We tried what we haven't yet: GTX 680 SLI, GTX 670
Tuning
As promised, we tried to get to the top with the ASUS GTX 680 TOP using the ASUS GPU Tweak utility. The base voltage (minimum voltage) of the GPU was increased to 1,112 V and the Power target was set to a maximum of 159%. Then we started to increase the Boost Clock of the GPU, which almost managed to cross the 1300 MHz dream limit, but Kepler finally showed a stable frequency at 1227/1291 MHz, which can also be considered a very serious tuning potential. Not much could be squeezed out of RAM anymore. Here is the evidence:
Then, of course, we weren’t happy with the overdrive, we also measured a few things with these parameters, so we can compare the numbers by how much the performance has increased compared to the GTX 680 TOP’s factory settings.
Cue
We ran into the GeForce GTX 670 with confidence, expecting a good performance from the second member of the Kepler family. Why? Fortunately, the engineers did not take out the big knife and the ax this time when they started carving the GK104. Only one SMX module was disabled in the GPU, everything else remained, i.e. no change in memory controller, amount of RAM and technological capabilities. This has been achieved in practice, and the scores and FPS values obtained during the measurements speak for themselves.
The reference GTX 670 is roughly 8-10% slower than a reference clock GTX 680, which doesn’t seem like a big difference, especially when you add that the less power it consumes, the less it consumes than the brat. In fact, currently the GeForce GTX 680 and GTX 670 offer the best performance / consumption ratio on the market, meaning NVIDIA with Kepler has made tremendous progress on this line. We can also provide good news about pricing. While the top GeForce GTX 680 isn't very tight today under 145 HUF, the GeForce GTX 000 is already boldly around 670 HUF, which is about 115 HUF for a 000% difference in power difference.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670
Of course, neither amount is enough for a Hungarian to buy a video card, but let's see, this is a favorable offer in this category. On the Radeon line, the performance can be placed a little above the HD 7950, but since the price of the smaller Tahiti has now slipped to around 100 HUF, it is not considered a bad choice either. In fact, the GeForce GTX 000 is easy to judge, if someone doesn't want to spend $ 670 on the GTX 150, or thinks it's not worth $ 000 for a 680% extra power (there's something in it), feel free to choose the GTX 30, as we only get a much slower video card that offers the same level of technology and features. Therefore, the GTX 670 is recommended.
The GIGABYTE GTX 670 (GV-N670OC-2GD) arrived first and established a good relationship. The reserves inherent in the GTX 670 and the attitude of GIGABYTE are well exemplified by the fact that the manufacturer only offers a factory-overdriven model to customers, meaning we get some extra cocoa right from the moment of purchase. Plus, we’re dealing with our own printed circuit board that has the proven 3-fan Windforce 3X Triangle Cool cooling on it.
GIGABYTE GTX 670 OC - GV-N670OC 2GD
This clearly gives us a more efficient and quieter system than the reference solution. GIGABYTE currently associates a very friendly price with its single GTX 670, despite the unique PCB, unique cooling and tuning, the GV-N670OC-2GD is one of the cheapest GTX 670s, already available in several places around 115 HUF. you can catch him. In light of this, there is no question that We recommend the purchase of GIGABYTE GTX 670 OC (GV-N670OC-2GD).
The ASUS GTX 670 TOP (GTX670-DC2T-2GD5) is a rugged copy that brings no shame to the ASUS TOP series, which is always the most overclocked card within the company (except for the ROG line). They worked here according to a well-proven recipe: they designed their own PCB, put on it the further improved 2-slot DirectCU II cooling, filled it with a backplate plate, and then hard-jerked the GPU clock.
ASUS GTX 670 TOP - GTX670-DC2T-2GD5
As a result, the GTX 670 TOP offers virtually the performance of a reference GTX 680, with less power consumption and much less cost, as the ASUS GTX 670 TOP can be pinched around 130 HUF, while the GTX 000 is not very much 680 HUF under. Although much more expensive than a field GTX 145, the GTX 000’s level-of-performance and good cooling make things easier, In light of all this, the ASUS GTX 670 TOP (GTX670-DC2T-2GD5) is also recommended.
No doubt, the king of our test is the ASUS GTX 680 TOP (GTX680-DC2T-2GD5). Unique PCB, huge 2,5-slot DirectCU II cooling, strong tuning at the factory. The GTX 680 TOP is one of the fastest GTX 680s on the market and, as we have proven, still holds significant reserves. As long as the cooling and GPU can withstand, the MHz can be increased. After such a shown form, it is not surprising that the price of the ASUS GTX 680 TOP should also be searched high, around 165 HUF, which means an additional 000-15 HUF compared to a field GTX 20.
ASUS GTX 680 TOP - GTX680-DC2T-2GD5
Whether it’s worth the plus or not is up to everyone to decide for themselves (essentially at such heights it almost doesn’t matter if it’s 150 or 165), the fact is that we get paid for our money. The ASUS GTX 680 TOP is certified as a test winner, in addition to winning our favor. You don't have to say a lot about the GTX 680 SLI, if you want the highest possible performance from two cards, you can think of two GTX 680s, all you have to do is knock around 300 HUF on the table.
The GIGABYTE GTX 670 OC video card is available at From GIGABYTE's domestic office, while the ASUS GTX 680 TOP, ASUS GTX 680 and ASUS GTX 670 TOP models are From your ASUS home office we got it for testing, thank you!
The article was written by: Zoltán Mihics (med1on) and Gábor Pintér (pgabi123)
