• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

ASUS Launches the Radeon HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP Graphics Card

Joined
Dec 6, 2011
Messages
4,784 (1.00/day)
Location
Still on the East Side
Ushering the finest and most capable graphics card based on new AMD "Tahiti" 28nm GPUs, the ASUS HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP uses a factory-overclocked core and 3 GB of GDDR5. It is cooled by the exclusive DirectCU II, a dual fan thermal design with six copper heatpipes and a large dissipation area that leads to the lowest temperatures and quietest operation of any HD 7970 card.

ASUS DIGI+ VRM 12-phase digital power delivery comes to graphics cards improved with Super Alloy Power components, while overclockers are bound to appreciate the inclusion of exclusive VGA Hotwire hardware overvolting and GPU Tweak software tuning. The new cards further support adapter-free AMD Eyefinity 6.





Overclocked to 1000 MHz - 75 MHz higher than reference

The HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP ships tuned to 1000 MHz, 75 MHz up from reference. This boost in clock speeds creates noticeable performance improvement, helping make greater use of the generous 3 GB GDDR5 video memory. The default increase in speed indicates the proprietary ASUS HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP design's amenability to overclocking and performance pushing, making better use of the 384-bit memory interface and PCI Express 3.0 standard, which works at up to twice the speed of PCI Express 2.0.

DirectCU II leads to the coolest and quietest HD 7970 card available

Further design and engineering improvements to the ASUS DirectCU II thermal architecture have resulted in its finest iteration yet. The new design consists of six all-copper heatpipes in direct contact with the GPU, in addition to a 20% larger dissipation area than any previous versions. Cooling effectiveness increases by up to 20% compared to reference, helping the card run with improved stability and reliability - critical to successful overclocking. Since the card stays so cool, the dual fans can operate at lower speeds, contributing to a 14 dB quieter than reference experience that helps gamers focus on the action instead of the noise.

First graphics card DIGI+ VRM digital power design with 12-phase Super Alloy Power

ASUS has brought its acclaimed DIGI+ VRM digital power delivery design from motherboards to graphics cards, with the HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP serving as the launch vehicle. DIGI+ VRM has been applied via a massive 12-phase power design that uses digital voltage regulators to increase power efficiency, widen the voltage modulation range, and improve overall stability and longevity. Power delivery components utilize exclusive ASUS Super Alloy Power formulation, which reinforces capacitors, chokes, and MOSFETs with better manufacturing and materials to increase heat tolerance and stress resistance. Cards with Super Alloy Power outperform reference variants and last longer, offering consumers better value.

Easy DIY overvolting with VGA Hotwire

Derived from technology first implemented in ROG motherboards such as the Rampage IV Extreme, VGA Hotwire links headers on the motherboard and the graphics card with simple solder points. Users can alter voltages directly on a hardware level, resulting in more precise modification. Core, memory, and phase (PLL) voltages can be readily altered, opening up new overclocking opportunities.

Intuitive tuning via the GPU Tweak utility

Users who prefer a friendlier interface can utilize the ASUS GPU Tweak suite, which offers fast tuning of numerous card parameters, including clock speeds, voltages, and fan settings. GPU Tweak can control up to four cards at once through AMD CrossFireX. It features GPU clock and voltage syncing, plus 2D/3D switching and mode locking for higher 3D benchmarks. Users get more accurate system testing and higher scores in competitive overclocking scenarios. The utility offers auto driver/BIOS updates to keep cards in optimal working condition, and a handy monitoring widget that provides highly detailed multi-parameter information on demand. ASUS has also worked closely with Techpowerup to integrate GPU-Z into GPU Tweak, offering even more reliable graphics card data and tracking.

First HD 7970 card with four native DisplayPorts for six-screen AMD Eyefinity

The input/output logic of the HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP takes full advantage of the power of the hardware, offering users access to dual DVI and four DisplayPort connectors. As a result, one card can drive up to six screens - achieving HD/4K resolutions with no additional adapters. The efficient power of top-end 28 nm GPU technology means visuals look better than ever even on extremely large displays.

