Top Video Cards: ASUS annuncia la ROG ARES II Limited Edition

Saranno commercializzati soltanto 1000 esemplari della nuova flag-ship di ASUS tra le video card per utenti enthusiast che appartengono alla linea ROG (Republic Of Gamers), la ARES II. La nuova soluzione di ASUS è realizzata a partire da due GPU Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition di AMD, alle quali il board maker statunitense ha abbinato un frame buffer da 6GB (2 x 3GB) e un bus di interconnessione da 768-bit (2 x 384-bit).

In accordo alle specifiche dichiarate dal costruttore, le due GPU della ARES II lavorano a 1050MHz in termini di base clock e a 1100MHz in termini di boost clock, mentre la memoria on board, implementata con chip di G-DDR5, opera a 6600MHz in valore effettivo o a 1650MHz in valore fisico.

Tra le feature in primo piano di questa scheda, che l'utente può agevolmente overcloccare mediante l'utility ufficiale GPU Tweak ROG Edition inclusa nel bundle del prodotto, un posto di primo piano è certamente occupato dal cooler non reference, che utilizza un design ibrido, dal momento che abbina elementi tipici di un sistema di raffreddamento a liquido ad altri riconducibili invece a un cooler ad aria.

L'effetto netto è una elevatissima efficienza a fronte di una occupazione di spazio molto limitata. A tal proposito ASUS fa riferimento a temperature più basse di 31°C rispetto a quelle ottenibili con un card GeForce GTX 690 reference, nonostante il cooler della card di NVIDIA sia ingombrante quanto quello della ARES II.

La nuova flag-ship di ASUS, che è equipaggiata con un VRM DIGI+ a 20 fasi, assorbe la potenza elettrica dalla PSU mediante tre connettori PCI-Express a 8-pin e invia il segnale in uscita attraverso un connettore di tipo DVI single-link, uno di tipo DVI dual-link e quattro di tipo DisplayPort.

Il vantaggio prestazionale della ARES II sulla soluzione dual-gpu di NVIDIA, la GeForce GTX 690, è pari al 13% in accordo ai dati forniti dalla stessa ASUS. La data di lancio del prodotto non è stata ancora annunciata.

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ASUS ROG presents the fastest and most powerful graphics card currently available in the form of the limited edition ARES II. Its dual HD 7970 GHz Edition GPUs and 6GB GDDR5 support the finest and smoothest PC gaming, with extra-efficient heat dissipation handled by a new hybrid thermal design that includes liquid and air cooling. ARES II fits in a space-saving 2-slot height and employs exclusive ASUS DIGI+ VRM and Super Alloy Power technologies for greater stability and product longevity. The bundled ROG Edition GPU Tweak utility gives customers direct access to graphics card overclocking and tuning, tapping ARES II power via a user-friendly interface.

Continuing the ARES legacy with collectible hardware for enthusiasts
Launched in the summer of 2010, the original ROG ARES provided a new milestone in graphics power that soon became an in-demand commodity among hardware enthusiasts and collectors. ARES II likewise debuts as a limited edition product, with only 1000 units produced. It ships in a special ROG-themed case, with each card featuring a laser-etched serial number on the aluminum backplate to denote its collectible status.

Top of the line gaming power
Within ARES II, twin HD 7970 GHz Edition GPUs provide the fastest graphics performance of any card currently on the market. Its 6GB GDDR5 video memory means smooth high-count framerates in any PC game available or forthcoming in the near future. ARES II presents the current apex of the 28nm generation in terms of graphics processing capabilities, as it can easily take on the most detailed gaming without experiencing any slowdown. The generous video memory allotment translates into support for resolutions higher than 1080p, such as WQHD or 2560 x 1440 and 2560 x 1600.

New hybrid liquid/air thermal design enables maximized performance
ARES II inaugurates a custom cooler that utilizes liquid and air cooling to achieve drastically improved heat dissipation. The hybrid design consists of a 120mm fan block that easily fits in PC cases. The fan cools a closed-cycle liquid system with a tube running to the graphics card to provide dedicated heat removal from the dual GPUs. The card itself includes an 80mm dust-proof fan to enable added cooling for critical components such as video memory and power delivery elements, as well as resist harmful dust and debris accumulation. The new design assures continuous stability even under full load, and achieves up to 31∘C cooler operation compared to a reference GTX 690 while helping outperform said card by as much as 13%. The hybrid cooler saves customers the need to purchase and install additional hardware, which can be costly and risky. ARES II fits in a 2-slot height, making it accessible to most PC cases on the market. The slimmer design also keeps an extra expansion slot free on the motherboard.

DIGI+ VRM, Super Alloy Power, and GPU Tweak harness graphics might
Exclusive ASUS digital voltage regulation technology DIGI+ VRM provides more precise power delivery to bolster graphics card stability and help increase overclocking flexibility. It is joined by 20-phase Super Alloy Power architecture, consisting of heavy duty solid state capacitors, concrete-core chokes, and MOSFETs that can withstand higher temperatures and greater stress. These further improve ARES II stability and prolong its lifespan by as much as 2.5 times compared to reference cards such as the HD 7970 or GTX 690.

Customers may modify card parameters including core and memory speeds, fan performance, and voltages using the bundled ROG Edition GPU Tweak utility, all via a user-friendly interface. Multiple profiles for individual games and applications can also be set up, and GPU Tweak doubles as a monitoring program for keeping an eye on ARES II temperatures and power consumption levels.

Availability and pricing
To be announced closer to product launch and may vary by market. Local ASUS representatives will have all relevant information as it becomes available.

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