Over the weekend, MSI launched a factory-overclocked variant of its GeForce GTX 560 SE graphics card (model: N560GTX-SE-M2D1GD5/OC). Designed identical to the card MSI started its GTX 560 SE lineup with, the OC model features out of the box clock speeds of 750/1500/957(3828) MHz core/CUDA cores/memory(effective), against reference clock speeds of 736/1472/957(3828) MHz. The card packs a custom-design PCB that makes use of copperMOS, and a custom-design cooler that uses two fans to ventilate a large aluminum fin heatsink fed by copper heat pipes. The card features 288 CUDA cores, and 1 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 192-bit wide memory interface. Expect this card to cost under $200.

Today, Sparkle announced the launch of GeForce GTX 560 SE graphics card aiming at midrange market. As the most expected superstar product for mainstream market in the first half of this year, this card features a mature 40 nm GF114 GPU, delivering the ultimate next generation gaming experience. The excellent performance not only leads over similar competing products, but also shows no way inferior to GeForce 5 series. Now is the perfect time to upgrade your graphics card at a surprisingly affordable price!

Here are some of the first pictures of Inno3D GeForce GTX 560 SE. Inno3D implemented NVIDIA's new SKU that's competitive with Radeon HD 7700 series, by designing a compact graphics card that's backed by relatively-powerful cooling. The PCB is very short (good for compact cases), and uses a simple 4+1 phase VRM to power the card. It features 1 GB of GDDR5 memory sitting on a 192-bit wide memory interface. The GTX 560 SE packs 288 CUDA cores, and clock speeds of 776/1553/953 MHz (core/CUDA cores/memory actual). Inno3D GeForce GTX 560 SE is cooled by a custom dual-slot cooling solution. This cooler makes use of two aluminum fin stacks, to which heat is conveyed by four 8 mm-thick nickel-plated copper heat pipes. The fin stacks are then ventilated by two 80 mm fans. The card has been tested at the source.

ZOTAC International, a global innovator of graphics cards, mainboards and mini-PCs, today announces the GeForce GTX 560 SE. The new ZOTAC GeForce GTX 560 SE gives gamers a taste of stunning 1080p gaming on a budget.

"1080p resolution displays and Microsoft DirectX 11-enabled titles are affordable and become quite popular among gamers. Our new ZOTAC GeForce GTX 560 SE provides an excellent value for gamers that want to get their feet wet with 1080p and DirectX 11 gaming," said Carsten Berger, marketing director, ZOTAC International.

Yeston unveiled the GeForce GTX 560 SE GameMaster graphics card. The Chinese AIC partner went completely out-of-specifications with its new card, and delivered what's essentially a GeForce GTX 560 (non-Ti). While the GTX 560 SE is supposed to have 288 CUDA cores, the GTX 560 SE GameMaster has 336 (same as GTX 560), and we suspect 256-bit wide memory interface (although it's marked 192-bit). If Yeston was piggy-backing two memory chips over single 32-bit wide paths, the piggy-backed chips would be on the reverse side of the PCB, not obverse. The card is clocked at 820/1640/1002 MHz (core/CUDA cores/memory).

The Yeston GeForce GTX 560 SE GameMaster features a 7-phase VRM design. The VRM makes use of NEC-TOKIN Proadlizer capacitors to deliver the cleanest power to the GPU. It is cooled by Arctic Accelero TwinTurbo Pro VGA cooler, which is renowned for top-class cooling and quietness. Display outputs include two DVI and a mini-HDMI. The card is priced at 999 RMB (US $158.45), in China.

Even as NVIDIA is inching towards the launch of its next-generation GeForce GTX 670 Ti, it is rushing out the GeForce GTX 560 SE to stem loss in competitiveness to the Radeon HD 7770. Galaxy is readying a compact, cost-effective graphics card based on the new GPU, which is pictured below. Based on the 40 nm GF114 GPU (variant: GF114-200-KB-A1), the GTX 560 SE features 288 CUDA cores, 48 TMUs, 24 ROPs, and a 192-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 1 GB [(4x 1 Gbit)+(2x 2 Gbit)] of GDDR5 memory.

Galaxy's card uses a short PCB, its VRM area has been pushed to the front of the card, consisting of a 4+1 phase design. It draws power from two 6-pin power connectors. The card is cooled by a compact aluminum-fin heatsink to which heat is conveyed by copper heat pipes, and ventilated by a big (80 mm) fan. Chinese site QK123 put the card through a few synthetic benchmarks, measured power-draw, and OC performance. The GPU-Z screenshot reveals its reference speed.Benchmarks follow.

For an immediate relief from the market-threat looming in the sub-$200 segment with the introduction of AMD's Radeon HD 7770, NVIDIA is planning to carve out a new SKU based on the 40 nm GF114 GPU, the GeForce GTX 560 SE. The new SKU will be positioned below the GeForce GTX 560 (non-Ti), and target price-points well within $200. The new SKU is identical to the OEM-only model GeForce GTX 555. Its specifications follow:

• Based on 40 nm GF114 ASIC
• 288 CUDA cores
• 48 TMUs, 24 ROPs
• 192-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface
• 1 GB standard memory amount (asymmetric memory chip arrangement à la GTX 550 Ti)
• Clock speeds: 776 MHz core; 1553 MHz CUDA cores; 952 MHz (3.828 GHz effective) memory, 92 GB/s memory bandwidth