Also in: all-new ASUS HD 7950 DirectCU II TOP ships overclocked to 900 MHz

The HD 7950 DirectCU II TOP features the DirectCU II dual fan cooler and offers consumers superior performance compared to the 800 MHz HD 7950 reference card. ASUS has begun developing more enhanced versions of the HD 7950 that will feature additional exclusive ASUS technologies, including DIGI+ VRM and Super Alloy Power. These cards will ship during the remainder of Q1 2012. Further announcements will be made as products become available.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site
 
Joined
Dec 6, 2011
Messages
4,784 (1.00/day)
Location
Still on the East Side
The card doesn't seem to be shipping yet but it's listed by Newegg @ $600.

Looking forward to that review ;).
 
Joined
Oct 7, 2009
Messages
396 (0.07/day)
System Name Just A Gaming Rig.
Processor AMD FX-8320 @4.1GHz, 1.268V
Motherboard ASUS M5A97 Evo R2.0
Cooling Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
Memory 8 GB Crucial Ballistix Sport 1600MHz
Video Card(s) Club 3D R9 280X 3GB royalQueen, @1115/1615MHz
Storage OS+Often used stuff: Kingston SSDNow V300 120GB, Mass storage: WD Blue 1TB
Case Zalman Z3 Plus
Audio Device(s) Integrated
Power Supply Corsair CX600M
Software Windows 8.1 64-bit
Seems like a slight overkill putting that triple slot cooler on the 7970. It's not that toasty of card in the first place.
 

INSTG8R

Vanguard Beta Tester
Joined
Nov 26, 2004
Messages
8,081 (1.10/day)
Location
Canuck in Norway
System Name Hellbox 5.1(same case new guts)
Processor Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard MSI X570S MAG Torpedo Max
Cooling TT Kandalf L.C.S.(Water/Air)EK Velocity CPU Block/Noctua EK Quantum DDC Pump/Res
Memory 2x16GB Gskill Trident Neo Z 3600 CL16
Video Card(s) Powercolor Hellhound 7900XTX
Storage 970 Evo Plus 500GB 2xSamsung 850 Evo 500GB RAID 0 1TB WD Blue Corsair MP600 Core 2TB
Display(s) Alienware QD-OLED 34” 3440x1440 144hz 10Bit VESA HDR 400
Case TT Kandalf L.C.S.
Audio Device(s) Soundblaster ZX/Logitech Z906 5.1
Power Supply Seasonic TX~’850 Platinum
Mouse G502 Hero
Keyboard G19s
VR HMD Oculus Quest 3
Software Win 11 Pro x64
Seems like a slight overkill putting that triple slot cooler on the 7970. It's not that toasty of card in the first place.

Agreed but we already know they overclock quite well. Big overkill cooler could make for some impressive overclocks. We'll have to wait on W1zz's review and find out :cool:

Still waiting for Sapphire's Vapor-X cards:banghead:
 
Joined
Jun 19, 2008
Messages
1,555 (0.26/day)
Location
Shepparton, Victoria, Australia
System Name Toaster!
Processor Intel Core i7 10700KF @ 3.8/5.1GHZ
Motherboard ASUS Prime Z490-P Motherboard
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 CPU cooler.
Memory G.Skill Trident Z RGB 64GB (4x16GB) 3600MHz CL16 DDR4
Video Card(s) ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3090 OC 24GB
Storage Samsung 970 PRO M.2 NVMe SSD 1TB
Display(s) Asus ROG PG43UQ 4K UHD 144Hz G-Sync HDR 43in + 2 x ASUS VG258Q FHD 144Hz Freesync 25in Monitor
Case Corsair Obsidian 900D
Audio Device(s) EPOS Sennheiser GSX 1000 V2 amplifier + EPOS Gaming GSP 601 Headset
Power Supply Corsair AX1000 Titanium Modular
Mouse Razer Deathadder
Keyboard Corsair K70.
Software ALL HAIL WINDOWS 10.
Benchmark Scores Old system: http://www.3dmark.com/fs/6805248
Seems like a slight overkill putting that triple slot cooler on the 7970. It's not that toasty of card in the first place.

