watt.

 

[badtaylorx]

this is a GREAT decision by Asus imho. with roughly 25% more steam processors than a 7970 on a single card, Asus' already market best pcb design, and binned GHz ed. chips (one would hope anyway) will be a execlent card. this thing if priced competitively, around 650-700$ will find its way into many systems...

im looking forward to this...

keep fighting the good fight asus....im wit'cha

 

[dj-electric]

I have a driver crash just by looking at it

 

[hardcore_gamer]

I have a driver crash just by looking at it

Here we go again.

 

[Aldouz]

I have a driver crash just by looking at it

Can't agree more

 

[Delta6326]

I want one with water cooling plzzzzz

 

[coldtortilla]

When will we see four slots cards?

Oh please don't ask for it!!!

 

[techtard]

It's a pretty good idea on Asus' part to release a dual 7870. Excellent performance, doesn't need a nuclear poewerplant to run & you get some pretty sick performance for a decent price in a single card.
But it doesn't live up to their previous Ares, or the Mars for the nVidia side in terms of prestige.


Too bad most games are still dx9 and don't play nice with crossfire.

 

[Inioch]

Finnish techsite Muropaketti also published the news but has since edited it saying: "We have confirmed directly from Asus, that there is no, and never will enter the market, an ARES 2 graphics card based on two Radeon 7870 Pitcairn XT chips."

Link

 

[reverze]

not counting general multi card issues. This better be a good deal cheaper than buying 2 seperat 7870s otherwise i see no reason one would want this. if its about slots available i suggest getting 7970 ghz instead