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ASUS Launches the Radeon HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP Graphics Card

News Editor: Tony Le Bourne Date: 03-02-2012 [ Print | 4 comment(s) ] Discuss in Forums

ASUS announce the release of their AMD Radeon HD 7970 and 7950 pre overclocked TOP graphics cards using the DirectCU II cooler.

PRESS RELEASE

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.

Tagged as: asus, amd, 7000, radeon, 7970, tahiti, top, DirectCU II

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ASUS Launches the Radeon HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP Graphics Card

Suicidal Zebra
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#23096 Posted on: 03.02.2012 15:03:52

That's a damn meaty aftermarket cooler, triple slot designs are always going to be a little marmite. I'd wager that it's capable of awesome cooling performance, but the question is just how thermally limited the 7970's are in overclocking, or whether the bottlekneck to >1.2GHz lies in other areas.

Even so, hopefully it'll be capable of reaching the limit of the card in a quiet fashion, something which the stock coolers have had difficulty with whilst still being vastly better than the previous generation.

ASUS Launches the Radeon HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP Graphics Card

PCplod
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#23099 Posted on: 03.02.2012 15:34:01

I think MSI's coolers are better, it seems they fit everything the ASUS cards do in 1 slot less space, like the actual size of the radiator with the heatpipes and the hotplate. And from benchmarks and reviews it doesnt look like one is better than the other for heat/noise and both look very good.

From pictures and reviews it looks like what makes the Asus 3 slots is the actual fans being wider and more spacing from the floor of the card to the start of the radiator, the MSI fans are allot more thin and petrude out the shroud a tiny bit, and have got the radiator very close to the card with not allot of space with a good heatpipe design.

But the new ASUS cards DC2 cooler could perform better and be noticeably quieter than before and the MSI's Twin Frozer this time around, Im sure there will be a few face off's when they are both out though so we'll find out lol.

ASUS Launches the Radeon HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP Graphics Card

I3R0K3N7FEET
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#23122 Posted on: 04.02.2012 03:37:05

I agree, generally the twin frozrs are better imo. the only thing I really like about the asus cards are the awsum backplate as they look sweeet, and maybe the quality pcb design, but other brands PCBs are just as good. also as seen with the powercolor pcs+ there is more to a good graphics card that a mobo breaking cooler.

ASUS Launches the Radeon HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP Graphics Card

PCplod
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Posts: 599
Joined: 2011-10-13

#23134 Posted on: 04.02.2012 11:34:25

yh thats actually 1 thing I was surprised my twin frozer card didnt have when I got it, even looked for a backplate to buy but its no ta reference PCB so obviously couldnt, thats 1 thing MSI could improve on, although may bump up the price a little.

I just think to warrant an extra slot of space the Asus DC2 coolers need to perform better and be more quiet.
I think they should go back the the drawing board and design a new heatsink, because as it is Im pretty sure the MSI cards have bigger surface area and heatsink that is thicker and goes across the whole card.
Were as the DC2 has 2 separate heatsinks which have less surface area and dont span across the entire card.

Nothing against the Asus cards though, I just think if they forgot about their heatsink design now and re designed it still with the 3 slots it would be a beast and more than warrent having 3 slots space.