ASUS Readies Another Monster: GeForce GTX 580 DirectCu II

[btarunr]

After showing off a monstrous DirectCu II cooled Radeon HD 6970 at CES, ASUS released pictures of another card which probably couldn't make it to Vegas. The GeForce GTX 580 DirectCu II from ASUS is just as beastly as its Radeon cousin. It uses a completely in-house design, with custom PCB that uses a strong VRM; and a triple-slot cooler which uses copper heatpipes that make direct contact with the GPU. The PCB uses an 8-phase GPU and 2-phase memory VRM. Whereas the reference design draws all memory power from the slot, the ASUS version has shifted one memory phase to external for improved overclocking. The VRM makes use of high-grade components, including an NEC-made proadlizer to condition power for the GPU.

The DirectCu II cooler uses a large aluminum fin array to which heat is conveyed by five heatpipes that make direct contact with the GPU. Two 100 mm fans are in charge of ventilation. The rear panel consists of two DVI, and one each of DisplayPort and HDMI. The card is bound to have factory overclocked speeds, with room for more overclocking. The cooler, though large and with two fans, is tested by the company to be quieter than NVIDIA's reference design cooler. The GeForce GTX 580 is NVIDIA's flagship DirectX 11 GPU. It packs 512 CUDA cores, and connects to 1536 MB of memory over a 384-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface.



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[blu3flannel]

That's pretty insane. If I wasn't under water I'd be looking for a cooler like this.

 

[theonedub]

Looks well done, very over spec from the looks of it- which is nice Id like to see some more shots of it disassembled and whatnot.

 

[Lionheart]

I hate triple slot coolers.

 

[blu3flannel]

I hate triple slot coolers.

Apart from the fact that it makes SLI/CFX hard, why is that?

 

[theonedub]

I hate triple slot coolers.

With the right board the size is not a con and you really can't argue with the temps they allow

 

[LAN_deRf_HA]

Liked the matrix design better.

 

[Rule-R]

Apart from it being a really really nice looking card, one could argue that the tripleslot cooler puts a heavy strain on the pci-e slot/MB.

Would love to see some benches tho!

 

[theonedub]

The PCI bracket handles a portion of the weight as well. I always hold the card level then screw the card in tight to hold the card up (if you can follow what I am saying).

 

[the54thvoid]

Given how quiet the 580 is under stock and how well it performs, you'd hope this came with a very healthy overclock. I bet it's pretty meagre though. Or you'd hope it was a well binned chip to allow strong overclocking from the consumer, something the VRM points to?

 

[Rule-R]

The PCI bracket handles a portion of the weight as well. I always hold the card level then screw the card in tight to hold the card up (if you can follow what I am saying).

True, though when the case is standing gravity will pull anyhow. More weight, more strain.

 

[theonedub]

^ Of course. Every little bit to help support the card helps though.

 

[Melvis]

Looks coool, i like it, but it will turn alot of people off since it will take 3 slots on there mobo. Same as the 4870X2 GS GLH from Gainward.

 

[Rule-R]

^ Of course. Every little bit to help support the card helps though.

Probably cable management of the GPU power cables could take of some strain.

 

[RejZoR]

What's the point of exhaust grills if it's dumping all the heat inside the case anyway?

 

[Rule-R]

What's the point of exhaust grills if it's dumping all the heat inside the case anyway?

Without the grills the whole cooling solution would be pointless. True, heat is still getting in the case but not nearly as much as without the grill.

 

[Phxprovost]

looks like a pretty solid card

 

[Shihab]

They ditched the Vapor Chamber tech ? Brave move. It might be quieter alright. But is it cooler ?

 

[Lionheart]

Apart from the fact that it makes SLI/CFX hard, why is that?

You just made my point.

 

[InnocentCriminal]

Liked the matrix design better.

+1

Same 'ere. My first thought was that it was ugly.

 

[adulaamin]

Apart from it being a really really nice looking card, one could argue that the tripleslot cooler puts a heavy strain on the pci-e slot/MB.

You could put it in a silverstone case like the FT02. I think there would be no strain on the pci-e slot...

Would love to see some benches tho!

I hope our great leader (wiz) would get one for a review...

 

[TAViX]

I hate triple slot coolers.

Especially if it's only 1 GPU card. If it were 2GPU it would have been ok.

 

[HalfAHertz]

Given how quiet the 580 is under stock and how well it performs, you'd hope this came with a very healthy overclock. I bet it's pretty meagre though. Or you'd hope it was a well binned chip to allow strong overclocking from the consumer, something the VRM points to?

Nvidia are limiting the max overclocks on the current SKUs. My guess is because they are preparing a dual GPU board and don't want the OCed 580s to compete with it.

 

[micropage7]

wow.. Powerful stuff, but triple slot cooler? I dont think thats pretty impressive
asus has directcu but still need triple slot cooler? You must be kidding me

 

[Radi_SVK]

True, though when the case is standing gravity will pull anyhow. More weight, more strain.

sorry but this is just ridiculous that you are discussing this in several posts.the card has 3 bracket holes to securely screw it to the case chasis.this card aint moving anywhere.forget about the gravity dude,it wont affect it by any significant amount.