This ^

haven't gone above 65 degrees with mine.
 
Joined
Nov 18, 2010
Messages
124 (0.02/day)
Location
Stockholm
Processor Intel I7 2600K @ 4.5ghz 1.26
Motherboard Asus P8P67 Deluxe B3
Cooling Corsair H100i
Memory Crucial Ballistix Tracers 1600 cl9
Video Card(s) GTX 580 SLI
Storage Samsung 500gb SSD, WD Caviar Black 500gb HDD
Case Corsair 550D
Power Supply Corsair AX850
Joined
Jun 4, 2011
Messages
431 (0.09/day)
System Name All the Cores ... (VMs)
Processor Ryzen9 5900x
Motherboard Gigabyte X570 Aorus Master (Bios F36c)
Cooling Noctua NH-D15S
Memory TridentZ neo 4x 16gb 3600Mhz C16 (F4-3600C16D-32GTZNC)
Video Card(s) RTX 3070 Ti
Storage 2x Sn750 2TB
Display(s) OPTIX MPG341CQR & LG 32UD60-B
Case CASELABS M8
Power Supply EVGA SuperNOVA g5 750w
Mouse Corsair m65 Pro
Keyboard Corsair K70
Software Windows 10pro/64
Benchmark Scores N/A .. yet updating soon
Yea , I dont ever get the Asus DCU II cards. It only needs to be 2x slots, they did this with the 6970/6950, however their was a 2x slot verson .. why did they go to 3x. They can claim better cooling witch leads too better OC. However, I would like too See any of the Asus DCUII (3x slot) 6950/6970/570/580 out preform MSI Twin Frozor III (2X Slot). It just wont happen.. Asus needs to go back too the drawing board and redo this heatsink.

I will never understand this .. you can get A 6990 or 590 that is 2x gpus that only take 2x slots. Why on earth would you take A 3x slot singal GPU that is not the best or = to others. Hell if you have 2x of these that is six slots ???.

I just dont get it ... I guess if you slap Asus Name on it will sell.

( note: I have nothing against Asus, I do/have owned over 6x Motherboards and 2x GPUs)
 
Joined
Jul 19, 2008
Messages
1,180 (0.20/day)
Location
Australia
Processor Intel i7 4790K
Motherboard Asus Z97 Deluxe
Cooling Thermalright Ultra Extreme 120
Memory Corsair Dominator 1866Mhz 4X4GB
Video Card(s) Asus R290X
Storage Samsung 850 Pro SSD 256GB/Samsung 840 Evo SSD 1TB
Display(s) Samsung S23A950D
Case Corsair 850D
Audio Device(s) Onboard Realtek
Power Supply Corsair AX850
Mouse Logitech G502
Keyboard Logitech G710+
Software Windows 10 x64
The Asus, the MSI lightning, and Sapphire vapourx should be good. I really wish Asus went back to 2 slot cooler.
 
Joined
Dec 28, 2007
Messages
1,368 (0.22/day)
Processor AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE Deneb @ 3.7GHz
Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P
Cooling ZALMAN CNPS9700 CPU Heatsink
Memory OCZ 4GB DDR3 1600 @ 7-7-7-24 1.85v
Video Card(s) ATI Sapphire OC 7850 1200c/5800m @ 64c Full Load
Storage Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB + Western Digital 1TB External Drive
Display(s) SAMSUNG ToC T240 24'' LCD
Case Silverstone FT01-BW
Audio Device(s) Onboard
Power Supply ZALMAN ZM-750
Software Win 7 x64 SP1
curious how well these will overclock on the stock voltage ( the ones they ship with) to see if these are higher binned. otherwise i cant imagine justifying the cost anymore for these huge but no doubt outstanding coolers when you see how well the cheapest sapphire custom dual fan cooler is doing on the 7950
 

the54thvoid

Super Intoxicated Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 14, 2009
Messages
13,121 (2.39/day)
Location
Glasgow - home of formal profanity
Processor Ryzen 7800X3D
Motherboard MSI MAG Mortar B650 (wifi)
Cooling be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
Memory 32GB Kingston Fury
Video Card(s) Gainward RTX4070ti
Storage Seagate FireCuda 530 M.2 1TB / Samsumg 960 Pro M.2 512Gb
Display(s) LG 32" 165Hz 1440p GSYNC
Case Asus Prime AP201
Audio Device(s) On Board
Power Supply be quiet! Pure POwer M12 850w Gold (ATX3.0)
Software W10
Yea , I dont ever get the Asus DCU II cards. It only needs to be 2x slots, they did this with the 6970/6950, however their was a 2x slot verson .. why did they go to 3x....

Because it transforms into an armoured personnel carrier silly...

180c.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:

wolf

Better Than Native
Joined
May 7, 2007
Messages
8,246 (1.28/day)
System Name MightyX
Processor Ryzen 9800X3D
Motherboard Gigabyte X650I AX
Cooling Scythe Fuma 2
Memory 32GB DDR5 6000 CL30
Video Card(s) Asus TUF RTX3080 Deshrouded
Storage WD Black SN850X 2TB
Display(s) LG 42C2 4K OLED
Case Coolermaster NR200P
Audio Device(s) LG SN5Y / Focal Clear
Power Supply Corsair SF750 Platinum
Mouse Corsair Dark Core RBG Pro SE
Keyboard Glorious GMMK Compact w/pudding
VR HMD Meta Quest 3
Software case populated with Artic P12's
Benchmark Scores 4k120 OLED Gsync bliss
I would totally go a DCII card cos they look like the absolute cream of the crop as non reference air cooled cards go, but 3 slots keeps it out of my PC-Q08.... I have to go with the Gigabyte versions because of that. either that or MSI lightning.
 
Joined
Apr 10, 2010
Messages
1,864 (0.35/day)
Location
London
System Name Jaspe
Processor Ryzen 1500X
Motherboard Asus ROG Strix X370-F Gaming
Cooling Stock
Memory 16Gb Corsair 3000mhz
Video Card(s) EVGA GTS 450
Storage Crucial M500
Display(s) Philips 1080 24'
Case NZXT
Audio Device(s) Onboard
Power Supply Enermax 425W
Software Windows 10 Pro
Joined
May 19, 2007
Messages
4,520 (0.70/day)
Location
Perth AU
Processor Intel Core i9 10980XE @ 4.7Ghz 1.2v
Motherboard ASUS Rampage VI Extreme Omega
Cooling EK-Velocity D-RGB, EK-CoolStream PE 360, XSPC TX240 Ultrathin, EK X-RES 140 Revo D5 RGB PWM
Memory G.Skill Trident Z RGB F4-3000C14D 64GB
Video Card(s) Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090 OC WC
Storage M.2 990 Pro 1TB / 10TB WD RED Helium / 3x 860 2TB Evos
Display(s) Samsung Odyssey G7 28"
Case Corsair Obsidian 500D SE Modded
Power Supply Cooler Master V Series 1300W
Software Windows 11
They could of made that a 2 slot after my 3 slot GTX 480s never again.
 

the54thvoid

Super Intoxicated Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 14, 2009
Messages
13,121 (2.39/day)
Location
Glasgow - home of formal profanity
Processor Ryzen 7800X3D
Motherboard MSI MAG Mortar B650 (wifi)
Cooling be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
Memory 32GB Kingston Fury
Video Card(s) Gainward RTX4070ti
Storage Seagate FireCuda 530 M.2 1TB / Samsumg 960 Pro M.2 512Gb
Display(s) LG 32" 165Hz 1440p GSYNC
Case Asus Prime AP201
Audio Device(s) On Board
Power Supply be quiet! Pure POwer M12 850w Gold (ATX3.0)
Software W10

NAVI_Z

New Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2010
Messages
253 (0.05/day)
System Name Gamer Rig
Processor AMD Phenom II X4 965 BE
Motherboard ASUS M4A78T-E
Cooling Corsair H-50 cpu cooler.Kingston Hyper X ram cooler
Memory Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600
Video Card(s) XFX HD 5870 XXX Edition
Storage WD Velociraptor 300gig ; SAmsung Spinpoint 250gig
Display(s) Samsung SyncMaster 2494 24 inch full 1080p
Case NZXT TEMPEST AIRFLOW KING
Audio Device(s) none
Power Supply Kingwin 800w modular
Software Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
what about an aftermarket cooler? maybe waterblock?
 

the54thvoid

Super Intoxicated Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 14, 2009
Messages
13,121 (2.39/day)
Location
Glasgow - home of formal profanity
Processor Ryzen 7800X3D
Motherboard MSI MAG Mortar B650 (wifi)
Cooling be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
Memory 32GB Kingston Fury
Video Card(s) Gainward RTX4070ti
Storage Seagate FireCuda 530 M.2 1TB / Samsumg 960 Pro M.2 512Gb
Display(s) LG 32" 165Hz 1440p GSYNC
Case Asus Prime AP201
Audio Device(s) On Board
Power Supply be quiet! Pure POwer M12 850w Gold (ATX3.0)
Software W10
Joined
Jun 18, 2010
Messages
365 (0.07/day)
Isn't the point of the overkill cooler also it's sound level? I'm pretty sure it's one of the quietest coolers alongside the MSI Lightning.
 

crazyeyesreaper

Not a Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 25, 2009
Messages
9,817 (1.71/day)
Location
04578
System Name Old reliable
Processor Intel 8700K @ 4.8 GHz
Motherboard MSI Z370 Gaming Pro Carbon AC
Cooling Custom Water
Memory 32 GB Crucial Ballistix 3666 MHz
Video Card(s) MSI RTX 3080 10GB Suprim X
Storage 3x SSDs 2x HDDs
Display(s) ASUS VG27AQL1A x2 2560x1440 8bit IPS
Case Thermaltake Core P3 TG
Audio Device(s) Samson Meteor Mic / Generic 2.1 / KRK KNS 6400 headset
Power Supply Zalman EBT-1000
Mouse Mionix NAOS 7000
Keyboard Mionix
the card is silent max temps at 1220mhz Core clock was 70c

its the ONLY CARD WITH A DAMN BACKPLATE

notice everyone with high overclocks is using Asus bios....
the cards $600 $10 cheaper then gigabyte, without the blue pcb,
clocks high already from asus so no fiddling with the bios is necessary
cooler is extremely quiet yet effective

has a heatsink specifically for the VRM / memory along with a seperate heatsink for the GPU die
and its actually 2 1/2 height dave pointed out to me earlier it uses 3 expansion slot brackets but the cards only 2 1/2slots for the cooler

consider my TF III 6950s sagged nearly half an inch the day i got them from cooler weight, Ill gladly take a cooler thats a bit larger but comes with a back plate for support.

soon as its available ill place my order, Ill eventually have 2 of these cards.
 

yangwangbrock

New Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2012
Messages
65 (0.01/day)
Location
Calgary, Alberta
System Name Maximus
Processor Intel I7 2600K
Motherboard Asus Maximus Extreme - Z
Cooling Noctua NH-D14
Memory Corsair Vengeance 16 GB LP
Video Card(s) Asus HD 6970 Direct CU II
Storage Crucial M4 128 GB SSD; Patriot Wildfire 120 GB; Western Digital Black Cavier 1 TB
Display(s) 3 x Dell 2412M
Case Corsair Obsidian 800D
Audio Device(s) Asus Xonar Essence STX
Power Supply Corsair AX 1200
Software Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
Yea , I dont ever get the Asus DCU II cards. It only needs to be 2x slots, they did this with the 6970/6950, however their was a 2x slot verson .. why did they go to 3x. They can claim better cooling witch leads too better OC. However, I would like too See any of the Asus DCUII (3x slot) 6950/6970/570/580 out preform MSI Twin Frozor III (2X Slot). It just wont happen.. Asus needs to go back too the drawing board and redo this heatsink.

I will never understand this .. you can get A 6990 or 590 that is 2x gpus that only take 2x slots. Why on earth would you take A 3x slot singal GPU that is not the best or = to others. Hell if you have 2x of these that is six slots ???.

I just dont get it ... I guess if you slap Asus Name on it will sell.

( note: I have nothing against Asus, I do/have owned over 6x Motherboards and 2x GPUs)

Cannot agree more with this. I returned my direct CU II 6970 card and got 2 MSI Lightning Twin Frozr III in CF. MSI obviously outperforms Asus in terms of cooling - Asus idles at 40 full loads at 70; while MSI cards in CF idles at 40 full loads at 75. Mind you they are in cross fire so the top card does not have very good air flow. It is truly unnecessary to make a 3 slot card, while 2 slot does a better job. So I agree with Neko that Asus should do some serious redesign.
 

crazyeyesreaper

Not a Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 25, 2009
Messages
9,817 (1.71/day)
Location
04578
System Name Old reliable
Processor Intel 8700K @ 4.8 GHz
Motherboard MSI Z370 Gaming Pro Carbon AC
Cooling Custom Water
Memory 32 GB Crucial Ballistix 3666 MHz
Video Card(s) MSI RTX 3080 10GB Suprim X
Storage 3x SSDs 2x HDDs
Display(s) ASUS VG27AQL1A x2 2560x1440 8bit IPS
Case Thermaltake Core P3 TG
Audio Device(s) Samson Meteor Mic / Generic 2.1 / KRK KNS 6400 headset
Power Supply Zalman EBT-1000
Mouse Mionix NAOS 7000
Keyboard Mionix
again MSI cards cool the GPU better but they dont have very good vram or vrm cooling

essentially MSI gives you good core cooling and size but sacrifices vrm and vram cooling

Asus uses a larger cooler but uses a UNISINK for the entire PCB at least on the 7970s
 
Joined
Oct 26, 2011
Messages
3,145 (0.65/day)
Processor 8700k Intel
Motherboard z370 MSI Godlike Gaming
Cooling Triple Aquacomputer AMS Copper 840 with D5
Memory TridentZ RGB G.Skill C16 3600MHz
Video Card(s) GTX 1080 Ti
Storage Crucial MX SSDs
Display(s) Dell U3011 2560x1600 + Dell 2408WFP 1200x1920 (Portrait)
Case Core P5 Thermaltake
Audio Device(s) Essence STX
Power Supply AX 1500i
Mouse Logitech
Keyboard Corsair
Software Win10
I wonder if they are going to make a Matrix version, would be awesome.

This should be the UNISINK


Marvelous
 
Last edited:

bill_d

New Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2008
Messages
35 (0.01/day)
Processor 3930k
Motherboard Asus Rampage lV Extreme
Cooling water
Memory 16gb
Video Card(s) xfx 6970 cf water
Display(s) hp lp3065
Software windows 7 64
hmm from newegg pics


anyone have a idea what the add on heat sink is for
 
Joined
Dec 31, 2009
Messages
19,372 (3.54/day)
Benchmark Scores Faster than yours... I'd bet on it. :)
getting a sample next week for review =)
Cant wait...

though its marketing is hilarious...
The HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP ships tuned to 1000 MHz, 75 MHz up from reference. This boost in clock speeds creates noticeable performance improvement, helping make greater use of the generous 3 GB GDDR5 video memory. The default increase in speed indicates the proprietary ASUS HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP design's amenability to overclocking and performance pushing, making better use of the 384-bit memory interface and PCI Express 3.0 standard, which works at up to twice the speed of PCI Express 2.0.
Considering a reference board/cooled card can do that with no voltage bump... Big whoop.

If it comes out of the box at 1100+.... NOW you are talking. :D
 
Top